Friend,

Today I’m looking at four stories, but just one pattern of behaviour. Expert leadership communication does three things well: 

“Name reality, hold paradoxical tension, and show agency.” 

We know that these things are not window dressing. They’re the difference between leading and lagging or worse, straggling. It’s particularly true in complex and uncertain times. 

Communication in uncertain or scary times or when you’re faced with apocalyptically bad news isn’t decoration. It’s how leaders make meaning, keep followership and fix sh8t.  

Of course, if you’re already unpopular, or a billionaire or divisive for a living, you can afford to break the rules because you’re not trying to unite people to lead them. Note Elon, Gina, Pauline Hanson and Tony Abbott are the lonely voices supporting Ben Roberts-Smith after yesterday’s arrest.  

This week gave us the full spectrum of leadership response to tricky times. I’ve marked some homework. Here’s what I reckon, from cr@ppy to top score. 

Fail: DroneShield lost control of their story last year and today exited their CEO and Chair. 

Pass: Albo almost stood up to the US this week after we got a Trump tirade but didn’t look strong. 

Distinction: CBA gets marks for proactively reporting AI-fuelled fraud and owning their own story. 

High distinction: The UN, as they should, tops the class for moral clarity in calling out “war crime”.  

Three lessons learned

3. Leadership agency is a “use it or lose it” asset

Don't define the moment and markets, media and critics et al will do it for us e.g. DroneShield

2. The power is in the paradox

The best communicators can say two things at once: this is badAND we can deal with it e.g. CBA. 

1.Name reality
Brutal facts (aka truth) build credibility, which helps inspire confidence, which underpins followership. So, the UN gains credibility when they call civilian attacks what they are: war crimes.

That’s me done. Short and sharp this week. Shorter seems to increase our CTR and engagement. 

Best, 

Carden 

PS Hit reply and let me know what you think. I’m worried I’m talking too much about leadership communication in a crisis. WDYT? 

Best,

Carden | she/her (here’s why that matters @work)

On our radar:

The other big story this week

Trump suspends strikes on Iran after ‘two-sided ceasefire’

Donald Trump has agreed to a conditional two-week ceasefire with Iran, pausing planned strikes and driving a sharp fall in oil prices, signalling a potential de-escalation in the conflict, though the outcome remains uncertain and hinges on progress in negotiations and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. 

Ben Roberts-Smith spends night in custody after war crime murder charges

Ben Roberts-Smith has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of alleged war crimes relating to the deaths of unarmed civilians in Afghanistan, marking a major legal escalation that has reignited national debate over military accountability and Australia’s military role in the region. 

Business leaders warn Treasurer against short-term fixes for productivity crisis 

Business leaders are warning Jim Chalmers against relying on short-term cost-of-living measures, urging structural reform to address Australia’s productivity decline. Without meaningful changes to tax, regulation, and investment settings, there is growing concern the economy will remain constrained, limiting long-term growth and returns.

Get to know your journo

This week's market movers

Big plays, bold bets, and (occasional) unconfirmed speculation

Economists fear recession as oil spike points to repeated rate rises – Economists expect the Reserve Bank of Australia to raise interest rates further as oil-driven inflation rises, increasing the risk that tighter policy could push the economy toward recession. 

DroneShield CEO, chair out after share sale saga; McLennan drafted in – DroneShield CEO Oleg Vornik and chairman Peter James are stepping down after a $70 million share sale controversy, with leadership changes intended to restore investor confidence. 

‘Doesn’t make sense to hold on to a combustion engine’: used EV prices rise as Australia’s fuel crisis hits – Rising fuel costs are driving up used EV prices in Australia as demand grows while petrol and diesel vehicles drop in price.