Episode 169: Trust, Truth, and Leadership Under Fire with Helio Fred Garcia

Helio Fred Garcia, one of the world's foremost experts on crisis management and leadership communication, joins The Crux of the Story to discuss what it takes to lead when trust is fragile, scrutiny is relentless, and stakes are high – as we discuss his most recent book. Influencing Leaders: The Seven Disciplines of the Trusted Strategic that he co-authored with James Lukaszewski. Drawing on decades of advising CEOs, boards, public officials, and global organizations through high-profile crises, Fred explores how communicators can help leaders and their organizations navigate uncertainty, and what separates leaders who emerge stronger from adversity from those who undermine their own legitimacy. We discuss the accelerating challenges facing institutions in an era of misinformation, polarization, and declining trust; the importance of values-based leadership; and lessons from Fred's work over the last four decades. A thoughtful and timely conversation about trust, character, communication, and the enduring responsibility of leadership when everything is on the line.