489 - How Do I Manage My Online Reputation Effectively, Especially During a Crisis?
Learn how CEOs can manage their online reputation during a crisis by showing up consistently and building public trust before problems arise. This episode explores how transparency and presence shape perception.
Want to build your Personal Brand?
Join the free Rising Stars Community
How Do I Manage My Online Reputation Effectively, Especially During a Crisis?
Leading Through the Storm: How Visibility Builds Trust Before You Need It Most? In business, a crisis isn’t a question of if, but when. And in those moments, your personal brand isn’t just a tool; it’s a lifeline.
In this episode of The Daily Hint, we explore how CEOs can use their online presence to navigate crises with credibility and confidence and why waiting for the storm to hit is the worst time to build trust.
1. Visibility Is the Best Insurance.
A common mistake among leaders: only showing up when something goes wrong. But trust isn’t built in a press release. It’s built over time through presence, personality, and honest communication, especially when things are going well. By being consistently visible, you humanise your role. When the inevitable misstep or challenge comes, your audience already sees you as a person, not a title.
2. Own the Narrative - Don’t Hide Behind It.
When crisis strikes, the instinct might be to go silent or let the PR team handle it. But the strongest move is often transparency. As a CEO, publicly acknowledging the issue, explaining the context, and owning the path forward demonstrates maturity, humility, and leadership. People don’t expect perfection. They expect honesty. Show up, speak clearly, and take responsibility.
3. Be Human, Not Just a Brand.
The days of polished, corporate-only communication are over. People follow people. A CEO who has already been sharing insights, lessons, and even mistakes builds an authentic connection with their audience, including employees, customers, investors, and media. During a crisis, humanity becomes your advantage. It softens the blow and opens the door for empathy.
4. Consistency Beats Perfection.
Don’t wait for a crisis to “activate” your personal brand. Make it a weekly habit. Regular posts, short videos, and podcast appearances, these touchpoints build a reputation over time that can’t be manufactured overnight when trouble arises. Start simple. Stay consistent. Speak your truth before the pressure demands it.
Final Perspective:
Online reputation isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present. And in times of crisis, the CEOs who have already earned trust don’t need to scramble for credibility; they already have it.
This episode shows you how to lead before the storm, not just during it.
Because when you consistently show up as a human, your reputation becomes your strongest asset.
Highlights:
00:00 Introduction: Using Online Reputation in Crisis Management
00:14 The Importance of CEO Visibility
00:24 Honesty and Transparency in Crisis
00:37 Building Trust Through Consistency
Links:
===========================
Equipment and Software I Use for My Videos and Podcasts
Jens Equipment and Software overview: https://www.jensheitland.com/equipment
===========================
Books that I read and recommend.
My Book Recommendations: https://www.jensheitland.com/books
===========================
Here are the ways to work with me:
Speaking: https://www.jensheitland.com/speaking
Leadership Skills Assessment: https://www.wearesucceed.com/
===========================
Connect with me!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jensheitland/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JensHeitlandofficial/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jensheitland/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jensheitland
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/jensheitland
Newsletter: https://www.jensheitland.com/newsletter
===========================
Subscribe and Listen to The Jens Heitland Show Podcast HERE:
YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjuSGi1feauCNSER3IKuGWg
Web: https://www.jensheitland.com/podcasthome
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jens-heitland-show-human-innovation/id1545043872?uo=4
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7H0GWMGVALyXnnmstYA1NL
===========================
Subscribe and Listen to The Daily Hint with Jens Heitland Podcast HERE:
YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2tLdutVh6b6nCBgWQ817eQ
Web: https://www.jensheitland.com/the-daily-hint
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-daily-hint-with-jens-heitland/id1722930497
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4T02uYPvcOrajPC6FgH64r?si=8aab1e7683204160&nd=1&dlsi=0f69c72af017454a
Transcript:
But what if there is a crisis and how do I use my online reputation as the CEO in managing that crisis? I think this is the most brilliant circumstance A CEO can have. There's a crisis and you ask the CEO are public, and when you're public. And visible, you are a human, and that means you can be honest. You can say, this didn't work well, if it was a mistake of the company, and you can be honest explaining what happened and why it happened and what you learned from it, and how you make sure it's not going to happen again. If you just show up in crisis moments, nobody will believe you, but if you show up regularly, people will trust you and understand that. Problems and mistakes can happen and see that as a normal challenge that is happening with every company as more you show up as better it is for the company because you are seen as the human.
