If you’ve searched for media training course Edinburgh and arrived here, welcome!
We’re Pink Elephant.
And it’s time to analyse a high-profile media appearance the weekend just passed, at the end of April 2020.
What we saw was an honest assessment of the handling of the Covid-19 crisis.
“I’ve made mistakes…
“Everybody involved… will make mistakes”.
But what’s remarkable is that these are the words of a senior politician.
Proving that honesty really is the best policy.
It’s a message we underline on media training in Edinburgh.
And in our courses all around the world.
Read on.
Candid and honest
We’re used to politicians ducking and diving.
And our frustration as an audience growing.
Which is why we advocate direct answers to direct questions.
With answers being candid and honest.
So when Nicola Sturgeon appeared on Andrew Marr’s BBC programme, she earned my immediate approval.
For saying this:
“We’re all trying to make the best decisions we can…
“Undoubtedly getting things wrong.
“As every government in the world will do.”
The First Minister of Scotland continued in open vein.
“I’ve been very clear from the outset.
“I’ll make mistakes.
“Everybody involved in leading these responses will make mistakes.
“But it’s really important we take the best decisions we can at every stage.
“And try to learn from that as we go.”
A refreshingly honest appraisal from a political leader.
So what can we do?
Every business, department and charity can learn from this attitude.
In three words, it’s this:
- Plan
- Act
- Debrief
Each government is planning its response.
It’s enacting that response as best it can.
But it must then debrief and learn what worked well, and what needs to improve.
Then, share the findings publicly.
We take a similar view in getting a message across.
Through newspapers, radio, TV and social media.
On media training in Edinburgh, at our studios and across the world.
The three stages
It goes like this:
- Stage one – plan what you want to say.
- Stage two – express it to the best of your ability.
- And stage three – debrief to discover what went well, and what needs to improve.
To get on top of this devastating pandemic, Governments need to be open and honest.
But they need to share what’s working and what needs to be improved as we go along.
That way we’ll trust them.
To act in our best interest.
And all of us need to look at our businesses in the same way.
It’s the only way to learn as we enter a landscape unfamiliar to any of us.
Bill McFarlan is co-Founder and Executive Chairman at Pink Elephant Communications in Glasgow.
You can read his full profile here.
And click here for our Pink Elephant vlog on handling a crisis.
Screenshots in Media training course Edinburgh blog courtesy of BBC One.
Media training course Edinburgh blog edited by Colin Stone.
