Checkmate: judgement and planning in crisis

The venerable art (or science?) of chess can teach us a lot about crisis communications

 
Imagine that you are suffering from a serious illness. The doctor suggests taking a new drug. Naturally, you expect your doctor to suggest a remedy, the effects of which have been scientifically researched. Another scenario: I’m sitting down with the CEO. He’s in hot water; everything is at risk of going down in the crossfire of public criticism. We discuss position and communication; we decide on this, and reject that. In the end, my boss, who has by now calmed down a little, says: “what are we going to tell the board when they ask us why we recommended this plan?”

Rudi Schmidt

Rudi Schmidt has been executive vice president corporate communications and marketing at helathcare provider Asklepios Kliniken since 2006. He is also director corporate communications at Bechtle from 2002. Prior to this he was head of press for debitel. He is a graduate from the University of Würzburg.