This summer’s surprise presidential campaign for Kamala Harris set the internet on fire with a cascade of […] The post “You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?” appeared first on Results Map ..read more

Change communications used to be a specialized area of interest to only a few. These days, effective change communications is a mission-critical capability for every organization and leader. Here are some fundamental do’s and don’ts to sharpen change communications and mitigate its inherent risks: DO’s DON’Ts Simplify.  Create a crisp, brief message on the intent behind the change and communicate it relentlessly. Find opportunities to create shared meaning using examples that are clearly understood and pace your messages to help build understanding over time. Fall into the trap ..read more

Over the last several months, I’ve noticed a discernable pattern across virtually every client organization. There’s something in the air that is stubbornly frustrating, demoralizing and crazy-making. I’ve come to the conclusion that many organizations today are plagued with a contagion of learned helplessness. Check out this rant where I try to explain the pattern, and offer a way out. The post The #1 thing driving leaders crazy these days appeared first on Results Map ..read more

These days, virtually every leadership team I support in driving change is finding that they are slamming right into the brick wall of culture. As the pace, scope and urgency of change are heightened like never before, there is a growing frustration that legacy cultures are holding teams back. That’s the first frustration leaders are bumping into. The second is that it quickly becomes excruciatingly evident that culture is the hardest thing for an organization to change.  The third is that the minute you announce a “culture change” initiative, eyeballs start to roll in cynicism and negati ..read more

Now there’s a fundamental and thought-provoking question I’ve never heard before. It came up at the mind-expanding European Association of Communications Directors (EACD) Summit I had the great pleasure of participating in this week. The Summit was the best communications conference I’ve ever attended. It was a shot in the arm of fresh perspective, diversity of thought, inspiration and professional solidarity. In case you’re wondering – yes, it’s slightly weird for a Canadian to have been there, but I was welcomed with open arms, and had a delightful time facilitating the Communications Direct ..read more

The one universal challenge faced by leaders today is the problem of overwhelm. Jon Kabat-Zinn describes overwhelm as the all-too-common feeling “that our lives are somehow unfolding faster than the human nervous system and psyche are able to manage well”. Before you rush to assume this is a “comms” thing and move on to something more important…not so fast.  While we are still collectively grappling with how organizations can thrive through new ways of working and the imperative of the attention economy, the one thing we know for sure is that this is a strategic leadership issue. It’s not ..read more

If you’re like most communications leaders I know, you’re probably paying a gigantic, recurring, and invisible tax bill on your communications shop. At best, this is vexing. At worst, it may well be what’s holding you and your team back from unleashing your talent and working at the top of your scope of practice and expertise. Make no mistake: organizational debt is dangerous. Not only does it threaten your performance, but in the context of today’s talent wars, it’s also erosive to your communications team’s engagement and retention. Let’s do a quick forensic accounting exercise and look at t ..read more

In the age of permanent white water, communications leaders are relied upon to provide steady navigation. Just as a ship’s captain needs a clear view of the horizon to identify the path forward and avoid hidden dangers, so too heads of communications require distinct lines of sight to lead their functions effectively. 1. Foresight Foresight is the ability to strategically look ahead to anticipate emerging changes, issues, opportunities and threats. The most skilled communications leaders I’ve had the opportunity to watch in action seem to have developed a sixth sense and a unique ability to se ..read more

Over the last few years, we have had the distinct privilege of working with several leaders on driving organizational change. The pandemic has triggered massive growth in my change practice, and also a fundamental shift in direction – moving from traditional “managed change” to supporting executives in leading through ambiguity, chaos and disruption. The essential nature of the changes I’m working on has evolved – from planned change exercises like a roll-out of a new IT system (ah, the days of straightforward change management!)  to a focus on emergent transformation. That is, a pattern ..read more

One of the best ways to become an indispensable, trusted advisor and turbo charge your career trajectory is to cultivate your issue management skill. The quickest way to boost your career, relevance and value is to sharpen your instincts and develop mastery in issue management. Unfortunately the reverse is also true – as a communications professional, you want to be on your toes, not be caught on your heels when an issue strikes your organization.  The problem is that learning the art and science of issue management usually takes decades, and the opportunity to watch masters in action. I ..read more