Torod Neptune
@torodneptune.bsky.social
Professor of Communications and Reputation Management at UNC Chapel Hill, former Fortune 50 c-suite executive, board advisor, speaker on trust, stakeholder accountability, culture, and leadership
Great leaders move, learn from the results, adjust, and move again. They build strong organizations not by avoiding mistakes, but by developing a healthier relationship with learning than with being right.
January 27, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Great leaders move, learn from the results, adjust, and move again. They build strong organizations not by avoiding mistakes, but by developing a healthier relationship with learning than with being right.
Some great insights in this new #ReputationCapitalCouncil research, especially the mandate and alignment gap that exists with most CCOs in this important area!
@arunsudhaman.bsky.social @earnedfirst.bsky.social #Davos
www.earned-first.com/davos-ceos-w...
@arunsudhaman.bsky.social @earnedfirst.bsky.social #Davos
www.earned-first.com/davos-ceos-w...
Davos: CEOs warn of business risk from reputation shortfalls
A study of more than 3,000 C-suite leaders finds reputation is now a material business risk, while warning that many CCOs lack the mandate, insight and commercial alignment to manage it effectively.
www.earned-first.com
January 26, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Some great insights in this new #ReputationCapitalCouncil research, especially the mandate and alignment gap that exists with most CCOs in this important area!
@arunsudhaman.bsky.social @earnedfirst.bsky.social #Davos
www.earned-first.com/davos-ceos-w...
@arunsudhaman.bsky.social @earnedfirst.bsky.social #Davos
www.earned-first.com/davos-ceos-w...
Three former Gamecocks vying for the top in Super Bowl LX ⬇️ www.on3.com/teams/south-...
Three former Gamecocks vying for the top in Super Bowl LX
Conference championship weekend in the NFL concluded as three former Gamecocks advanced to Super Bowl LX. Here's how they did.
www.on3.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Too many organizations today are confusing being nice with being effective, and the cost is higher than most leaders realize.
It's important for leaders to understand that avoiding tough conversations in the name of kindness doesn’t protect culture.
It's important for leaders to understand that avoiding tough conversations in the name of kindness doesn’t protect culture.
Is Your Leadership Style Too Nice?
Many leaders mistake being “nice” for being effective, avoiding hard conversations and decisions in ways that ultimately undermine organizational performance. The authors argue that being “good” instead requires clear accountability, candid feedback, disciplined decisions about roles and retention, and sustained strategic focus. Organizations that engage in these activities see stronger engagement
hbr.org
January 26, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Too many organizations today are confusing being nice with being effective, and the cost is higher than most leaders realize.
It's important for leaders to understand that avoiding tough conversations in the name of kindness doesn’t protect culture.
It's important for leaders to understand that avoiding tough conversations in the name of kindness doesn’t protect culture.
Exceptional @provokepaul.bsky.social @provokemedia.com read!
A powerful lesson for every business leader today on what true “values driven and stakeholder focused”leadership looks like… 👇🏾
www.provokemedia.com/latest/artic...
A powerful lesson for every business leader today on what true “values driven and stakeholder focused”leadership looks like… 👇🏾
www.provokemedia.com/latest/artic...
Davos 2026: Business Leaders, Be More Like Mark
In one of the best political speeches in recent memory, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney showed national leaders—and CEOs—a “principled and pragmatic” way to deal with the new order.
www.provokemedia.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Exceptional @provokepaul.bsky.social @provokemedia.com read!
A powerful lesson for every business leader today on what true “values driven and stakeholder focused”leadership looks like… 👇🏾
www.provokemedia.com/latest/artic...
A powerful lesson for every business leader today on what true “values driven and stakeholder focused”leadership looks like… 👇🏾
www.provokemedia.com/latest/artic...
👇🏾
We can build walls or we can be more ambitious — and build something better, stronger, and more just.
January 26, 2026 at 1:09 AM
👇🏾
The real test of leadership shows up when the answers aren’t clear.
2025 made that unavoidable. The leaders who stood out weren’t louder or faster. They were deliberate, aligned, and disciplined in how they made decisions and showed up.
2025 made that unavoidable. The leaders who stood out weren’t louder or faster. They were deliberate, aligned, and disciplined in how they made decisions and showed up.
Uncertainty, Artificial Intelligence, Leadership, and Timeless Lessons: 4 Key Takeaways From Modern CEO in 2025
Modern CEO’s editor shares lessons and insights from the newsletter this year.
www.inc.com
January 20, 2026 at 2:12 PM
The real test of leadership shows up when the answers aren’t clear.
2025 made that unavoidable. The leaders who stood out weren’t louder or faster. They were deliberate, aligned, and disciplined in how they made decisions and showed up.
2025 made that unavoidable. The leaders who stood out weren’t louder or faster. They were deliberate, aligned, and disciplined in how they made decisions and showed up.
We keep framing AI as a way to save time. That’s the smallest upside. Used well, it sharpens judgment. It surfaces patterns earlier and gives leaders space to think, not just react. For communicators, that shift changes the role entirely.
The secret to using AI research to be a better business strategist - Ragan Communications
Manual research can't compete: AI deep research aggregates, analyzes and synthesizes information at scale — delivering strategic clarity when it matters most.
www.ragan.com
January 19, 2026 at 3:24 PM
We keep framing AI as a way to save time. That’s the smallest upside. Used well, it sharpens judgment. It surfaces patterns earlier and gives leaders space to think, not just react. For communicators, that shift changes the role entirely.
Sustainable leadership isn’t built on actions alone; it’s built on beliefs.
Without addressing what’s happening inside us, even the most well-intentioned behaviors can fall short.
Without addressing what’s happening inside us, even the most well-intentioned behaviors can fall short.
These common beliefs are holding leaders back
Sustainable leadership growth comes from examining the beliefs that drive our actions.
www.fastcompany.com
January 15, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Sustainable leadership isn’t built on actions alone; it’s built on beliefs.
Without addressing what’s happening inside us, even the most well-intentioned behaviors can fall short.
Without addressing what’s happening inside us, even the most well-intentioned behaviors can fall short.
When too much information is shared without clear priorities, key messages get lost. People confuse volume with effectiveness, and the result is misalignment, wasted effort, and stalled progress. The same meetings, emails, and updates that are meant to clarify often create confusion instead.
Why It's Possible for Leaders to Overcommunicate and Teams Still Fail
Here's why even the smartest executives derail change by mistaking more information for real clarity and how to communicate better.
www.inc.com
January 12, 2026 at 3:00 PM
When too much information is shared without clear priorities, key messages get lost. People confuse volume with effectiveness, and the result is misalignment, wasted effort, and stalled progress. The same meetings, emails, and updates that are meant to clarify often create confusion instead.
One of the most overlooked drivers of performance is confidence. And confidence is built through culture. Not by mission statements or one-off initiatives, but by how leaders show up every day, make decisions, and communicate during moments that matter.
How—and When—to Change the Culture of a Business
To change a business culture, you have to think outside yourself.
www.psychologytoday.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:02 PM
One of the most overlooked drivers of performance is confidence. And confidence is built through culture. Not by mission statements or one-off initiatives, but by how leaders show up every day, make decisions, and communicate during moments that matter.
One of the most underrated reasons to bring on fractional communications support?
It’s not just capacity.
It’s clarity.
It’s not just capacity.
It’s clarity.
December 22, 2025 at 1:19 PM
One of the most underrated reasons to bring on fractional communications support?
It’s not just capacity.
It’s clarity.
It’s not just capacity.
It’s clarity.
Leadership is changing and it's changing fast.
Today, leadership is less about authority and more about behavior. It is a verb. It’s the daily actions, the consistency, the willingness to walk the same path you expect others to take.
Today, leadership is less about authority and more about behavior. It is a verb. It’s the daily actions, the consistency, the willingness to walk the same path you expect others to take.
7 Effective Ways to Level Up Your Leadership
Great leadership means digging into a transformation deeper than the numbers alone. Here's how to take your leadership from good to great.
www.inc.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Leadership is changing and it's changing fast.
Today, leadership is less about authority and more about behavior. It is a verb. It’s the daily actions, the consistency, the willingness to walk the same path you expect others to take.
Today, leadership is less about authority and more about behavior. It is a verb. It’s the daily actions, the consistency, the willingness to walk the same path you expect others to take.
AI won’t replace communicators but it will raise the bar for what communicators need to be great at.
In the next few years, I think the most valuable comms pros will be the ones who can:
- Interpret AI-driven analytics, sentiment, and data
- Translate that into clear strategic choices
In the next few years, I think the most valuable comms pros will be the ones who can:
- Interpret AI-driven analytics, sentiment, and data
- Translate that into clear strategic choices
- YouTube
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
www.youtube.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:00 PM
AI won’t replace communicators but it will raise the bar for what communicators need to be great at.
In the next few years, I think the most valuable comms pros will be the ones who can:
- Interpret AI-driven analytics, sentiment, and data
- Translate that into clear strategic choices
In the next few years, I think the most valuable comms pros will be the ones who can:
- Interpret AI-driven analytics, sentiment, and data
- Translate that into clear strategic choices
Meaningful progress rarely starts with universal agreement.
It starts with leaders who are willing to act before every detail is perfect, before everyone “gets it,” and before the path is completely safe.
It starts with leaders who are willing to act before every detail is perfect, before everyone “gets it,” and before the path is completely safe.
The Courage To Be Misunderstood
The courage to be misunderstood has become one of the most essential leadership capabilities of our time. What endures is the clarity and conviction a leader brings.
www.forbes.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Meaningful progress rarely starts with universal agreement.
It starts with leaders who are willing to act before every detail is perfect, before everyone “gets it,” and before the path is completely safe.
It starts with leaders who are willing to act before every detail is perfect, before everyone “gets it,” and before the path is completely safe.
Every year, companies roll out beautifully designed posts celebrating cultural holidays and diversity milestones, highlighting that diversity and inclusion often appear louder on the calendar than they do in the culture.
Real inclusion is the everyday experience of your employees.
Real inclusion is the everyday experience of your employees.
December 9, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Every year, companies roll out beautifully designed posts celebrating cultural holidays and diversity milestones, highlighting that diversity and inclusion often appear louder on the calendar than they do in the culture.
Real inclusion is the everyday experience of your employees.
Real inclusion is the everyday experience of your employees.
Congratulations to the leaders recognized in PRovoke Media's 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟭𝟬𝟬 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 – grateful to be in inspiring company.
https://www.provokemedia.com/ranking-and-data/influence-100/the-influence-100-2025
https://www.provokemedia.com/ranking-and-data/influence-100/the-influence-100-2025
December 4, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Congratulations to the leaders recognized in PRovoke Media's 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟭𝟬𝟬 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 – grateful to be in inspiring company.
https://www.provokemedia.com/ranking-and-data/influence-100/the-influence-100-2025
https://www.provokemedia.com/ranking-and-data/influence-100/the-influence-100-2025
Honored to be named to PRovoke Media’s 2025 Influence 100.
I see it as a reflection of the communities that shaped me—and a reminder to lead with courage, speak truth when it’s hard, and use our voices to make things better.
I see it as a reflection of the communities that shaped me—and a reminder to lead with courage, speak truth when it’s hard, and use our voices to make things better.
The Influence 100 2025
PRovoke Media's Influence 100 recognises the most important and influential in-house communicators from around the world.
www.provokemedia.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Honored to be named to PRovoke Media’s 2025 Influence 100.
I see it as a reflection of the communities that shaped me—and a reminder to lead with courage, speak truth when it’s hard, and use our voices to make things better.
I see it as a reflection of the communities that shaped me—and a reminder to lead with courage, speak truth when it’s hard, and use our voices to make things better.
Giving Tuesday is an invitation to pause and ask: How can we give back in ways that create lasting impact?
As leaders, we have the opportunity to create ripple effects.
As leaders, we have the opportunity to create ripple effects.
December 2, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Giving Tuesday is an invitation to pause and ask: How can we give back in ways that create lasting impact?
As leaders, we have the opportunity to create ripple effects.
As leaders, we have the opportunity to create ripple effects.
Across industries, rising sick days, burnout, and turnover aren’t signs of employee weakness. They’re indicators of a culture misaligned with its people.
Change takes courage.
Sometimes courage looks like calling out a cultural issue.
Change takes courage.
Sometimes courage looks like calling out a cultural issue.
Courage Over Fear, Leadership Lessons From Tesla And The Marines
It's time to choose courage over fear to protect your values, your people, and your future. What is your 5% more courageous move today?
www.forbes.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Across industries, rising sick days, burnout, and turnover aren’t signs of employee weakness. They’re indicators of a culture misaligned with its people.
Change takes courage.
Sometimes courage looks like calling out a cultural issue.
Change takes courage.
Sometimes courage looks like calling out a cultural issue.
Effective leadership today isn’t about having the “right” answer. It’s about having a process that helps teams move forward when the path isn’t obvious.
There are four guidelines leaders can apply when the stakes are high and the variables are messy:
There are four guidelines leaders can apply when the stakes are high and the variables are messy:
November 24, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Effective leadership today isn’t about having the “right” answer. It’s about having a process that helps teams move forward when the path isn’t obvious.
There are four guidelines leaders can apply when the stakes are high and the variables are messy:
There are four guidelines leaders can apply when the stakes are high and the variables are messy:
My mother taught me two truths: success is never solo, and your voice should drive change.
Our industry needs courage, conscience & conviction—not just pragmatism.
Stand up. Speak truth. Lead with integrity.
Honored to be inducted into the PRWeek Hall of Fame.
Our industry needs courage, conscience & conviction—not just pragmatism.
Stand up. Speak truth. Lead with integrity.
Honored to be inducted into the PRWeek Hall of Fame.
November 21, 2025 at 5:24 PM
My mother taught me two truths: success is never solo, and your voice should drive change.
Our industry needs courage, conscience & conviction—not just pragmatism.
Stand up. Speak truth. Lead with integrity.
Honored to be inducted into the PRWeek Hall of Fame.
Our industry needs courage, conscience & conviction—not just pragmatism.
Stand up. Speak truth. Lead with integrity.
Honored to be inducted into the PRWeek Hall of Fame.
Many companies that once spoke boldly on sustainability, DEI, or social issues are finding that the landscape has shifted.
What used to feel like leadership can now feel like risk. Every statement gets scrutinized. Every initiative gets politicized.
What used to feel like leadership can now feel like risk. Every statement gets scrutinized. Every initiative gets politicized.
The Case for Quiet Corporate Activism
Leaders can sustain social and environmental commitments amid a hostile political climate by communicating thoughtfully.
sloanreview.mit.edu
November 21, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Many companies that once spoke boldly on sustainability, DEI, or social issues are finding that the landscape has shifted.
What used to feel like leadership can now feel like risk. Every statement gets scrutinized. Every initiative gets politicized.
What used to feel like leadership can now feel like risk. Every statement gets scrutinized. Every initiative gets politicized.
True courage isn’t only about bold action. It’s about balance.
It's important for leaders to remember that courage can show up not just in deficiency (hesitation, fear, avoidance), but also in excess (recklessness, overconfidence, or disregard for others’ input).
It's important for leaders to remember that courage can show up not just in deficiency (hesitation, fear, avoidance), but also in excess (recklessness, overconfidence, or disregard for others’ input).
Courage Isn’t Found — It’s Forged One Choice At A Time
Courage isn't found, but instead forged. It’s a muscle we build through action, repetition, and risk, guided by clarity on what courage is and how to develop it.
www.forbes.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:03 PM
True courage isn’t only about bold action. It’s about balance.
It's important for leaders to remember that courage can show up not just in deficiency (hesitation, fear, avoidance), but also in excess (recklessness, overconfidence, or disregard for others’ input).
It's important for leaders to remember that courage can show up not just in deficiency (hesitation, fear, avoidance), but also in excess (recklessness, overconfidence, or disregard for others’ input).
In every era of marketing, new tools and trends promise transformation. But what truly defines lasting success isn’t the technology we adopt, but it’s the trust we earn.
November 14, 2025 at 4:02 PM
In every era of marketing, new tools and trends promise transformation. But what truly defines lasting success isn’t the technology we adopt, but it’s the trust we earn.