2025: volatility continued

This wasn’t the start to the year we all hoped for. The tragedy in New Orleans and the continuing crises in Ukraine and the Middle East mean 2025 continues with the extreme unrest we came used to in 2024. When I consider what’s ahead, from the Trump presidency getting underway to acceleration of tech advancements with AI, there is no doubt that volatility will continue to be our ‘steady state’.

For leaders, for organisations the huge amounts of uncertainty will bring real challenge including how to forecast change and when to act in the right way, with the right resource. Against a backdrop of misinformation and disinformation, this will be the year when how we present and share information will determine whether reputations thrive or falter.

To stay ahead, my mantra for effective communications is that organisations must:

• Be transparent: In noisy, confusing times, build confidence by being bold, clear and direct about the action your organisation is taking.

• Speak to what people care about: Start by listening to what your audience needs and is worried by. When drafting any communications, use the problem-solution-benefit structure to ensure it will resonate with the person you’re speaking to.

• Learn to use AI: Most leaders I speak to are removed from the front line of tech development and consider AI as ‘like’ any other software. From my experience, AI has the potential to help leaders and teams transform, particularly in how they produce and share communications. Use it!

• Adapt, adapt, adapt: Volatility means that in nearly every aspect of our life, change will be constant. For this to be manageable, make plans but allow for them to change and flex so communications (and messaging) can evolve.

  For me, uncertainty presents both huge challenge but can be opportunity for those ready to embrace it and communicate authentically with purpose. I wish you the very best for the year ahead.