LEAP into READINESS: Annual CCTT U.S. gathering navigates new horizons for crisis management

On April 11, the Crisis Communication Think Tank (CCTT) hosted its 7th annual U.S. Headquarters meeting at the University of Georgia’s Grady College. Bringing together more than 20 leading scholars and practitioners, the event centered on this year’s theme: LEAP—an acronym representing Leadership, Evaluation, Alignment, and Precision in crisis management. Throughout the day, attendees engaged in four in-depth sessions exploring each pillar, culminating in breakout discussions that encouraged deeper collaboration and idea sharing.

Leadership

The first session of the day addressed the theme of Leadership. The speakers, Jason Anthoine, Timothy Coombs, and Keri Stephens emphasized the importance of courageous leadership during crises and the reality of “courage fatigue.” They discussed building trust, embedding leadership at all levels, and identifying internal influencers to strengthen response efforts. The speakers also highlighted the value of clear communication, vulnerable leadership, and staying curious and adaptable, especially when using tools like AI in crisis planning.

Evaluation

The next session discussed Evaluation and was led by Curt Harris, Glen Nowak, and Amitabh Verma. They explored how organizations can measure the effectiveness of crisis communication through exercises, after-action reports, and dynamic evaluation. They emphasized that real learning happens when participants are encouraged to ask questions, test assumptions, and engage with feedback. Building a culture where all voices feel empowered to speak up was seen as key to READINESS. The speakers also stressed hands-on learning, critical thinking, and the importance of teaching students that perfection is unrealistic. Data literacy, practical application, and mixed methods research were highlighted as essential tools for both students and professionals navigating real-world crises.

Alignment
Led by Patrick Conner, Jason Epstein, and Mike Pfarrer, the Alignment session underscored the critical need for strategic cohesion across departments and stakeholders during crises. The speakers highlighted how aligned messaging and coordinated action plans can reduce confusion, improve stakeholder confidence, and strengthen organizational resilience. They discussed the importance of creating systems that foster alignment in values, purpose, and objectives—especially during high-stakes decision-making moments. Attendees reflected on how internal alignment between leadership, communication teams, and operational arms is essential to ensure timely and effective responses, particularly in complex or evolving scenarios.

Precision
The Precision session, led by Kate LaVail, James Ndone, and Russ Williams, emphasized that precision in crisis communication is an ongoing, human-centered process—especially in an era shaped by AI and rapid information flow. Speakers highlighted the need to thoughtfully prepare inputs to guide meaningful outcomes, prioritize clarity over perfection, and balance speed with accuracy. They discussed the importance of audience empathy, cultural awareness, and cross-functional collaboration, noting that precision is less about flawless execution and more about intentional decision-making under pressure.

As the day concluded, attendees expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage in rich discussions and explore new perspectives at the intersection of scholarship and practice. The 2024 CCTT U.S. HQ event reaffirmed the power of collaborative thinking in advancing the field of crisis communication. By focusing on Leadership, Evaluation, Alignment, and Precision, participants left with renewed insight—and practical strategies—to help organizations LEAP forward with greater resilience and purpose in times of crisis.

Authors:

• NaYoung Song, nysong@uga.edu
• Lila Maiolo, lila.maiolo@uga.edu