Introduction by Bruce Hennes, Hennes Communications Cat YouTube? Happy Dog TV? Relax My Cat? DOGTV? If you’re thinking, “What on earth does Cat YouTube have to do with crisis communications?”, that’s exactly why this New York Times piece belongs here. Because at its core, it’s a story about audience. We spend our professional lives trying […]
By Lisa Lang for Above the Law As in-house lawyers, we are often called in when there are problems to solve and challenges to overcome. The phone rings. The meeting invite goes out. Something has gone sideways, and leadership needs everyone (including the in-house lawyer) at the table. When you walk into that room, how […]
By Thom Weidlich for PRCG | Haggerty LLC Not every crisis is a major facility fire or data breach. Companies must watch for the smaller crises, too. Let’s say, for example, a salesman in your car dealership refuses to sell a vehicle to a customer unless she agrees to a date with him — and […]
The Mass Shooting Playbook Introduction by Bruce Hennes, Hennes Communications… A mass shooting is not just a tactical emergency. It is a communications crucible. This article introduces the Mass Shooting Playbook, a research-driven, practical handbook for leaders and communicators responsible for communities under threat. Built on real-world cases, it offers checklists, clear roles, and guidance […]
By Tony Jaques, Director of Issue Outcomes Pty Ltd. Outrage moves faster than facts. And “just stay silent” is rarely neutral. This article offers a practical way to decide whether to speak on contentious issues and, more importantly, how to make that call without sounding performative or losing trust. It lays out a shared-values framework […]
By Julia Minson, writing for The New York Times A Harvard researcher describes a fraught conversation about immigration with her conservative, veteran father-in-law and shares the behavioral-science playbook that kept it constructive. The takeaway isn’t “win the argument,” but keep the relationship intact. She explains why curiosity beats persuasion, how to signal respect while disagreeing […]
By Andrew Marchand for The Athletic Tom Brady is on the other end of the phone line from Miami, going behind-the-scenes of his daunting rookie year as an NFL TV analyst. During postgame review sessions of his performances, he would say: “Why’d I say that?” “I didn’t like that.” “That made no sense.” He wasn’t […]
By Mark Athitakis for Associations Now 2025 has been a year of uncertainty and disruption for associations, as they’ve watched their members and industries get pushed and pulled by the political winds. Are tariffs in the offing, or not? Are members going to have their research or programs funded, or not? Leaders can legitimately wonder […]
By Bruce Hennes, Hennes Communications Before James Comey headed up the F.B.I., he served as general counsel of Lockheed Martin Corporation. While at Lockheed, he spoke at the National Security Agency about how studying law is similar to the education intelligence analysts receive. “You read a case and decipher…relevant facts, the [outcome] of the case…you are drilled […]
By Thom Weidlich for PRCG | Haggerty LLC When a recording leaked of a Campbell’s Co. executive spewing racist comments and disparaging his company’s products, the soup maker sprang into action and responded with force. It took the matter very seriously. But the episode may also suggest a culture that doesn’t encourage employees to warn […]