Strong communication isn’t about saying things clearly. It’s about being understood the way you intend.

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, Alex D. Tremble sits down with Darrin Kayser, Executive Vice President at Edelman, the world’s largest communications firm. With over 30 years of experience across government, military, and global organizations, Darrin shares what most executives misunderstand about communication at the highest levels.

Together, they unpack why communication failures, not capability, are often the root cause of misalignment, resistance, and slow execution inside executive teams.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Why communication must be two way, not just top down
2. How empathy and listening build trust across stakeholders
3. Why misalignment often comes from how messages are received
4. How to structure communication that actually drives action
5. Why avoiding hard conversations creates bigger execution problems

This episode is for you if:

1. Your executive team is capable but not fully aligned
2. Conversations feel harder than they should
3. You’re still clarifying decisions after meetings
4. Miscommunication is slowing execution across your organization

If you want to better understand where trust, proactivity, and productivity may be breaking down on your team, take the free executive leadership diagnostic at gpsleadership.org/diagnostic.

Listen now to learn how strategic communication builds trust, reduces friction, and helps your executive team move faster without everything rolling up to you.

Follow and share this episode with another senior leader working to align their team.