Your team can't agree on engaging with journalists at the event. How do you navigate conflicting approaches?

1 Identify Issues

To effectively manage conflicting approaches within your PR team, start by identifying the root causes of disagreement. Listen to each team member's perspective on engaging with journalists and pinpoint specific concerns. It's crucial to understand whether the differences stem from strategic viewpoints, personal preferences, or a lack of clarity about the event's goals. Recognizing these issues will help you address them directly and find common ground. Remember, the objective is not to win an argument but to develop a strategy that serves your organization's best interests.

3 Build Consensus

Building consensus among your team is a critical step in resolving disagreements. Facilitate an open discussion where each member can voice their views and contribute to a collective decision-making process. Encourage your team to focus on shared goals and the bigger picture of what you aim to achieve through media engagement. By fostering a collaborative environment, you can help your team move beyond individual preferences and towards a unified approach that everyone can support.

4 Define Strategy

With a consensus in mind, it's time to define a clear strategy for engaging with journalists. Create a detailed plan that outlines specific actions, timelines, and responsibilities. Ensure that this strategy addresses the concerns raised by your team and capitalizes on the agreed-upon approach. A well-defined strategy will provide a roadmap for your team to follow, reducing uncertainty and increasing confidence in your engagement with journalists at the event.

5 Execute Plan

Execution is where your strategy comes to life. With a plan in hand, guide your team in implementing the agreed-upon methods of engaging with journalists. Monitor the execution closely to ensure that everyone adheres to the strategy and that it's yielding the desired results. Be prepared to make adjustments if necessary, but also trust in the process that your team has developed together. Effective execution will demonstrate the value of collaboration and reinforce the importance of a united front in PR.

6 Reflect & Learn

After the event, take time to reflect on how your team engaged with journalists and what you can learn from the experience. Gather feedback from team members and evaluate the outcomes of your media interactions. Use these insights to refine your approach for future events, building on what worked well and addressing any shortcomings. Continuous improvement is vital in public relations, and learning from each experience will strengthen your team's ability to work together and engage effectively with journalists.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?