A small startup organization is contending with a crisis.

HRPA’s change and communication guidance emphasizes that in high-stakes or sensitive situations, organizations should prioritize direct, synchronous, two-way communication that enables clarity, leader presence, and Q&A. A face-to-face all-staff meeting best supports accuracy, alignment, and immediate feedback during a crisis; one-way or asynchronous channels (email, voicemail, passive online broadcasts) are less effective for urgent, emotionally charged messages.