Authentic Leadership Communication in Uncertain Times

Sue hosts Matt Kohut, founding partner of KNP Communications, who has prepared CEOs, elected officials, entrepreneurs, ambassadors, scientists, and best-selling authors for events ranging from television appearances to board meetings to TED Talks. He is the author of Speaking Out: New Rules for Business Leadership Communication and co-author of The Smart Mission: NASA’s Lessons for Managing Knowledge, People, and Projects and Compelling People: The Hidden Qualities that Make Us Influential.

Sue and Matt discuss the evolving landscape of corporate leadership communication, covering topics including:

• How CEOs navigate political and social issues in today’s climate versus a decade ago
• The concept of the “talking trap” and avoiding performative statements without substantive action
• When leaders should determine if an issue warrants their voice and decision-making frameworks
• Examples of leaders who have successfully balanced authentic communication with meaningful accountability
• Strategies for managing global teams while maintaining consistent values across different cultural and political contexts
• The role of AI in executive communication and preparing for future challenges

Key takeaways from the conversation include the importance of pairing words with action, using values as a guide for decision-making, and the critical need for leaders to listen to employees before speaking out on issues. Matt emphasizes that successful leadership communication requires clear processes, stakeholder consideration, and genuine commitment to follow through on statements with concrete actions.