Clarity that keeps programs on track
The Clarity Under Fire Starter Kit gives you practical tools to communicate under pressure and in the everyday work of programs. If you’re writing a brief update, leading a briefing, or responding in a crisis, this kit helps you steady people, build trust, and keep programs on track.
In program delivery, or in a crisis, silence isn’t an option
People expect you to know what to say and to say it clearly, whether it’s a program update, a donor report, a media interview, or a leadership briefing with emotions running high. But here’s the truth: when the stakes feel heavy, most people tend to:
Freeze
Ramble or Waffle
Talk without structure, creating more confusion.
The Clarity Under Fire Starter Kit helps you avoid that.
Clear Words. Calm Delivery. Real Direction.
The Clarity Under Fire Starter Kit is a messaging tool that gives you a simple, high-trust framework you can use on the spot, even when facts are shifting and emotions are raw.
If you’re giving an impromptu program update or crafting a statement for the media, you’ll be able to:
Get to the point
Sound steady, not scripted
Move people to action with clarity and care
Because in time-sensitive situations, it’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it, and how soon you say it.
What You Get Inside the Kit
The Clarity Under Fire Framework
A 3-part message model that works for spoken updates, written program updates and media statements, and anything in between.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
So you don’t freeze, over-explain, or miss what people actually need from you, or your organisation.
Pro Tips from the Field
How to speak when you don’t have all the facts, when tech fails, or when emotions are high.
Quick Message Template
A fill-in-the-blanks tool to help you write or speak your next message in under 10 minutes.
This is for you if…
You’re the person people look to when something needs to be said.
You don’t need to be a comms expert, just someone who understands that in stressful and time-sensitive situations, a calm voice and clear words can change everything.
The Clarity Under Fire Starter Kit is perfect for:
Service and program leaders
Community leaders and government officials
Project managers and anyone in high trust roles
Communications leads and media spokespeople
Health and emergency teams
Human beings who care about saying it right when it counts.
I’ve written in the middle of disasters, crises, change, and the everyday work of programs.
I’m Vienna Senima Richards, with deep experience across health, education, community, government, and emergency response in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific.
My professional roots are in journalism and communications, and I’ve also built strong experience in program management and delivery. That combination has helped me support leaders and organisations through everything from urgent crises to the everyday reporting and communication that keeps programs on track. I’ve helped teams and leaders prepare messages, reports, and media interviews in situations such as:
Major disasters and public health emergencies
Organisational change and high-pressure community issues
Program delivery, evaluation, and reporting where clarity is critical
Media firestorms and national scrutiny
What I’ve learned is this: your words don’t have to be perfect. People are forgiving if you’re sincere and humble. But you do need to be clear — and as honest as you can be — in the moment.
That’s why I created the Clarity Under Fire Starter Kit. It’s a simple, step-by-step guide for when you need to show up calm, steady, and clear. Whether you’re under fire in a crisis or preparing program updates, this kit helps you support delivery, build trust, and communicate in a way people can hear.