Friend,

Thank you for reading this. I am grateful for your readership, your business, your advocacy, referrals and our friendships.

So I’m going to give you something I’ve never shared before.

Buckle up for a three-part series. Each week I’ll introduce a leadership, communication or reputational blind spot, and explain why they happen and how to avoid them.

Blindspot #1 is that you have blind spots. You particularly have blind spots when it comes to a crisis.

How can I be so sure? I have met and worked with so many leaders in a tight spot that, sometimes, people like us (PR people, crisis experts in particular) can read them, and the situation, as easily as the Kings Cross Coca-Cola sign. In other words, we can often predict the crisis mistakes you’re going to make.

Even better, I have studied you (our client), plus three of the world’s top crisis experts and some 20 of Australia’s best leaders who, for the most part, have managed to avoid most potential crises.

The patterns are very clear. In a crisis you are highly likely to:  

1. Badly underestimate how likely a crisis is.
2. Misread how others see the issue and the business.
3. Avoid tough conversations that would lead to better decisions (but more awkward interactions) especially when it means sending bad news upwards. 

Why do these happen? In part because we don’t teach, train or practice the thinking and behaviours at work that would help us avoid or find and counter our blind spots. Also, we’re human. What can you do about it? Reply “antidote” so I know you got this far and will make that #4 in this theme.

You’ll notice in the On Our Radar section this week just how clearly those blind spots show up... the gap between what leaders think they’re doing and how it actually plays out.

Finally, it’s been a big few weeks at BlueChip. Two pitches, four new ASAP type clients, onboarding my “locum” and… now I’m in South America to trek Patagonia. My lifelong dream is also an opportunity to shift gears here, to give my team some breathing space, and to support them and you in a different way (by going away!).

On our radar

Policy and regulatory developments that may shape your risk or return

HESTA's 40k greenwashing fine

HESTA has been fined $37,560 by ASIC for misleading climate claims in Google and Bing ads that promised to “remove all investment in carbon emissions by 2050.” In reality, the fund’s goal was net-zero emissions across its portfolio through offsets, not full divestment. It's a reminder that overstating ESG commitments can carry both regulatory and reputational costs.

When culture costs - ANZ's $160m dip

ANZ’s full-year profit fell 10% to $5.9 billion after a record $160 million ASIC penalty for unconscionable bond-trading conduct between 2016–2020. The fine, tied to governance and culture failures, shows how non-financial risk now drives financial outcomes.

Trump v BBC: The billion-dollar lesson in defamation risk

Donald Trump’s $1.5 billion threat to sue the BBC over a Panorama episode is unlikely to succeed but highlights how quickly reputation disputes can escalate across borders.

This week's market movers

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

Today's Chanitcleer: The two risks that will shape the 2030s: Australia’s top spy and Future Fund chief warn that rising geopolitical threats and intergenerational inequality will define the next decade. Risks leaders can’t “PowerPoint” away but can prepare for with real resilience and smarter capital.

AGL Energy sells $750m stake in Tilt Renewables: AGL will sell most of its 20% stake in Tilt Renewables to QIC and the Future Fund, freeing up capital for its shift toward batteries and fast-start energy projects.

ANZ’s $24m audit up for grabs: After 56 years with KPMG, ANZ is expected to put its $24 million-a-year audit to tender. It's a rare shake-up that could test the Big Four’s grip on Australia’s biggest bank mandates.

Best,

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

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