The Board Report
Why Delivery Matters as Much as the Message
When U.S. Men's National Team coach Mauricio Pochettino informed several players they would not be part of the World Cup squad, the decision itself was not what sparked controversy. It was how the news was delivered.
Several U.S. players reportedly learned they had been cut via email rather than through a personal conversation. The resulting backlash quickly shifted attention away from the roster decision and toward the communication process itself.
The episode offers an important reminder for executives and communicators: stakeholders often judge leadership not only by what decisions are made, but by how those decisions are communicated. During moments of uncertainty, disappointment, or change, communication becomes part of the decision itself. The most consequential messages often require a human conversation.
New Executive Comms Workshops & Labs
The most effective executive communicators are not created through one speech, one LinkedIn post, or one media appearance. They are developed through consistent positioning, visibility, and message discipline over time.
This fall, The Communications Board will host three workshops and a cohort-based lab focused on executive influence, thought leadership, and CEO visibility:
New Chief Influencer® Episodes Are Now Available
Our latest Chief Influencer® episodes feature conversations with leaders shaping institutions, industries, and public dialogue.
Explore our latest Chief Influencer® award winners
Chief Influencer® is a program sponsored by The Communications Board that was created in 2023. Directed and produced by Social Driver, the initiative is designed to recognize senior leaders whose influence extends beyond title or role and is demonstrated through sustained impact, credibility, and strategic communication.
Industry Highlights
Does Extraversion Come at a Cost for CEOs?
New research published in the Journal of Management Studies suggests that highly extraverted CEOs may sometimes create unintended organizational consequences. While extraversion can enhance visibility and influence, it also impacts board’s attribution of firm performance and CEO dismissal decisions.
Implication: Executive presence is valuable, but personality traits alone do not determine leadership effectiveness. The strongest leaders balance visibility with discipline, reflection, and strategic judgment.
What Companies Want in Their Next Chief Communications Officer
According to a recent report from Korn Ferry, organizations increasingly seek communications leaders who combine business acumen, strategic advisory capabilities, and AI fluency. Technical communications expertise alone is no longer sufficient.
Implication: The role of the communications leader continues to move closer to the center of organizational decision-making, with expectations extending well beyond media relations and messaging.
When CEOs Mention Death, Investors Listen
New research published in the Journal of Management finds that investors react differently when CEOs discuss mortality, death, or end-of-life themes. Such references can influence perceptions of risk, uncertainty, and long-term planning, ultimately affecting market reactions.
Implication: Language matters more than leaders often realize. Even seemingly indirect word choices can shape how investors interpret organizational confidence, stability, and future prospects.
Why Brands Are Choosing to Speak Less
A growing number of organizations are reducing public commentary on controversial social and political issues, according to the USC Annenberg 2026 Global Communication Report. Rather than weighing in on every debate, many brands are becoming more selective about where they engage publicly.
Implication: The challenge is no longer simply deciding whether to speak. It is determining when silence strengthens credibility and when it creates a leadership vacuum.
When the CEO Becomes the Brand
A recent Harvard Business Review article examines the opportunities and risks that emerge when a company's identity becomes closely tied to its chief executive. While visible CEOs can create trust, differentiation, and attention, organizations may also become vulnerable when too much brand equity is concentrated in one individual.
Implication: CEO branding should strengthen institutional credibility, not replace it. The most effective executive visibility strategies elevate both the leader and the organization.
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