Examines why Spirit’s collapse wasn’t just about fuel costs but about failing to persuade reluctant stakeholders. Notes that even distressed companies get multiple survival chances — Spirit had several paths, but each was unpopular with those holding approval power. Emphasizes that in polarized environments, survival depends on convincing stakeholders the...
Read MoreAnalyzes Air Canada CEO’s crisis response, arguing he didn’t need fluent French—just a protocol addressing his documented vulnerability. Notes crisis plans ignoring known leadership gaps are useless, and boards should treat CEO communication limitations with critical stakeholders as material business risk requiring protocols, not avoidance.
Read MoreExplores how misinformation spreads by tapping into existing distrust rather than facts. Advises leaders to spot early warning signs in fringe platforms, pressure-test vulnerabilities, and build trust before crisis hits.
Read MoreAdvises HR professionals navigating the DEI backlash on how to manage exposure while maintaining credibility. Emphasizes that conviction and caution aren’t mutually exclusive, and offers actionable guidance to help HR professionals navigate this moment.
Read MoreExamines why aviation’s mastery of operational incident response doesn’t prepare leaders for reputational threats arriving from unexpected directions—deepfakes, disinformation campaigns, or cultural controversies unrelated to flight operations. Drawing on real world case studies, this piece provides actionable guidelines for how to prepare.
Read MoreExamines why traditional crisis strategies now backfire in an era of AI-driven disinformation and weaponized polarization. Using real-world examples, Bradley demonstrates why leaders must take clear positions, operate at campaign speed, and prioritize the stakeholders whose trust determines outcomes rather than attempting to please everyone.
Read MoreExplores how crisis strips away appearances and creates conditions for genuine transformation. Drawing on his experience as a Boeing executive as well as a personal loss as a teen, Bradley argues that the true test of crisis is whether claimed values guide decisions when there’s no playbook.
Read MoreA year-end checklist for communications leaders to stress-test crisis infrastructure while stakes are low. Covers response time testing, distinguishing vulnerabilities from risks, mapping non-traditional influencers, auditing stakeholder ownership, and ensuring internal-external alignment before Q1 pressures hit.
Read MoreOutlines how high-performing companies spot crises early by monitoring sentiment shifts, stakeholder signals, and emerging narratives. Using Ticketmaster’s breach response and Eli Lilly’s handling of a social-media hoax, demonstrates how early detection turns potential crises into manageable moments.
Read MoreBradley explores intellectual humility as a key leadership trait, examining how leaders can express conviction without becoming targets in polarized environments. Drawing on research and the Disney-DeSantis case, he provides frameworks for maintaining authenticity while navigating cultural divisions.
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