We're pleased to share that Justine Adelizzi has taken on a new role at One Strategy Group as our Head of Executive Thought Leadership. To commemorate the moment, we sat down with Justine to discuss how she thinks about and approaches the work we do.
Congrats on your new role, Justine! In your view, what are the most critical elements of effective communications in today’s ever-evolving business environment?
Today’s communications landscape is exceptionally tricky to navigate. There’s more noise than ever before, leaders and organizations are being asked to weigh in on increasingly thorny topics, and the stakes are high to get messaging and tone right. In this environment, effective communications demands:
How do you balance the need for authenticity with the demands of strategic messaging in high-stakes situations?
Strategy and authenticity don’t have to be at odds if you understand who your most important audiences are. Their needs don’t have to dictate your message, but they certainly need to inform it so that you can both meet people where they are and advance your own interests. Most importantly, you need to pass whatever you’re considering saying through a humanity check. Are you speaking to shared values? Are you prioritizing clarity and understanding? Are you conveying care for the people you’re talking to? If you can say yes to all those questions, you set yourself up to be both effective and authentic.
What role does effective communications play within organizations?
Communications often gets treated like it’s all keynotes, interviews, and emails. But everything we say and do—both internally and externally—communicates something, and it’s essential to make sure there’s alignment between those communications and what you want to achieve. Whether your goal is to become more innovative, make a strategic pivot, or drive organizational culture, great communications will pave the way for your success.
What role does storytelling play in the advice you provide to clients, and why is it important for leaders?
I often work with leaders who don’t think they have anything unique or interesting to say on a topic, particularly if it’s one that is popular or heavily covered. But I always remind them that no one can talk about an issue the same way they can if they bring their own personal experiences to the conversation. The human brain is hardwired to remember stories, making it one of the most effective ways a leader can influence and connect with stakeholders. Even if they don’t have a personal story on a specific topic, they can still use their megaphone to elevate the voices and perspectives of others—a powerful tool in its own right.
Is there a particular speech or quote that you’ve always admired? What about it resonates with you?
Like a lot of speechwriters, I love the Steve Jobs Stanford commencement address from 2005. My favorite quote from it is, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So, you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something—your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever.” It resonates with me for two big reasons. First, it sums up my own approach to life: I’ve never been afraid of making big leaps, and I’ve always trusted that if you work hard and do right by people, things will work out the way they’re supposed to. Second, it speaks to my own beliefs about why storytelling matters: it’s powerful to look back on the dots in your own life, decide what they mean, and craft a story that can help carry you into the future.
