On The Record

When leaders fail, it is rarely because they lack skill. It is because they underestimate the power of their silence. In moments of crisis, uncertainty is inevitable. Panic is optional.

In On the Record: A Practical Guide to Crisis Communication for Executives and Public Leaders, award-winning C-suite communications strategist Dionna Smith delivers a strategic framework for communicating when pressure is high, facts are incomplete, and trust is at risk.

Drawing on decades of experience advising corporate executives, public officials, nonprofit leaders, and political candidates, Smith reveals how leadership is tested not when answers are clear, but when they are not.

This is not a book about spin. It is not about controlling the narrative. It is not about perfection. It is about protecting credibility.

Inside, readers will learn how to:

• Communicate when information is still unfolding

• Balance transparency with responsibility

• Avoid premature statements that erode trust

• Lead teams through uncertainty with steadiness

• Preserve public and organizational confidence

Through real-world scenarios spanning public safety incidents, workplace crises, nonprofit accountability, and political leadership, Smith provides practical guidance for leaders who must speak when the stakes are high.

Because when the next storm comes, and it always does, trust is built or broken by what leaders say next.

Ideal for:

• Corporate executives and board members

• Government officials and public administrators

• Political candidates preparing for public scrutiny

• Communications professionals and policy advisors

• Emerging leaders preparing to step into visible roles