The document discusses how public leaders, particularly mayors, engage in 'meaning making' during crises, highlighting the case of the MH17 disaster where mayors acted as 'mourner-in-chief'. It outlines the expectations placed on mayors to communicate effectively, bridge interests between families and communities, and provide support. Additionally, the research presents a framework of four types of meaning making based on 94 case studies from Dutch crises between 1990 and 2015.

1. www.burgemeesters.nl
Meaning making
by public leaders
in times of crisis
Wouter Jong
Dutch Association of Mayors | PhD Tilburg University

2. www.burgemeesters.nl
Definition of “Meaning Making”
“Leaders are challenged to
present a compelling
story that describes what
the crisis is about: what is
at stake, what are its
causes and what can be
done.”

3. www.burgemeesters.nl
What did mayors do in terms of meaning
making after the MH17 disaster?

4. www.burgemeesters.nl
Missile from Russian backed seperatists.
298 casualties of whom 193 with Dutch nationality.

5. www.burgemeesters.nl
Day of National mourning

6. www.burgemeesters.nl
Impact in many communities

7. www.burgemeesters.nl
Results:
• Mayors are expected to speak
• A“conditio sine qua non”.
• Strong appreciation for visits at home
• Condolences and practical needs
• Listening ear
• Mayor as a “mourner-in-chief”

8. www.burgemeesters.nl
Also:
• Mayors are supposed to bridge the
interests of the next of kin on one side
and the community on the other.
• Sometimes, mayors became
spokesperson on behalf of family
• In all cases, communication was key.

9. www.burgemeesters.nl
Current research (submitted)

10. www.burgemeesters.nl
Method. 94 case studies about Dutch
crises over the years 1990-2015.
Main research question: depending on
context, what drives “meaning making” by
public leaders?

11. www.burgemeesters.nl
Results:
• Framework with four different ‘types’ of
meaning making, which emphasize
different aspects for public leaders.

12. www.burgemeesters.nl
Ene crisis is de andere niet

13. www.burgemeesters.nl
Wrap-up:
• Public leaders have a community role
as well as a role towards the next-of-kin
• Public leaders balance between both
interests
• Meaning making behavior is influenced
by the collective impact and (political)
responsibility