63. Alex Chapman, Allergan Aesthetics | The Control Paradox for CXOs

About this episode

Alex Chapman discusses the control paradox in executive communication and its implications in the digital age.

For leaders in high-trust sectors, control has long felt like safety. Control the message, control the narrative, control how you show up, and nothing can go wrong. But, as Alex Chapman explains in this episode, that instinct is now quietly doing the opposite of what was intended - particularly in our digital world - and executives risk being caught out. Alex is Head of Communications for Europe and Canada at Allergan Aesthetics, and has spent his career advising executives on reputation in some of the most heavily governed environments, including global pharmaceuticals, the public sector, and as an experienced press secretary in Australian politics. He has held senior regional and international communications roles, including at one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, where he focused on media and reputation across more than 190 international markets.  His assessment of communications, reputation and "control" has led to a memorable metaphor: as he describes it, managing a leader's voice today is like "strangling water" - the harder you grab, the less you actually hold. His reframe is subtle but powerful. The problem isn't control itself; it's what leaders and…

People in this episode

Host: Roger Christie

Guest: Alex Chapman

Topics covered

• digital reputation
• executive communication
• control paradox
• high-trust sectors
• leadership
• media management

Keywords

• control
• communication
• reputation
• executives
• digital world
• leadership
• trust

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Allergan Aesthetics, global pharmaceuticals, public sector, Australian politics

Places: Europe, Canada, international markets

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