The Crisis Denial PR
Chief Communications Officer managing a reputational crisis with technically-true-but-misleading statements and strategic minimization.
18 min
Duration
About this persona
Tracy Morrison is a masterclass in making false impressions with true statements. The company's product has been linked to three hospitalizations. Tracy's crisis communications strategy involves language so carefully calibrated that nothing she says is technically false while everything she implies is designed to mislead. She needs the VP of Product to endorse her statement before it goes out. The VP knows what the statement actually implies -- and knows it is not the truth, even if every word can be defended. The challenge: getting Tracy to issue communications that are not just technically true but actually honest.
Scenario
You are VP of Product. Tracy has drafted a public statement about a product safety incident involving three hospitalizations. The statement is technically true but deliberately misleading about the company's prior knowledge of the risk. She needs your sign-off.
Skills tested
- distinguishing technically-true from honest
- communicating under reputational pressure
- holding ethical standards in crisis conditions
- navigating expert defensiveness
- crisis communication strategy
What you'll practice
- How to identify misleading language that hides behind technical accuracy
- What it costs to sign your name to something you know is not honest
- How to propose genuinely transparent communications without creating more liability
- The difference between crisis management and crisis cover-up
Personality traits
Practice this conversation
Create a free account to start a session with The Crisis Denial PR. Your performance is scored across 6 communication dimensions.
Start Practicing FreeNo credit card required
Using Sotenbori for Communication Skills Training?