HRM / OB Case Study

Communicating In Crisis Times: Lessons from Barack Obama

OR

Abstract:
This case was written primarily to highlight the importance of communication especially during times of crisis. The 2008 US Financial Crisis is being considered as the worst crisis the world has ever seen since the Great Depression. At such a crucial stage, Barack Obama (Obama) became the 44th President of the US on January 20th 2009. His communication techniques and ability to get his thoughts across effectively was considered as one the key factors, which helped him win the presidential elections. ‘Yes we can’, ‘Hope’, ‘Change’, these are just some of the words with which he awed his supporters and the public and helped them believe that the crisis can be overcome. However, dealing with the crisis will require more than just great speeches. Can Obama pull the US out of the crisis considering the magnitude? Can he sustain the hope given by him to the citizens of the US or will his charisma soon fade away? What lessons can Obama learn from leaders of the past who have dealt with such crises?

Pedagogical Objectives:

• To understand different types of crises and analyse the psychology of bad times
• To examine and debate on the role of the leadership in managing the crisis
• To debate on the different types of crisis management tools that should be used during crisis time, especially depending on the nature of the crisis as discussed in pedagogical objective No. 1
• To examine and evaluate Barack Obama as an effective crisis communicator and debate on the efficiency of the crisis communication tools he used
• To reflect on the historical lessons from the earlier and major crises from the vantage point of view of communicating through those crises.

Keywords :  Organizational Communication, Internal Communication, External Communication, Leadership, Level 5 Leadership, Leadership Traits, Leadership Types, Are Leaders Born or Made?, Understanding Leadership, Leadership Theories, Behavioral Theories, Contingency Theories, Leadership Skills, Determinants of Leadership, Challenges to Leadership, Leader Vs Manager, US Presidents, Managing Crisis, Crisis Communication