Episode Details

Send a text

Your crisis plan looks great on paper until the day you can’t use email, chat, or even your own devices. That’s where this conversation goes: into the messy, human reality of executive communication when the normal playbook disappears. I’m joined by Texas-based executive coach Susan D. Nelson to unpack what leaders actually need to stay credible and calm, and why the biggest threat to preparedness is often a simple one: time.

We dig into a timely cyberattack scenario that is playing out in real time against the medical device maker Stryker, where systems are wiped and internal communication becomes a blackout. Susan explains what strong crisis communications sound like when facts are limited and rumors are loud: tell people what you know, say what you don’t, and commit to when you’ll follow up. We also talk practical crisis management tools that improve resilience, including backup channels like text messaging, dark websites, and contingency accounts, plus the importance of coordinating with partners and vendors during cyber incident response.

You can find Susan on LinkedIn here.

Or on her company site, Delta3c Coaching, here.

We'd love to hear from you. Email the show at Tom@leadinginacrisis.com.