Communicating through chaos: focus on ethics, connection, safety

by Ann-Marie Blake:

About a month ago, I was a guest on a webinar that posed some tough but timely questions about communicating through chaos. We’re living through a time of disruption: geopolitical instability, deepening divisions, and a flood of misinformation. All of this is making our roles as communicators more complex, and in many ways, more important. 

The discussion raised three key questions: 

* How do we protect our teams, especially those earlier in their careers? 

* How do we advise ethically, even when we’re under pressure to do otherwise? 

* And how do we stay united and strong as a profession when our values are tested? 

There are no easy answers. But here’s where I think we can start.

1. Protecting the Team

One of the most important things we can do is create a safe, supportive environment for our teams, especially those who are newer to the profession. That starts with psychological safety, which means making sure people feel able to speak up and raise concerns without fear of judgement or consequences. 

We also need to make ethics part of everyday conversation. Ethical standards aren’t abstract, they’re practical tools our teams can rely on. People need to know that if they choose to do the right thing, they’ll be supported. 

Speak openly about your own challenges. Share how you’ve handled difficult decisions. When you show honesty and integrity in your own actions, you make it easier for others to do the same.

2. Advising Ethically When Under Pressure

Most communicators I know want to do the right thing. But many feel unsure how to push back or worry about losing their job if they speak up. That’s a very real pressure. 

You might hear, “We know it’s not quite true, but let’s share it just this once,” or “Let’s spin it a bit.” But the truth usually comes out in the end. And when it does, will you be comfortable with the role you played? 

This is where professional bodies like IABC, PRCA, or CIPR can help. They provide the frameworks and language to support you when you’re conflicted. So, when you’re challenged, you’re not just saying, “I’m uncomfortable with this,” you can say, “This goes against our professional code of practice.”

3. Staying Connected to the Comms Community

When we uphold strong ethical standards together, we lift the entire profession. We make it harder for poor practices to go unchecked. And we create a better path forward, not just for ourselves but for those coming up behind us. 

Business is now widely seen as the most trusted institution, and as communicators, we have a vital role in protecting that trust while helping people make sense of uncertainty. 

If we give in to chaos, chaos wins. So let’s choose courage, clarity, and ethics instead. 

Image by Ideogram.ai

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Ann-Marie Blake is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and a former International Executive Board member for the IABC.  She is a founder Board Member for PRCA Race and Ethnicity Equity Board (REEB)

Written by: Editor