Twitter’s corporate communications staff is busily planning for their new CEO and all the changes that come from the shift from a public company to a private one.
Musk has already signaled plans for Twitter. This isn’t Musk’s first rodeo as CEO and he’s not a blank slate. He comes to Twitter with a long list of speeches, interviews, Tweets, and other postings – many of which signal abrupt changes, policies, and procedures that have evolved over time at Twitter. He has already publicly criticized current senior executives. So, with an effective corporate communications strategy, the Twitter team actually may be able to get ahead of the changes.
But what about communicators in other organizations? Does Twitter’s about-face make you think about what would you do if a controversial figure/change agent assumed the reins of your organization – whether it’s a through a change in ownership, a crisis that forces rapid replacement of a CEO, or just the normal selection of a new leadership team? At CommCore, we are not fans of the, “It can’t happen here,” syndrome. We believe effective corporate communications is something that needs to be developed in both current and future leaders at any organization.
How do you quickly adjust a brand proposition, policies, procedures, and message templates? Is it your place to point out to new leaders how original policies were created and how they were crafted, tested, and approved? How can you gain the confidence of a new leader when communicators and messaging are often tied to the old team?
Assuming you want to stay with the new leadership team, here are CommCore’s suggestions:
- Be able to succinctly and neutrally explain the existing culture, policies, and procedures.
- When asked probing questions, don’t be defensive or try to defend the prior leaders. Stay objective.
- Don’t take any negative comments personally.
- Try and avoid the “we’ve never done it that way before” idea, because new leadership usually ushers in change.
- Work on being a consensus-builder because there will likely be conflict within the organization.
- …and if all else fails, keep your LinkedIn profile up to date!
Senior leadership changes do happen and they can be sudden. It’s worth considering how you would respond. An interesting perspective comes from Kate Zacker, a character in the Showtime series, Billions. When asked how she would respond to the mercurial whims of her boss, she said: “All I can tell you is what a good lawyer does. Obey your clients’ wishes however ill-advised. But keep all options open in case they come to their senses.”
CommCore’s Approach to Corporate Communications, Leadership Training & Executive Coaching
At CommCore, we believe effective Corporate Communications is more important now than ever.
According to a recent PwC study, 69% of leaders have experienced at least one corporate crisis in the last five years.
CommCore crisis communications professionals have counseled countless companies and organizations on a variety of crisis issues including:
- Tylenol
- Cyber/Hacking crises
- SARS risk communications
- Columbia and Challenger space shuttle accidents
- Congressional investigations
- Plant closings
- Class action litigation
- Product recalls
- Ethics issues
- “#MeToo” crises
Leadership Training & Development for Effective Corporate Communications
Your resume doesn’t make you a leader. Getting people to act, does.
CommCore collaborates with Talent Management and Professional Development staff to create leadership training and leadership development programs applying proven best practices of communications for their executives and managers.
We offer leadership training programs for:
- Your Executive Management Committee
- Managers
- C-Suites and Division Leaders
- Spokespeople
- Salespeople
- Marketing, Legal, IT, HR, Security, Finance
- PR, Communications, Investor Relations, Public/Government Affairs
- Operations Staff
Learn more about CommCore’s communications-based approach to Leadership Training here.
Executive Coaching for Effective Corporate Communications
CommCore’s 1-on-1 executive coaching combines our years of experience with proven best practices in communications to prepare you to lead meetings, deliver important news to stakeholders, have difficult conversations, and prep you for public speaking engagements, radio, TV, or digital media interviews.
We offer Executive Coaching for:
- Your Executive Management Committee
- Managers
- C-Suites and Division Leaders
- Spokespeople
- Salespeople
- Marketing, Legal, IT, HR, Security, Finance
- PR, Communications, Investor Relations, Public/Government Affairs
- Operations Staff
Learn more about CommCore’s Executive Corporate Communcations Coaching here.
Learn more:
- “Cyber Attack Preparation Is A Team Sport,” Andy Gilman & Priya Shah tell Forbes
- Returning to Work After Covid-19
- How to Win Back Trust: CommCore SVP Andy McGowan Quoted in Sports Business Journal
Contact Us:
We can put you in touch with the right person to help with your specific Corporate Communications challenge.
To schedule a training or get answers quickly, call us at (202) 659-4177 or email info@CommCoreConsulting.com