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Talk Is Chief: Leadership, Communication, and Credibility in a High-Stakes World
With compelling stories and strategies, Talk Is Chief inspires leaders and aspiring leaders to treat their daily communication practices as seriously as their fiscal, operational, value creation, deal making, business transformation, and other executive responsibilities.
Leaders today spend up to 90 percent of each day communicating to make good things happen in their organizations. They communicate with colleagues, customers, shareowners, creditors, regulators, advocates, and competitors. They influence culture, opportunity, risk-taking, and risk aversion. The stakes in this new communication environment are very high, driving home Winston Churchill’s “The difference between mere management and leadership is communication.”
These days, leaders are likely to face adversity and career-testing situations. Crisis defines leaders and their organizations. But it does not have to take them down. Talk Is Chief provides sound advice, examples, and even a list of the “Ten Commandments of Crisis Management” so that leaders can either avoid crises or avert worst-case scenarios when confronted with an existential threat.
Jack Modzelewski’s vast years of experience working with numerous Fortune 500 companies as a communications consultant tells us that too many leaders undervalue and therefore underperform their vital communication responsibilities. They do so at their own disadvantage and sometimes peril in this age of heightened activism, transparency, disinformation, and disruption.
Whether they recognize it or not, leaders are chief credibility officers, with organizational reputations often resting on their words and actions, especially in times of crisis. As a CEO quoted in the book “Communication shouldn’t be just another hat that a CEO wears. It should be at the core of everything you do.”
Leadership communication today—the ability for leaders to be heard and clearly understood above the constant noise of the complicated worlds in which they must lead or govern—is of the highest importance. It’s proven that effective leadership communication inspires people to perform collectively better, leading to better outcomes. Which is why Talk Is Chief is a must-read for twenty-first-century leaders.
Leaders today spend up to 90 percent of each day communicating to make good things happen in their organizations. They communicate with colleagues, customers, shareowners, creditors, regulators, advocates, and competitors. They influence culture, opportunity, risk-taking, and risk aversion. The stakes in this new communication environment are very high, driving home Winston Churchill’s “The difference between mere management and leadership is communication.”
These days, leaders are likely to face adversity and career-testing situations. Crisis defines leaders and their organizations. But it does not have to take them down. Talk Is Chief provides sound advice, examples, and even a list of the “Ten Commandments of Crisis Management” so that leaders can either avoid crises or avert worst-case scenarios when confronted with an existential threat.
Jack Modzelewski’s vast years of experience working with numerous Fortune 500 companies as a communications consultant tells us that too many leaders undervalue and therefore underperform their vital communication responsibilities. They do so at their own disadvantage and sometimes peril in this age of heightened activism, transparency, disinformation, and disruption.
Whether they recognize it or not, leaders are chief credibility officers, with organizational reputations often resting on their words and actions, especially in times of crisis. As a CEO quoted in the book “Communication shouldn’t be just another hat that a CEO wears. It should be at the core of everything you do.”
Leadership communication today—the ability for leaders to be heard and clearly understood above the constant noise of the complicated worlds in which they must lead or govern—is of the highest importance. It’s proven that effective leadership communication inspires people to perform collectively better, leading to better outcomes. Which is why Talk Is Chief is a must-read for twenty-first-century leaders.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published November 19, 2019
13 people are currently reading
1332 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 14, 2025
Preview Thoughts (Chapters 1-3):
The opening chapters set the stage for the book’s core message: communication is proactive, not reactive. It cannot single-handedly correct or reverse cultural challenges within an organization. Instead, leaders must take responsibility for shaping their organization’s tone and planning for potential communication crises before they arise. Communication professionals are not miracle workers; their effectiveness depends on an already established culture of integrity and strategic foresight.
Final Review:
Talk Is Chief argues that communication should not be viewed as a last resort or a crisis-management tool. Instead, it should be a foundational element that works in tandem with leadership and operations teams to anticipate risks, reinforce culture, and drive strategic agendas. Communication leaders play a dual role—internally, by reinforcing company values and fostering alignment, and externally, by shaping public perception and maintaining credibility.
One of the book’s key takeaways is that communication is more than just messaging; it is a form of leverage. When used effectively, it enhances an organization’s legitimacy and influence. While many books on communication cater specifically to PR or marketing professionals, Talk Is Chief takes a broader approach. This book is not just for traditional communications teams—it’s for anyone in leadership, operations, or any professional role where communication plays a critical part in advancing an organization’s mission.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
A practical and insightful read that underscores the strategic role of communication in leadership. Talk Is Chief provides valuable lessons for professionals at all levels, reinforcing that effective communication is a responsibility shared by everyone in an organization.
The opening chapters set the stage for the book’s core message: communication is proactive, not reactive. It cannot single-handedly correct or reverse cultural challenges within an organization. Instead, leaders must take responsibility for shaping their organization’s tone and planning for potential communication crises before they arise. Communication professionals are not miracle workers; their effectiveness depends on an already established culture of integrity and strategic foresight.
Final Review:
Talk Is Chief argues that communication should not be viewed as a last resort or a crisis-management tool. Instead, it should be a foundational element that works in tandem with leadership and operations teams to anticipate risks, reinforce culture, and drive strategic agendas. Communication leaders play a dual role—internally, by reinforcing company values and fostering alignment, and externally, by shaping public perception and maintaining credibility.
One of the book’s key takeaways is that communication is more than just messaging; it is a form of leverage. When used effectively, it enhances an organization’s legitimacy and influence. While many books on communication cater specifically to PR or marketing professionals, Talk Is Chief takes a broader approach. This book is not just for traditional communications teams—it’s for anyone in leadership, operations, or any professional role where communication plays a critical part in advancing an organization’s mission.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
A practical and insightful read that underscores the strategic role of communication in leadership. Talk Is Chief provides valuable lessons for professionals at all levels, reinforcing that effective communication is a responsibility shared by everyone in an organization.
January 22, 2020
What a pleasure—a “business” book that “walks the talk” in delivering the “intellectual property” and point of view of the working lifetime of an experienced pro in a delightful, conversational format that focuses on message versus bio.
And what a message it is. Modzelewski officially moves the role of communications out of the support function and puts it clearly at the top of strategic essentials -- and then shows you how to do it, from the CEO level through the entire fabric of the organization. Talk is Chief zeros in on the critical importance of understanding and ensuring that communication is the bedrock of success in any organization, an essential skill for leaders (and everyone else), and that without understanding its importance the best objectives won’t have a chance. The concept isn’t new, and progress has been made incrementally, but Modzelewski illustrates with powerful examples that the time for full adoption of the premise is now, particularly in the world of new channels that allow information –good and bad—to impact success virtually instantaneously.
I particularly applaud Modzelewski for taking on the larger issues so essential to leadership in the areas of social responsibility. He makes the important case that organizations with the resources to make a difference against key issues of the day—whether climate change or economic inequality—need to partner with non-business audiences to become agents for the progress the world needs..
It should be a requirement that experienced professionals capstone their careers by sharing their well-honed insights so the future can build upon them rather than having to learn the hard lessons over and over from the ground up.
Thanks, Jack, for showing us how it’s done.
And what a message it is. Modzelewski officially moves the role of communications out of the support function and puts it clearly at the top of strategic essentials -- and then shows you how to do it, from the CEO level through the entire fabric of the organization. Talk is Chief zeros in on the critical importance of understanding and ensuring that communication is the bedrock of success in any organization, an essential skill for leaders (and everyone else), and that without understanding its importance the best objectives won’t have a chance. The concept isn’t new, and progress has been made incrementally, but Modzelewski illustrates with powerful examples that the time for full adoption of the premise is now, particularly in the world of new channels that allow information –good and bad—to impact success virtually instantaneously.
I particularly applaud Modzelewski for taking on the larger issues so essential to leadership in the areas of social responsibility. He makes the important case that organizations with the resources to make a difference against key issues of the day—whether climate change or economic inequality—need to partner with non-business audiences to become agents for the progress the world needs..
It should be a requirement that experienced professionals capstone their careers by sharing their well-honed insights so the future can build upon them rather than having to learn the hard lessons over and over from the ground up.
Thanks, Jack, for showing us how it’s done.
February 28, 2020
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you, Goodreads!
This author is undeniably knowledgeable, and the book well researched, but I occasionally felt as if it were more a platform for the author to showcase the clients he has worked with and for and to expand and highlight his resume, beginning with the reference to his website in the introduction. He quotes articles and speeches by others, and himself, frequently, but I felt that there seemed to be a lack of actionable thought, with the exception of the final chapter.
While the argument is that Talk is Chief, and communication is brought up repeatedly, I felt like subject wise this was more of a high level thought book on crisis and change management. It was an interesting, quick read but I’m not sure I would really recommend it to anyone.
This author is undeniably knowledgeable, and the book well researched, but I occasionally felt as if it were more a platform for the author to showcase the clients he has worked with and for and to expand and highlight his resume, beginning with the reference to his website in the introduction. He quotes articles and speeches by others, and himself, frequently, but I felt that there seemed to be a lack of actionable thought, with the exception of the final chapter.
While the argument is that Talk is Chief, and communication is brought up repeatedly, I felt like subject wise this was more of a high level thought book on crisis and change management. It was an interesting, quick read but I’m not sure I would really recommend it to anyone.
December 19, 2019
I received this book from the publisher through a Goodreads giveaway.
I really enjoyed the book, bringing a PR and communications perspective to the business-heavy field of leadership books I've been reading so much lately. I may be biased as a part-time public affairs professional, but his points about being able to effectively and consistently communicate rang very true. I particularly took heed of his section about "gradually, then suddenly," emphasizing how reputation can be lost (and gained).
Besides a few typos and perhaps a revision to the section about VW, his thoughts and points were laid out clearly and effectively (which you'd hope from a prestigious PR exec).
Would highly recommend.
I really enjoyed the book, bringing a PR and communications perspective to the business-heavy field of leadership books I've been reading so much lately. I may be biased as a part-time public affairs professional, but his points about being able to effectively and consistently communicate rang very true. I particularly took heed of his section about "gradually, then suddenly," emphasizing how reputation can be lost (and gained).
Besides a few typos and perhaps a revision to the section about VW, his thoughts and points were laid out clearly and effectively (which you'd hope from a prestigious PR exec).
Would highly recommend.
October 18, 2019
Excellent book!!!
January 4, 2020
Great information.
April 22, 2020
This book is well-written and has a great deal of useful and important information!
February 8, 2025
While the book is informative but I think it unable to deliver it main idea.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews