Navigating Challenging Conversations

Joanne Lockwood is joined by media communication specialist Michael Dodd to explore what makes difficult conversations go well, whether in the media, at work, or in high-pressure public situations.

Drawing on his background in broadcast journalism and media training, Michael shares practical approaches for preparing ahead of time: anticipating “blowtorch” questions, clarifying the message you need to land, and delivering answers that are both responsive and credible. They discuss how strong communicators use structure, specific real-life examples, and “planned spontaneity” to sound natural while staying grounded.

The conversation also examines truth-telling under scrutiny, how trust can be lost when leaders appear evasive or inconsistent, and why effective responses often need to address emotion before detail. Joanne and Michael reflect on crisis scenarios, organisational values, and the role leaders and spokespeople play in rebuilding credibility when something goes wrong.