--- title: "EP#167: Comms unlocked: insights on influence, ethics and a lasting career in Government" description: David Pembroke chats with Sharon Rosenrauch, Principal Behavioural Scientist at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water. image: https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/Ep%20167%20Announce%20Tile.jpg --- Talk to us [![fb](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/facebook-brands.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/govcinstitute) [![li](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/linkedin-brands.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/govcomms-institute) [![tw](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/twitter-brands.svg)](https://twitter.com/govc_institute) [![in](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/instagram-brands.svg)](https://www.instagram.com/govcommsinstitute/) [![logo-white](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-white.png?width=197&height=40&name=logo-white.png "logo-white")](https://contentgroup-19617054.hs-sites.com/home-2) [![GCI Horizontal Logo](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GCI%20%20Horizontal%20Logo.png?width=197&name=GCI%20%20Horizontal%20Logo.png "GCI Horizontal Logo")](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/ep163-managing-high-stakes-events-and-data-driven-government-communication-0-0-0-0) - [Podcast](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast) - [About us](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/about) - [Contact us](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/contact) [Back to blog](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast) # EP#167: Comms unlocked: insights on influence, ethics and a lasting career in Government [![](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/GovComms%20Institute%20Logo-01.jpg)  GovComms Institute Team](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/author/govcomms-institute-team)  | Oct 16, 2024 10:09:44 AM [Featured](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/featured) ![](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/Ep%20167%20Announce%20Tile.jpg) What does it take to navigate a decades-long career in government communications while navigating ethics, changing media landscapes, and building lasting influence? In this special two-part episode of GovComms, David Pembroke sits down with Michael Player, a communications veteran with nearly five decades of experience. From his very first job to his long stint with NZ Police, Michael shares the highs and lows of working in public sector communications. Join us as Michael reflects on the ethical backbone of the profession, revealing how great communicators must speak truth to power, even when it's uncomfortable. Michael’s journey is full of wisdom for both introverts and extroverts alike, proving that in a people-first profession, it’s the quiet listeners who often make the biggest impact. This episode is packed with insights on how to navigate the shifting tides of today’s media landscape, where misinformation abounds, and how to maintain influence in an ever-evolving field. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, Michael’s career lessons on leadership, ethics, and crisis management will inspire you to step up, take initiative, and become a true communications leader.     Stream the episode on Spotify: Discussed in this episode: - Importance of initiative and building rapport - Ethical responsibility and speaking truth to power - Michael Player’s three A’s: accessibility, affordability, ability - Being a good listener in communication - The evolving media landscape and digital platforms - Career advice: patience and continuous learning Transcript: [A transcript of this episode can be found here.](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/GovComms%20Ep%20167%20-%20Michael%20Player%20Transcript.pdf) --- ###### About the Author GovComms Institute Team ### On the same subject ### [EP#169: Fighting Disinformation in Cities: Insights from the Global Response Playbook](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/ep163-managing-high-stakes-events-and-data-driven-government-communication-0-0-0-0-0-0) [GovComms Institute Team](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/author/govcomms-institute-team) [Featured](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/featured) ### [EP#171: The AI Revolution in Comms](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/ep163-managing-high-stakes-events-and-data-driven-government-communication-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0) [GovComms Institute Team](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/author/govcomms-institute-team) [Featured](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/featured) ### [EP#168: From Disaster to Dialogue: Crisis, Community, and Communication](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/ep163-managing-high-stakes-events-and-data-driven-government-communication-0-0-0-0-0) [GovComms Institute Team](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/author/govcomms-institute-team) [Featured](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/featured) [![GCI Horizontal Logo](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GCI%20%20Horizontal%20Logo.png?width=200&height=41&name=GCI%20%20Horizontal%20Logo.png "GCI Horizontal Logo")](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/) A global platform for government communicators. - SITE MAP - [Home](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com) - [About us](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/about) - [Contact us](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/contact) - LEGALS - [Privacy Policy](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/pirivacy-policy) - [Terms & Conditions](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/terms-and-conditions) - CONTACT US - [+61 2 6273 0232](tel:+61%202%206273%200232) - [govcomms.institute@contentgroup.com.au](mailto:govcomms.institute@contentgroup.com.au) - [Level 3, 2 Mort Street, Canberra, ACT 2601 GPO Box 2381, Canberra, ACT 2601](https://goo.gl/maps/4iAFuvdJ1KbTe28CA) - Copyright © 2020 contentgroup Theme designed by [Markentive](https://www.markentive.com/)