Evidence-inclusive communication: steering crisis leadership outcomes in Portugal, Brazil, New Zealand, and the US

Abstract

ABSTRACT While the essence of leadership communication is recognized as a linchpin in crisis management, the distinct characteristics that define successful communication are often unknown. Recent perspectives on the topic highlight the importance of incorporating political and value-based considerations to achieve a balanced communication style during a crisis. This article empirically tests these claims by examining whether an evidence-inclusive communication style of leadership tends to yield more successful outcomes in crisis management. We compare speeches by leaders from Portugal, Brazil, the United States, and New Zealand, to assess the main explicit knowledge and value bases of decision-making. Our findings suggest that success of a crisis response is associated with a leader’s ability to effectively communicate an evidence-based narrative, inclusive of different evidence sources, when tackling pressing and complex issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic.