Hey, Kev here and this is my monthly digest of how you can simply, communicate better. Whether it’s managing up, managing direct reports, trying to communicate your emotions to your partner– there’s always a way we can Say It Better!
Happy New Year! I was sitting and journaling the other day and thought, why do so many leaders experience this huge celebration during a decision they make but then there’s no real change the people experience.
February sets the stage with Black History Month and the State of the Union. Both invite us—not just to watch or listen, but to truly consider the impact of both cultural moments.
From Confusion to Clarity: Real-World Lessons in Authentic Communication
Look at Nike: it wasn’t a competitor that set off a crisis, but Nike’s own camp. When internal surveys exposed deep issues with workplace discrimination, leadership’s lack of transparency and inconsistent action turned private frustration into a very public reckoning. Only after sweeping change and an honest, visible commitment to inclusion did employees and customers start to rebuild trust.
Or consider Wells Fargo. Pushed by aggressive sales targets, employees opened millions of unauthorized accounts. Leadership’s response? Deflection and downplaying, with junior staff bearing the blame. Apologies came late, and so did genuine reform. You can read this and think– when words and actions live in different worlds, trust evaporates and business reputation crumbles.
If I had one piece of advice to you, it’s this: consider that everyday happenings matter! In 2018, Starbucks faced public outrage after two Black men were wrongfully arrested in a Philadelphia store. Instead of vague apologies, the CEO shut every U.S. store for racial bias training and laid out transparent next steps. It wasn’t perfect, but it was concrete action rooted in real values—a move that began to repair credibility. Your PR isn’t enough, when the cameras are off and the strategy needs real TLDRs attached, that’s what matters most on how you stand out.
Stepwise exists to help public leaders and organizations clarify their story—before someone else tells it for them. Here’s how:
Clarify the Message: Stepwise works with you to distill your core values into a clear, strategic narrative. No jargon. No fluff. Just the truth, said well.
Train the Team: Everyone on your team—not just the spokesperson—learns to communicate with purpose and unity, so your message stays sharp and steady across every channel.
Pressure-Test It: Stepwise guides you through real-world testing, capturing feedback and refining your communication until it’s resilient enough to stand up to both headlines and history.
Ultimately, leadership language is about more than optics. As you navigate this season of public statements and historic speeches, bring every message back to its roots. Stop. Ask. Listen.
Is your message built for headlines, or for history?
If you read this post and feel like you’re on the defense but want that to change: hit us up!
