Combatting the critics: how to manage when your comms are challenged

Groups working for equality and justice can face resistance from those who prefer the status quo, and it can be tough to know where to start to effectively manage your challengers. But to achieve your mission, you don’t want to either ignore your critics or be paralysed by fear of what they might say next.

This session will support you to collectively work through the dilemmas you might face in effectively communicating your message in highly contested environments.

Join us on Wednesday 9 November at 10am for this two-hour masterclass with Communications Coach Sho Walker-Konno. We will cover some communications scenarios that small-to-medium equalities organisations might face, such as hostile media, disinformation, online trolls, etc., and there will also be time to troubleshoot specific scenarios raised by participants.

The session will involve interactive exercises and discussions, so having a computer which you can type on and a quiet room where you can speak on microphone are recommended.

In this masterclass you will learn:

• How to diagnose and prioritise a communications ‘threat’

• The external and internal impact of having challengers (including internal staff/volunteer care)

• How to make decisions about whether and how to respond – tactics for the short-term

• Preparation for next time – strategies for dealing with challengers in the long-term

About your trainer:

Sho Walker-Konno is a communications coach for activists. He has coached activists in 70+ countries, including migration, climate, and gender justice groups in the UK. Sho helps groups low in time and budget to navigate the sometimes overwhelming world of communications, from the strategic questions of narratives and comms infrastructure to the day-to-day tactics necessary to get into the media or handle online disinformation.

http://showalkerkonno.com/

Level: Intermediate

This session is aimed at charity professionals in the equalities sector who work in a communications, media, social media, campaigning or a strategy role.

Please note that places will be served on a first come first served basis.

Zoom details will be sent via an email ahead of the masterclass.