Holding Statement
A prepared brief statement used to respond immediately to a developing crisis.
Definition
A holding statement is a prepared, generic response used when a crisis is developing but full facts aren't yet known. It acknowledges the situation, expresses concern, and commits to providing more information. Holding statements buy time for gathering information while showing the organization is responsive. They should be prepared in advance for likely scenarios.
Why It Matters
A holding statement buys time during a crisis by acknowledging an issue while a full response is developed. It demonstrates awareness and concern without premature commitments or speculation.
The best holding statements are prepared in advance for likely scenarios. When crisis hits, teams aren't crafting messages from scratch under pressure—they're adapting ready frameworks.
Examples in Practice
A prepared holding statement gets distributed within 30 minutes of a breaking issue, establishing the company as responsive.
A holding statement's measured tone prevents escalation while investigation continues.
Template holding statements adapted to specific circumstances allow rapid, appropriate response.