In this episode, Michael Apollo speaks with Jordan Redshaw, Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Communications at NATIONAL Public Relations, about how leaders can navigate crisis, urgency, and rapid change without creating unnecessary panic.
We discuss how to distinguish between a true crisis and an urgent issue, why a clear North Star helps teams stay focused under pressure, and how trust, empathy, decentralized leadership, and clear communication support stronger decision-making.
Drawing on Jordan’s experience in crisis response, stakeholder relations, high-pressure client advisory, and the Fort McMurray wildfire response and recovery, this conversation offers practical insight for leaders, executives, teams, and organizations seeking to lead with greater clarity, calm, and confidence during uncertain times.
Leading Minds Revealed with Michael Apollo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelapollo/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelapolloofficial/
Website: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcast
Newsletter: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcast#section-1751049894114
Guest Jordan Redshaw
Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Communications
NATIONAL Public Relations
Email: jredshaw@national.ca
Website: https://www.national.ca/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanredshaw/
00:00 Introduction: Leading Through Crisis, Urgency, and Change
02:00 Why Leadership Feels Harder in an Age of Urgency
03:00 The Importance of Clear Outcomes and Simple Communication
04:30 Why Organizations Lose Their North Star
06:00 Calm, Confidence, and Clarity from Senior Leaders
08:30 How a Clear Mission Enables Decentralized Leadership
10:30 What Happens When Teams Lack Direction
12:30 Crisis vs. Urgent Issue: How Leaders Can Tell the Difference
14:00 Why Long-Term Trust Matters More Than Short-Term Reputation Management
16:00 Preventing Reactivity and Emotional Contagion in Leadership Teams
17:00 Building Trust Before Problems Escalate
18:30 Giving Teams Visibility Into What’s Ahead
20:00 Listening to Loud and Quiet Voices in the Room
23:30 AI, Change, and the Need for Humble Leadership
24:30 Supporting the Next Generation of Talent
26:00 Why Attitude Matters in Hiring and Development
29:30 How NATIONAL Builds Leadership Skills Through Training and Exposure
32:00 Breaking Down Silos and Aligning Communications Around Business Outcomes
35:00 Lessons from the Fort McMurray Wildfire Response
36:00 Leading with Empathy Under Extreme Stress
38:00 Selflessness, Service, and Human Behaviour in Crisis
39:30 The Power of a Clear Mission During Emergency Response
41:00 How Listening to Frontline Insight Shaped Recovery Support
44:00 What High-Performing Teams Have in Common
45:00 Empowerment, Trust, and Fast Decision-Making
48:30 Jordan’s Closing Advice for Leaders Facing Pressure
49:00 Look Inward First: What Environment Are You Creating?
49:30 Prioritization, Control, and Influence
50:30 Helping People Grow Through Leadership
52:30 How to Connect with Jordan Redshaw
53:00 Closing Reflections
#LeadingMindsRevealed #Leadership
