You're facing a hostile journalist during a sports crisis. How do you handle the interview with finesse?

Crisis communications are always challenging. One of the most important things to do is to ensure you have settled talking points before the interview and stick to those in the interview. Stakeholders (leadership including legal) need to have signed off on those points prior to the interview. During the interview, make sure to maintain composure and stay on topic. Controlling the narrative is essential to protect your organization.

Facing a hostile journalist during a sports crisis, I handle the interview with a calm and strategic approach. I stay composed, stick to key messages, and focus on factual information. I actively listen and acknowledge concerns without getting defensive. By steering the conversation towards positive actions and solutions, I aim to manage the narrative effectively. If needed, I respectfully redirect questions to ensure our key points are communicated. My goal is to maintain professionalism while addressing the crisis transparently.

La preparación no solo te protege contra sorpresas desagradables, sino que también te empodera para improvisar cuando sea necesario, mostrando liderazgo y responsabilidad. Estrategias: - Reúne todos los hechos y detalles posibles - Anticípate a las preguntas difíciles: - Ensaya tus respuestas y plan alternativo - Mantén siempre calma y compostura - Ten preparados algunos mensajes clave que desees comunicar, independientemente de las preguntas. - Muestra Empatía y Transparencia

As a sports management professional, I've learned that facing a hostile journalist during a crisis requires a blend of preparation and poise. I always start by taking a deep breath and reminding myself to stay calm. I listen carefully to each question, responding with facts rather than emotion. I've found that acknowledging concerns while bridging to key messages is crucial. I never let myself get baited into arguments, instead focusing on solutions and next steps. Honesty is paramount - if I don't know something, I say so and promise to follow up. Above all, I remember that how I handle these moments can significantly impact the organization's reputation. It's not just about weathering the storm, but demonstrating leadership and integrity.

1- Stay Calm and Centered 2- Active Listening 3- Bridge Techniques: - Use bridging phrases to steer the conversation back to your key messages. 4- Stick to Key Messages 5- Redirect Negative Questions 6- Body Language and Tone 7- Avoid "No Comment": - Instead of saying "no comment," provide a brief, neutral response: - "I understand your curiosity, but I can't discuss that at this time." - "We're actively addressing the situation." 8- Bridge to the Future

Claves: - Un buen líder sabe que gestionar y controlar sus emociones es esencial para mantener la compostura en situaciones de alta presión. - Proyecta confianza y control corporal y tono de voz - Respira profundamente si es necesario, haz pausas (silencios deliberados) - Tómate tu tiempo al responder. Hablar de manera pausada y deliberada te ayuda a comunicarte con claridad y precisión. - Mantener la calma a menudo desarma la agresividad del periodista. - Mantén el enfoque en las soluciones y las acciones que estás tomando para resolver la crisis. Esto refuerza tu liderazgo y demuestra que estás tomando medidas proactivas para abordar el problema, desviando la atención de la confrontación hacia la resolución.

Staying calm and composed is key. Focus on the question, not the tone, and paraphrase for clarity. Acknowledge concerns to show you are listening, but steer the conversation back to your key messages. Use confident body language, take your time to respond thoughtfully, and always end on a positive note. Controlling the narrative while actively listening is crucial in turning a tough interview into an opportunity to reinforce your message.

Dos de las acciones claves: - Observa las Se?ales No Verbales: La escucha activa también implica leer el lenguaje corporal y las expresiones faciales del periodista. Estas se?ales no verbales pueden proporcionarte pistas sobre sus verdaderas intenciones y estados emocionales. Al comprender mejor su perspectiva, puedes adaptar tus respuestas de manera más efectiva. - Comprende el Contexto Completo: Resiste la tentación de interrumpir, incluso cuando creas tener la respuesta. Permitir que el periodista complete sus preguntas te da una visión más completa del contexto y te ayuda a evitar malentendidos. Además, muestra que estás dispuesto a escuchar y considerar su punto de vista.

Dos estrategias que considero fundamentales: - Define tus mensajes clave. Antes de la entrevista, identifica los mensajes clave que deseas comunicar. Estos deben reflejar la posición de tu entidad deportiva y abordar los aspectos más importantes de la crisis. Tener claros estos mensajes te ayudará a mantenerte enfocado durante la entrevista. - Utiliza anclajes de comunicación. Usa anclajes de comunicación para reiterar tus mensajes clave. Estos anclajes pueden incluir datos concretos, citas relevantes o ejemplos claros que apoyen tus puntos principales y refuercen tu narrativa.

When dealing with a hostile journalist, it's imperative to give as little information as you can. They will try to twist your words with anything you say that's different messaging than previously or can be spun into a larger story. If you're in a sports crisis, then the organization will likely already have a statement and message prepared. Don't stray from your key messaging, bring the focus back to what you want when the conversation runs awry, and avoid giving more info on the subject than necessary.

Offer honest and straightforward answers, but avoid speculation or sharing unverified information.Transparency builds trust, but it's important to be careful about what you disclose. If certain details are still being investigated, it’s okay to say so.

1. Stay Calm: Maintain composure, regardless of the journalist's tone. 2. Listen: Allow the journalist to express their concerns, which shows respect. 3. Acknowledge: Validate their feelings without admitting fault. 4. Stick to Facts: Provide clear, factual information and prepare key messages. 5. Be Transparent: Share what steps are being taken to address the crisis. 6. Control the Narrative: Redirect to positive developments and solutions. 7. Avoid Defensiveness: Respond with professionalism, not argumentation. 8. Know Boundaries: Politely decline to answer inappropriate questions. 9. Follow Up: Issue a statement to clarify any misunderstandings. 10. Prepare for Future: Reflect on the interview for improvement.

As a journalist, we have to respect when an interviewee responds with “no comment.” Instead of getting into an argument or feeding off of emotions, simply answer, “I’m not answering that question at this time. Do you have any other appropriate questions I can answer?” It’s professional and diverts it back to the journalist. You can’t control how they will respond, but you won’t have to be concerned with how you answered or reacted.