Hi – this is Julie Masters and you’re listening to The Next Right Thing – a mini-series from The Inside Influence Team. Designed to provide some actionable certainty in uncertain times. Specifically – and the situation we’re all facing right now – the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lock down.

The idea behind this series is to go out to some of the most popular guests from past episodes of Inside Influence – and ask them one question: ‘What are the most important things you’re focusing on right now (tools, ideas, strategies) – or advising your clients to focus on – that you know for sure work in uncertain times?’

The intention being that somewhere in there, from these incredible minds, you might be able to find inspiration for your next right thing – a point of certainty amidst the uncertainty.

In this episode I’m joined by… Bill Coletti – a crisis communications and reputation management expert with more than twenty-five years of experience managing high-stakes crises, issues management, and media relations challenges for Fortune 500 companies and global political campaigns.

Bill’s expertise is focused on one thing – how to approach, handle and lead in critical moments. In the moments when all the bets are off – and a normal Tuesday suddenly becomes the pivot point for your entire career, business – or in the case of some – political legacy.

In this conversation we talk about… The A-B-C (Always be communicating) approach to crisis communication. How to excel during the messy middle phase – when a new normal has sunk in and no end is still in sight – and whether there is such a thing as over communicating with your team and stakeholders.

What I want you to reflect on here… that the leaders that will excel during these times – or during any time that involves a critical moment – aren’t the ones with all the answers. As leaders it’s often easy to fall into the trap of ‘the great reveal’. the ‘da da’ moment. Not the destination – but the map.
What we want is someone to translate the path with a level of certainty. To share our process of decision making – and not our perfection.

If you want to dig even further into Bill’s knowledge and background… you can hunt down our previous conversation – where we talk more about influencing critical moments, developing a Crisis EQ and the Power of an Apology – which I believe is episode No. 57.

In the meantime stay well, look after each other – and I hope somewhere in here you find the fuel you need for your next right thing.