Virginia Tech

Vincent Covello, an international expert on crisis communication, teaches an important lesson on leading when a crisis occurs. He calls the principle CCO. Compassion, Commitment, and Optimism!

COMPASSION:

"We are sad today, and we will be sad for quite a while. We are not moving on. We are embracing our mourning. We are Virginia Tech."

-- Nikki Giovanni, University Distinguished Professor, poet, activist

COMMITMENT:

"I told them that my administration would do everything possible to assist with the investigation and that I pledged that we would stand ready to help local law enforcement and the local community in any way we can during this time of sorrow."

“As such times as this we look for sources of strength to sustain us, and in this moment of loss, you are finding these sources all around you. These sources of strength are in this community, this college community… you came together… even as these events were unfolding, you found yourself.”

-- President George Bush

"Commonwealth has a meaning, the meaning is… what we have… the god given and man made resources are held in common… the world was watching you yesterday, in the darkest moment in the history of this university, the world saw you and saw you respond in a way that built community... I pledge to do all I can… President Singer, members of the community and my team as well , to be with you, to be alongside you in difficult times… you have a remarkable community, look around you.. this is a remarkable place, do not let go of that sense of community which is so powerful in this room.”

-- Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine


OPTIMISM:

"We are strong, and brave, and innocent, and unafraid... we are better than we think and not quite what we want to be... we are alive to the imagination of the possibilities.. we will continue to invent the future, through our blood and tears, through all our sadness.. we are the hokies, we will prevail, we will prevail, we prevail, we are Virginia Tech!"

-- Nikki Giovanni, University Distinguished Professor, poet, activist

Good Night VT.. we are all Hokies tonight!