When the unexpected hits, the first 60 minutes decide everything.
In those moments, instinct kicks in but instinct without a plan can quickly unravel.
That’s why I run “first hour” drills with leadership teams.
We walk through what to do minute by minute: fact-checking, activating the right people, monitoring, and getting clear messages out fast.
It’s not theory. It’s practice.
Because in a real crisis, you don’t rise to the occasion you fall back on your training.
👉 Curious what that looks like? This is the blueprint I use to help leaders prepare.
The first hour crisis blueprint
What to do when the clock starts…
- 0–10 mins Check facts from source. No speculation
- 10–20 mins Initiate Crisis Management team, brief Crisis Comms agency and switch on social media monitoring.
- 20–30 mins Agree and issue holding statement.
- 30–45 mins Draft follow up internal and external comms (concise, clear, calm).
- 45–60 mins Issue updated comms.
Act Now Debrief later
