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Congressional hearings have become high-stakes moments that pose defining tests for business leaders, educators, and public figures alike. Effective preparation requires a collaborative strategy across legal, communications, government relations, and executive leadership. Success at the witness table is about striking the right balance: being a credible and authoritative voice, shaping the narrative proactively, and ultimately exiting the process in a more resilient and respected position. Audiences are growing and the stakes are rising. Organizations need to think beyond damage control. In my latest piece, I break down the current state of congressional hearings, the most common pitfalls, and the recipe for success when preparing for them. Read the full piece here: https://lnkd.in/dqK36NcP

Tens of millions of viewers are tuning in to watch congressional hearings, making these events high-stakes and highly polarized. A single misstep can shape headlines, influence markets, and damage careers. The organizations and individuals that achieve successful outcomes are those that plan, prepare, and practice to strengthen consistency, adaptability, and message discipline. Read more of Devin O'Malley's advice on how to prepare to testify before Congress.

What do Trump and the progressive left have in common? A willingness to put companies—and their CEOs—at the center of political fights. In his op-ed with PRWeek, Ken Spain examines how this bipartisan pressure, combined with growing skepticism of AI and rising anxiety about the cost of living, is reshaping the expectations placed on corporate leaders. Leveraging findings from our Nexus Survey, Ken outlines why employees and consumers crave stability above all else and what CEOs must do to build reputational resilience before they become the next target of political scrutiny. For senior leaders navigating today’s volatile environment, his guidance could not be more timely. Read Ken’s article here: https://lnkd.in/eby7Qzqh

What do Trump and Mamdani have in common? In my recent PRWeek column, I explore an emerging dynamic that every executive should watch: political leaders—across the spectrum—are increasingly naming companies in public debates. This isn’t just rhetoric—it’s market-moving. After the president and NYC’s mayor-elect urged Con Edison to lower rates during an Oval Office meeting, its stock price dropped sharply by day’s end. Our November Narrative Nexus Survey revealed: • 60% of voters recall a political leader criticizing a company by name in the past month • 25% say it happens weekly • 16% say daily For leaders, this trend signals a shift: corporate reputation is no longer managed in isolation. It’s part of the political narrative. The question isn’t if your brand will be pulled into the conversation—it’s when. Are your teams prepared for this new era of reputational risk? In the piece I pose three questions every corporate leader should be asking themselves. https://lnkd.in/eF_ktgt4

America’s energy sector continues to earn high public confidence, with 96% of Americans agreeing that U.S. energy independence is a national priority. This bipartisan alignment presents a strategic opportunity for the energy industry to shape public conversation, foster trust, and enhance policy engagement. Mark Keida, Partner and Head of Insights, breaks down the data from our Nexus Survey to reveal which messaging tones resonate across the political spectrum. Download the full survey findings to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eaEUKi_D

I’m always looking forward to Bloomberg Law's midyear report on union elections, and this year’s findings are as relevant as always. The landscape around labor relations and employee communications continues to evolve, as diverging stakeholder expectations leave businesses to deal with complex operational and reputational pressures. In our latest article, Kelly O'Keefe and I looked at the data and what it could mean for businesses. If you’re thinking about how to approach these challenges (or just want to chat union elections), reach out to me. https://lnkd.in/eCHeD9af