EP59: Crisis Communication and Executive Presence: A PR Strategist's Honest Guide for Leaders

When a crisis hits, most leaders panic or pretend nothing is wrong. Both moves backfire.

Crisis communication is one of the most misunderstood skills in leadership. PR strategist Lee Caraher has spent more than twenty years watching companies make the same avoidable mistakes. On this episode of Speaker Dynamics, host Karin Reed sits down with Lee, CEO of Double Forte and a self-described professional straight talker, for an honest look at what leading through a crisis demands.

There is no spin that fixes a bad decision, and Lee says so without hesitation. Most crises are not PR problems. They are leadership and decision-making problems. The first job in any crisis is getting back to zero. Tell the truth. Stand firm on the company’s values. Lead with real humility.

For anyone focused on executive presence and authentic leadership communication, this conversation gives you a clearer picture of what leading under pressure actually demands. Lee breaks down the difference between moving fast and moving smart. She explains why transparency works as a protection strategy, not only a moral stance, and she shares the red flags to watch for when hiring a crisis communications firm.

Leadership communication starts with integrity before image. Executive presence gets built in moments like these, and this episode shows you exactly how.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Why Crisis Communication Is Really a Leadership Problem

02:18 Meet Lee Caraher, CEO of Double Forte

05:00 How Double Forte Helps Leaders Communicate With Impact

07:18 The Different Types of Crisis and What Leaders Can Control

11:19 Why Transparency Is Your Best Crisis Strategy

13:27 Fast and Fuzzy: The Right Way to Respond Under Pressure