Communications Needs a New Compass

As a communications professional you’re operating in the most complex information environment in history. Misinformation. Disinformation. AI generated deepfakes of executives saying things they never said. Audiences who have stopped trusting what organizations tell them. Employees who can't tell what's real. And somewhere in the middle of all of that noise you’re still expected to move people. To make them understand something, feel something, and do something. With the same frameworks you have always used.Dianne Chase has written a book that argues the profession needs a North Star more than it needs another tactical playbook. She’s the past International Chair of IABC, past Chair of the IABC Southern Region, and current president of IABC Charlotte. Her book is called The Seven C's of the New Communications Compass. And the argument she makes is both simple and urgent: in an era of collapsing trust, the communicators who will matter most are not the ones with the best tools. They’re the ones who remembered to be human.This episode was recorded on location in Toronto in June 2026 at IABC World Conference Listen For3:16 What Are the Seven Cs of the New Communications Compass?6:16 Why Should Organizations Build Relationships Instead of Transactions?8:19 How Does Compassion Become Empathy in Action?13:09 Why Does Community Matter to Purpose-Driven Brands?17:10 How Should Communicators Measure What Really Matters?Guest: Dianne Chase, President IABC Charlotte, past International Chair IABC, past Chair IABC Southern RegionWebsite | LinkedInDoug DownsSubstack | Website | LinkedIn Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.Apply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestSend us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episodeSupport the show