Leading Through Urgency Without Panic | Jordan Redshaw | EP 136

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:   / michaelapollo   Instagram:   / michaelapolloofficial   Website: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/lead... Newsletter: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/lead... Guest Jordan Redshaw Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Communications NATIONAL Public Relations Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.national.ca/ LinkedIn:   / jordanredshaw   Timestamps 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