In this episode of Powering Your Career, David Smith sits down with Mike Duffy, CEO at Elexia Communications, to unpack one of the most misunderstood capabilities in leadership, communication.

With a career spanning journalism, television, government advisory and senior roles across the energy sector, Mike brings a unique perspective on how leaders and organisations position themselves in an increasingly complex and scrutinised environment.

This episode dives into:

• What real thought leadership actually means and why most leaders miss the mark
• The biggest mistakes executives make when building their personal brand
• Why “safe” messaging doesn’t cut through
• How storytelling shapes public perception and drives change
• Why energy companies struggle to differentiate themselves
• The importance of simple, human communication in complex industries
• How poor community engagement is slowing down projects
• Why leaders need to show up, not just delegate communication
• The growing importance of EVP and employer branding in a competitive talent market

This is a must-listen for executives, leaders, and professionals across energy, infrastructure and corporate environments looking to sharpen how they communicate, influence and lead.

If you want to stand out, cut through the noise, and build a leadership profile that actually matters, this episode will challenge how you think about communication.