David Fallarme’s Post

Another comms pet peeve: when leaders don’t even vet the interview responses written for them. On paper, the answers may look polished. But without a leader’s voice, ownership, or even a quick glance of approval, it’s just… theatre. The best comms isn’t about crafting a flawless script. It’s about shaping messages leaders can actually stand behind. Because if they don’t believe the words, why should anyone else? Authentic leadership comms happens when: - Leaders take ownership of their voice - Messages reflect reality, not just aspiration - Words and behaviours line up Otherwise, it risks being a performance — one that audiences see right through. Curious: have you seen examples where a leader owned their voice and it made all the difference?

The 5 traps of leadership decisions Miss these and your strategy won’t survive execution: ❌ Assuming the problem is fully understood ✅ Spending time to align on the real problem to solve ❌ Jumping straight to solutions ✅ Designing how the solution will be reached ❌ Optimizing for “the smartest idea” ✅ Aligning on shared ownership of the decision ❌ Prioritizing only logic and data ✅ Balancing logic with emotional commitment from the team ❌ Imposing strategy top-down ✅ Co-creating strategy with the team that will execute it Happening in executive sessions around the world — these traps cost months of lost execution when ignored. Your Experience Matters! What would you add? P.S. Repost ♻ if you agree. Follow & Connect ᐩ👤 Re-Share this post with your Network ♻️ _________ I help leadership teams decide faster, align better, and work smarter - using Structured Visual Thinking and Strategic Co-creation to create clarity and commitment to the decisions that matter most.

The future of PR leadership won’t look familiar. It’s not just about campaigns. It’s about transformation. PR leaders are no longer just message guardians. They’re architects of trust, influence, and change. Here’s what that evolution looks like: → Strategist They align communications with business goals. Every word has weight. Every message has direction. → Storyteller They humanize brands with authentic narratives. Stories replace press releases. Emotion replaces jargon. → Change Manager They guide organizations through turbulence. They turn uncertainty into opportunity and movement. The truth? The strongest leaders aren’t choosing one role. They’re mastering all three — and balancing the tension. Because the world doesn’t just need voices. It needs visionaries who can shape tomorrow. So I’ll ask you: Is the future PR leader more strategist, storyteller, or change manager?

Leadership Is Communication I was reading about executive communication and leadership development this weekend and some ideas really resonated with me. “One cannot not communicate.” - Watzlawick, Beavin, and Jackson (1967) 💡 Translation: even silence sends a message. The writing of Brent Ruben and Ralph Gigliotti expand on this idea beautifully. They point out that leadership is not just about what a leader says, but also about what is left unsaid. A leader’s silence, absence, or failure to respond can be just as powerful a message as what they do and say: 👏 Recognition that never comes ⚠️ Difficult issues left unaddressed 🔮 Vision that isn’t shared Even things like showing up late to a meeting, being distracted during a one-on-one, and consistently keeping your office door closed create powerful, unspoken messages that shape how teams feel and act. When leaders aren't intentional about communication, teams will fill in the blanks with their own assumptions. And those assumptions may not be positive. This week, I am challenging myself to reflect: - Where has silence or absence sent the wrong message to your team? - What conversation needs to happen, even if it feels uncomfortable? Here's to being more intentional with every signal we send, spoken and unspoken!

This week's BR post share reminds us that as leaders rise to executive roles, every word,  even their silences, are amplified, so sloppy or unfiltered communication can create ripples of confusion, anxiety, or even derailment in organisations.  This thought leadership explores five classic overcommunication styles: the Straight Shooter who is too blunt, the Idea Generator who overwhelms teams with half-baked ideas, the Anxious Communicator who shares indecision and causes unease, the TMI Leader who blurs boundaries with personal oversharing, and the Detailed Over-Explainer who drowns meetings in minutiae. What served leaders at lower rungs becomes risky at the top where executive presence means saying less but making every word count. Mastering the art of strategic editing is portrayed as an executive superpower. Leaders must ruthlessly curate what to say both how and when, choosing silence over speech to avoid unnecessary friction or distraction.  The thought leadership advises leaders to clarify intent, understand audience needs, pause before reacting impulsively, and frame their messages for maximum impact, even pressure testing with trusted advisors before addressing high-stakes situations.  In short, top leaders succeed by stepping back, filtering, and shaping their communication (not just spilling everything) so their teams respond with clarity, confidence, and focus rather than confusion or anxiety. https://lnkd.in/gbJGZSdP

This week's BR post share reminds us that as leaders rise to executive roles, every word,  even their silences, are amplified, so sloppy or unfiltered communication can create ripples of confusion, anxiety, or even derailment in organisations.  This thought leadership explores five classic overcommunication styles: the Straight Shooter who is too blunt, the Idea Generator who overwhelms teams with half-baked ideas, the Anxious Communicator who shares indecision and causes unease, the TMI Leader who blurs boundaries with personal oversharing, and the Detailed Over-Explainer who drowns meetings in minutiae. What served leaders at lower rungs becomes risky at the top where executive presence means saying less but making every word count. Mastering the art of strategic editing is portrayed as an executive superpower. Leaders must ruthlessly curate what to say both how and when, choosing silence over speech to avoid unnecessary friction or distraction.  The thought leadership advises leaders to clarify intent, understand audience needs, pause before reacting impulsively, and frame their messages for maximum impact, even pressure testing with trusted advisors before addressing high-stakes situations.  In short, top leaders succeed by stepping back, filtering, and shaping their communication (not just spilling everything) so their teams respond with clarity, confidence, and focus rather than confusion or anxiety. https://lnkd.in/eTRiReRD

Communication = Competitive Advantage What if your greatest competitive edge wasn’t your product or service, but how well your managers communicate? Our global research found that improving mid-level communication skills improves: 📈 Engagement 📉 Turnover intention ✅ Team performance ✅ Trust in leadership Yet only 1 in 3 employees has received communication training in the last 3 years. It’s time to change that. Start by reading the white paper. 📄 https://lnkd.in/e-xMrcvF   #CompetitiveAdvantage #EmployeeEngagement #PeopleFirst

Effective communication is essential for leaders, but at the executive level, how you communicate matters as much as what you say. Overcommunication, unfiltered honesty, or sharing too much can create confusion and derail progress. A Harvard Business Review article highlights the importance of strategic editing and mastering executive presence to inspire trust and alignment. It also identifies common pitfalls, such as overwhelming teams with ideas or sharing uncertainty, emphasising the need for thoughtful, intentional communication. 👉 Want to sharpen your communication skills as a leader?

Effective communication is essential for leaders, but at the executive level, how you communicate matters as much as what you say. Overcommunication, unfiltered honesty, or sharing too much can create confusion and derail progress. A Harvard Business Review article highlights the importance of strategic editing and mastering executive presence to inspire trust and alignment. It also identifies common pitfalls, such as overwhelming teams with ideas or sharing uncertainty, emphasising the need for thoughtful, intentional communication. 👉 Want to sharpen your communication skills as a leader?

Does your leadership speak like your organisation thinks? As comms leaders, part of our role is shaping how executives speak and show up, positioning them as credible voices to internal and external audiences. But not every organisation has capacity for #ExecutiveCommunication. Sometimes, resource constraints or internal politics get in the way. Still, we can integrate elements of #ExecComms into our planning to strengthen leadership visibility and advance comms goals. Here are 4 guiding questions: 1.      Is leadership messaging aligned with your organisation’s goals and your leader’s vision? Check out their LinkedIn/X posts and offer support. 2.      Are there internal platforms for the CEO to engage staff on strategy, changes, or motivation? Newsletters, town halls, or other creative formats can help. 3.      How is leadership showing up externally with media, policymakers, donors, or at conferences? Position them for panels, interviews, or thought leadership opportunities. 4.      Are you part of the crisis team? If not, make the case as leadership teams need strong comms support to manage reputational risks. Executive comms blends policy and situational awareness, storytelling, leadership coaching, and sharp writing. How else can comms leaders teams elevate executive communication? I’d love to hear your experiences.