Follow the Boss! Follow your instinctics! Follow what's been working right! Remember the proverb "Too Many Cooks Spoil The Soup"

When there's misalignment, a great way to break the deadlock is to start at the end. If brand is what people say about you when you aren't in the room, then ask the group - "at the end of the day, what do you want people to say about your brand?". When you have that answer, reverse engineer all the things you need to do and say to manufacture that result and never waver.

It's so important to have a brand bible: mission, vision, values, voice, visual identity. So everyone who creates content for the brand, internal teams and external partners, help drive authenticity and consistency. I find creating a persona helps bring the brand to life so stakeholders can imagine and hear the voice. Especially when modeled after a celeb or familiar character. Certainly a collaborative effort to develop but ultimately messaging tone should be the responsibility of the Chief Brand Officer / Chief Creative Officer, the brand gatekeeper. When there are too many opining, the brand loses it's distinction and differentiation. Becoming bland, corporate, or chaotic.

It is best to reverse engineer what resonates with the people who you want your brand to align with. When you do this, the data will reveal what is best for the brand’s message. I find that this makes it easier for stakeholders to get on the same page. Data does not lie. It reveals what is truly best.

When stakeholders clash over the tone of a brand's messaging, it's essential to prioritize the voice that best aligns with the brand's identity, values, and target audience. The guiding voice should ideally come from the brand's leadership team, specifically those in charge of brand strategy and marketing. These individuals have a comprehensive understanding of the brand's vision and market positioning. However, input from other stakeholders, such as sales, customer service, and product development, can provide valuable perspectives to ensure the messaging resonates with the audience and reflects the brand’s core message. Ultimately, the final decision should balance consistency with adaptability to market needs.