Crisis Theories at Work in Obama's Oval Office Address

On June 15, President Obama addressed the nation from the Oval Office, stating his position on the BP oil spill. Throughout his speech, he utilizes two crisis theories in particular - sensemaking and chaos.

I first saw chaos theory resonate in his speech. Chaos theory posits that crisis can be used to restructure an organization in order to become stronger. The article "Theories of Organizational Crisis," says, "CT, however, focuses on long-term patterns of sustainability and growth and a dynamic relationship to instability and decline. Growth, resurrection, and renewal follow bifurcation, and the latter may be necessary for the former to occur." (p.37)

This concept plays out as Obama announces how strategic action will tackle the situation: "Tonight I’d like to lay out for you what our battle plan is going forward: what we’re doing to clean up the oil, what we’re doing to help our neighbors in the Gulf, and what we’re doing to make sure that a catastrophe like this never happens again."

Sensemaking also played a role in Obama's speech. He says, "You know, for generations, men and women who call this region home have made their living from the water. That living is now in jeopardy. I’ve talked to shrimpers and fishermen who don’t know how they’re going to support their families this year. I’ve seen empty docks and restaurants with fewer customers -– even in areas where the beaches are not yet affected. I’ve talked to owners of shops and hotels who wonder when the tourists might start coming back. The sadness and the anger they feel is not just about the money they’ve lost. It’s about a wrenching anxiety that their way of life may be lost."

Regarding sensemaking, the article states, "During a crisis, actors often undertake specific actions to reduce their perceived powerlessness and create the impression they are making the difference. Following the 9/11 terrorist attack, for example, hundreds of millions of dollars in donations were made to related charities by individuals seeking to help with the crisis" (p.26) Even though there might be no particular solution for a given crisis, those affected by the crisis take different actions in an effort to make sense of the ordeal.

Crisis theories are timeless. Whether the crisis is the BP oil spill, Exxon Valdez, 9/11, or the Challenger - the theories emerge as a way to break down a crisis and digest it.