Crisis Compass
How to Communicate When It Matters Most
by Michele Ehrhart
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Pub Date Sep 02 2025 | Archive Date Sep 02 2025
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Description
Crisis is inevitable. Chaos is not.
Every organization will face a crisis―whether it’s an executive scandal, a cybersecurity breach, workplace violence, or a PR disaster. The difference between brands that survive and those that collapse is simple: The ones that prepare, win.
In Crisis Compass, crisis communications expert Michele Ehrhart pulls back the curtain on what truly separates effective leaders from those who crack under pressure. Drawing on decades of high-stakes experience―including managing crises for one of the world’s largest global corporations―Ehrhart delivers a practical, no-nonsense road map for leaders, PR professionals, and executives who want to stay ahead of the storm.
Inside, you’ll learn:
- the fatal flaws in crisis plans―why most organizations fail when it matters most;
- crisis drills and rehearsals―the real reason your team thinks it’s ready (but isn’t);
- the 24-hour rule―how to control the narrative before the crisis controls you;
- silence vs. speed―why sometimes, saying nothing is the smartest move;
- social media strategy―how to handle misinformation, leaks, and public panic; and
- what comes after the fire―post-crisis strategies to rebuild trust and reputation.
Using compelling, real-world case studies―including firsthand experience from corporate crises that made global headlines―Ehrhart gives leaders the exact strategies they need to think, respond, and lead under pressure. Whether you’re a business executive, PR strategist, or crisis communicator, Crisis Compass will transform the way you approach high-stakes moments.
Featured Reviews
Florence R, Reviewer
Copy of my GoodReads review. First ARC so far that I am going to buy when it gets out. Truly amazing work.
Michelle Ehrhart packed a wealth of information and wisdom in just 100 pages.
This book was everything I expect from a management book:
- well-written and easy to read, without tangents but with plenty of relatable examples
- informative and based on real-life experience from an extremely experienced leader
- adaptable to many industries and cultures (it did not feel US centric at all)
- encouraging the reader to immediately apply what they learned, as well as learn more about the topic
No matter where you work, at some point, there will be a crisis.
It can take many shapes and forms, from a key employee resigning to an active shooter in the office. We all think that we know what to do when disaster strikes, but we truly do not. Do you remember the last time one of your friends lost someone close to them? How hard it was to find the right thing to say? Crisis communication looks like this, but with a wide audience and very high business stakes. The rest of your career might depend on the decisions you make during the "golden hour", the few hours or days after the crisis. And it is not only about the decisions, it is about you communicate them and help the others navigate a difficult situation.
This book is organized in short chapters (around 10 pages) that are absolutely perfect for those 15 minutes you never quite do anything with. You can get a daily nugget of crisis management wisdom while in the metro, or in between two meetings at work. That is brilliant. It makes the book extremely portable. No need for long reading sessions or intense concentration. This will be a perfect companion for a busy manager willing to learn more about the topic.
If there is one chapter I have to highlight, it is the one about Strategic Silence. Too many people forget that silence is part of communication. Remaining silent about a topic, for a while or for ever, can be a valid strategic choice. You do not need to rush into a speech because people are trying to get information out of you. We need to be reminded of that more often. Silence is not about shutting down. It can be about listening, gathering information, or providing space for others who have a more legitimate voice than yours in the situation.
5 well-deserved stars. I am planning to buy this book when it gets published. It will live permanently on my desk at work.
Thank you Michele Ehrhart for an incredibly efficient and useful crisis communication manual.
And thank you #NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.
