5 Things You Need to Create A Highly Successful Career in Crisis Communications

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John Davies, CEO Davies

 

Crisis communications is a vital field that helps organizations navigate and manage challenging situations, protecting their reputation and maintaining public trust. The role requires a unique blend of strategic thinking, quick decision-making, and effective communication skills. What does it take to excel in this high-pressure field? How do professionals prepare for and manage crises effectively? As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing John Davies.

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John Davies clearly understands the business of persuasion and constantly searches for new trends and methods. He applies his lifelong study of human behavior and effective communications strategies to influence how to get attention and gain influence in today’s complex information saturated decision-making process. The growth of Davies into a national powerhouse firm was never the goal, but a by-product of attracting the best talent. John takes on a unique role as a CEO by investing his time and experience to hands-on analysis, strategy, and messaging. He leaves the day-to-day corporate operations to professional managers, allowing him to instead focus on the firm’s clients. Clearly this strategy has yielded great results: Davies has been awarded “Public Affairs Agency of the Year,” and named “Best Agency to Work” in several categories for the past 6 years including overall “Best U.S. Consultancy to Work For.” PRWeek ranks Davies amongst the top 25 national PR firms.

Thank you so much for your time! I know that you are a very busy person.

 

Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

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Growing up, I was always fascinated by how communication could shape opinions, influence decisions, and bring about change. In college, I majored in political science and started working on grassroots campaigns. I quickly realized that effective storytelling wasn’t just a tool for politics; it could help businesses, nonprofits, and individuals build trust and drive meaningful action. Founding Davies Public Affairs allowed me to combine my passion for strategy and storytelling with a mission to help clients navigate complex challenges, especially in crisis situations. The idea of being a trusted partner in moments of uncertainty drew me to this career path.

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Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began at your company?

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One of the most interesting moments was when we helped a client facing backlash over an environmental project. Community protests had escalated to the point of halting operations. We led a series of listening sessions, which revealed key misconceptions about the project. By collaborating with community leaders and crafting a transparent communication strategy, we turned public sentiment around. Months later, a community leader who initially opposed the project thanked us for helping everyone see the bigger picture. That moment reinforced the power of dialogue and genuine engagement in building bridges where there are divides.

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Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

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Early in my career, I once mistakenly sent a draft press release — complete with internal comments and edits — to a journalist. While it wasn’t catastrophic, the journalist got a glimpse into our internal processes, including some lighthearted jokes about wording choices. They found it amusing, but I was mortified. The lesson? Always triple-check what you’re sending and know that professionalism matters in every detail. It also taught me to embrace humility in the face of mistakes — it’s often better to own up and laugh at yourself than to overreact.

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What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

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Currently, we’re working on a groundbreaking renewable energy initiative, guiding the public discourse around a project that has national implications. Additionally, we’re partnering with a nonprofit to address homelessness through an awareness campaign that highlights solutions and mobilizes resources. Each of these projects is exciting because they’re not just about managing communications — they’re about shaping narratives that can drive real change in communities. Watching our strategies influence public opinion in such impactful ways is both rewarding and humbling.

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Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success?

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1. Empathy: Understanding others’ perspectives is the cornerstone of public affairs. For example, when navigating a controversial community project, taking the time to listen genuinely helped us build trust and find common ground.

2. Resilience: Crisis communication often involves high-pressure environments. Early in my career, a heated public meeting went sideways, but staying calm and adaptable turned a potential disaster into a productive conversation.

3. Strategic Thinking: Seeing the big picture and connecting the dots is critical. A memorable example is crafting a multi-stakeholder plan for a client that defused a major PR crisis and built long-term goodwill.

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What essential skills and qualities do you believe are necessary for success in crisis communications?

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Success in crisis communication requires calm under pressure, clear messaging, and the ability to anticipate potential issues. Being a good listener is essential — you can’t address concerns if you don’t understand them. Strong relationships with media and stakeholders also play a key role. Lastly, adaptability is critical because no two crises are alike, and the best-laid plans often need to evolve in real-time.

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Can you share a specific crisis you managed and the strategies you used to address it effectively?

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A client in the healthcare sector faced backlash after a media report misrepresented their practices. We acted quickly to correct misinformation, issuing a clear, fact-based statement while coordinating exclusive interviews with trusted journalists. Simultaneously, we launched a transparency initiative, opening lines of communication with stakeholders and patients. By controlling the narrative early and staying consistent in messaging, we not only mitigated the immediate crisis but improved the client’s reputation long-term.

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How do you stay prepared for unexpected crises in an ever-changing media landscape?

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Preparation is everything. We create robust crisis playbooks for each client, complete with potential scenarios, key messages, and escalation plans. Regular media monitoring helps us stay ahead of emerging issues. Internally, we conduct simulation exercises to refine our response strategies. Additionally, fostering relationships with media professionals ensures that when something happens, we have trusted channels to share our side of the story effectively.

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What role does digital media play in modern crisis communication strategies?

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Digital media has transformed crisis communication. It’s a double-edged sword — crises can spread rapidly, but it also provides an immediate platform to share your message. Social media, in particular, allows real-time updates and direct engagement with audiences. For instance, during a recent crisis, we used social channels to address misinformation within hours, correcting the narrative before it escalated. Analytics also allow us to measure sentiment and adjust strategies in real time.

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How do you measure the success of a crisis communication plan?

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Success is measured by how effectively the crisis is contained and whether the organization emerges stronger. Metrics include reduced negative media coverage, improved sentiment analysis, and stakeholder trust. For example, after a crisis, we evaluate whether key messages resonated and whether relationships with stakeholders were strengthened. If a crisis plan not only mitigates harm but also leaves the client in a better position, it’s a win.

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What are your “5 Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career In Crisis Communications” and why?

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1. Strategic Thinking: Understand the big picture and anticipate challenges. For example, in a product recall, we crafted a proactive narrative that minimized backlash.

2. Resilience: Crises are high-stakes and unpredictable. Staying calm and focused helped us navigate a volatile media storm effectively.

3. Empathy: Listening to stakeholders ensures solutions address real concerns, as shown in a contentious community project we resolved by understanding their fears.

4. Media Savvy: Knowing how the media operates helps you shape stories. During a corporate scandal, our tailored approach led to balanced coverage.

5. Adaptability: Crises evolve rapidly; flexibility ensures relevance and impact.

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If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?

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I would inspire a movement focused on fostering constructive dialogue. Too often, divisions grow because people aren’t truly listening to each other. By creating platforms for honest, respectful conversations, we could bridge gaps in communities, politics, and workplaces. This movement would empower individuals to seek common ground, turning conflict into collaboration and fostering unity in an increasingly polarized world.

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This was really meaningful! Thank you so much for your time.

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