In American politics right now, policy paralysis is real. Across sectors and industries, we’re seeing organizations strive to keep up with the dynamism of an energetic second Trump term. People hope August Recess will offer a respite from the nonstop nature of Washington in 2025.
Eh, probably not. We have a tariff deadline coming up (or do we?). Fighting in the Middle East continues, and so, too, do the geopolitical and domestic controversies around it. Congress is fighting about trading stocks. NYC’s frontrunner for mayor is confronted with his #DefundthePolice activism. We’re already talking about the midterms – and 2028 presidential primaries. The Epstein obsession persists. Oh, and people are mad about redistricting (and, apparently, blue jeans).
And that’s just this week. Headlines from a week before are a distant memory – and a month ago? They’ve been erased clean from our brains, replaced with the newest social media debates and hot takes.
That leaves leaders in business, nonprofits and policy struggling to “spin plates,” hoping to keep everything (safely) in motion while anticipating (as best they can) what happens next. And each day, they’re handed another plate to spin – re-evaluating their fiscal outlook, addressing cratering morale among overworked staff, keeping the team mission-focused when there’s plenty of temptation to think about everything else.
And, above all, they’re dreading a new communications crisis that could derail their organizations. Amid the chaos, here’s what smart leaders are doing instead:
Prioritizing a durable communications strategy. Smart leaders know that a winning approach is one that emphasizes durability, not merely reactivity. This allows them to sustain the ebbs and flows of the Trump Administration while building something that can last long after it (because, believe it or not, there’s something after it). They’re not hoping to merely survive another week of current events, but rather, looking for opportunities to best position themselves within them and after them.
Projecting stability and confidence. At The Lafayette Company, one of the most troubling trends we’ve noticed is the extreme responses to the Trump Administration. Some hope to hide away while the proverbial political “Angel of Death” passes by their home (it doesn’t work). Others are utterly belligerent, ever-ready to make uncharitable assumptions about the motivations of the White House and Republicans in Washington (also doesn’t work). Still others are trying to mask their lack of fluency on all things conservative (painfully transparent and doesn’t work). Organizations that focus instead on finding common ground on policy appear firm, steady and unbothered.
Making August count. It’s one thing to enjoy a much-needed family vacation this August. It’s another to go on autopilot because major fiscal legislation is done (for now). Smart leaders know that this administration is keen to use its executive authority and is very responsive to what’s in the news. They know that with this highly-engaged White House, there is no more “slow season,” even in August. As a result, they’ll use the upcoming month to develop a long-term strategy that works (and prepare for needing to spring into action in the meantime) while taking the opportunity to score big media hits, network within their coalitions and regroup for a busy fall.
Instead of being afraid of the uncertainty, our clients are cutting through the noise to achieve their policy and persuasion goals, from the editorial pages of the country’s biggest newspapers to inside high-level political meetings where deals are done. They’re not sitting idly by waiting for the news to happen to them. They’re taking advantage of this moment to not only survive the storm but also navigate to calmer waters.
Keep your plates spinning and your organization thriving with a communications strategy that works – now and always. The Lafayette Company has spent more than a decade influencing what matters – in Republican and Democratic administrations alike, before and during Trump, from prestige mainstream outlets to conservative social media. No matter what’s happening in Washington, our clients win when it matters most.
Need our help? Email us to get started – before the next headline shifts the game again. Make August count.