Within minutes of President Trump announcing the U.S. missile attack on Iran this June, my inbox, WhatsApp chats, and text threads lit up. Colleagues and clients across sectors were debating whether they should weigh in on the monumental news and what to say.
For some, it was a gut check to confirm there was no need to speak. They included colleges that have committed to institutional neutrality and nonprofits dedicated to a secure Israel but without a direct stake in military or diplomatic issues. They saw little they could add beyond what many umbrella groups were already saying.
For one organization based in Israel, the decision to communicate was immediate. Within hours, they issued clear updates and expressed resilience and resolve.
But one of the most thoughtful conversations came from a global organization we work with at BandOne—a group that is grounded in religious practice and committed both to Israel’s security and a long-term vision of peace. Their leadership felt strongly they had something meaningful to contribute.
Three things stood out in our discussion:
- They saw this as a values moment. The attack touched on issues central to their mission. They believed their words could offer clarity, comfort, and context.
- They offered a unique lens. They could add a moral and scholarly voice that complemented more political or security-focused groups.
- They spoke with one voice. The CEO and board chair were in touch and aligned from the outset—no small feat, given the number of organizations where tension between professional and volunteer leadership is common.
Crises can bring out the best—or the worst—in an organization. That’s especially true in communications. Sometimes, groups that struggle to find consensus or the right words in crunch time recognize that as an opportunity to build processes and muscle memory so they can speak with clarity moving forward.
I didn’t expect to spend that Saturday night in June helping groups decide whether—and how—to respond to a moment in history. But it was a privilege to support these thoughtful, heartfelt discussions.
If your organization wants to build that capacity, BandOne can help.