We recently connected with Ama Agyapong-Hooks and have shared our conversation below.
Ama, thank you so much for making time for us today. We can’t wait to dive into your story and the lessons you’ve learned along the way, but maybe we can start with something foundational to your success. How have you gone about developing your ability to communicate effectively?
I really enjoy communicating with people! The most gratifying aspect of communication is listening rather than speaking. This preference reflects my enjoyment of understanding others and valuing their perspectives in conversations.
I have leveraged the 5 Cs of communication (connection, clarity, confidence, conciseness, and consistency) to develop my communication ability.
1. I try to take away one learning nugget from every conversation, even if it’s gaining insights into how that person thinks. This not only enriches my own understanding but also deepens the connection between us.
2. I ask substantive open-ended questions to learn more about the “why.” This approach brings clarity to the conversation.
3. I show up as my best authentic self; enabling me to gauge my audience and read the room effectively. This authenticity instills confidence and enhances my ability to connect with others in various ways.
4. I recap the conversation to ensure alignment between what the other person said and what I heard. This practice promotes conciseness and helps maintain a clear and accurate exchange of information.
5. I remain grounded in the purpose of the conversation, which provides consistency.
Keep in mind that each conversation is a chance just to share information or establish a meaningful connection with someone. I hope you feel motivated to foster those connections!
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Absolutely, my name is Ama Agyapong-Hooks, but I’m also known as ‘That Inclusion Lady.’ I view communication as my catalyst for positive change, and my personal commitment to enhancing our world. When engaging with others, my goal is to make that person feel seen and heard. Wondering how I got to this place of communicating for a living. As a DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) consultant and facilitator with a background in finance (holding a bachelor’s degree) and a Global Management-focused MBA, I’ve honed my ability to convey important messages through words and connection. However, my journey in this DEI space began with curiosity, attentive listening, reading lots of books (‘Smart Brevity’ was a game changer), and talking to many folks.
I teach concepts that spark self-reflection and enlightenment, help organizations become more equitable, and foster behaviors that create inclusive work environments.
When should you think of ‘That Inclusion Lady’??
For speaking engagements, workshops, podcasts, and panels! Teaching through storytelling is my jam!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment, and often, it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Self-Awareness & Authenticity
2. Celebrating Differences
3. Life-Long Learning
One last piece of advice would be education without action is pure entertainment. We have a plethora of information readily available, but how does that information make a difference in your daily interactions?
Cheat code: find one thing to apply!
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played an important role in your development?
I read a lot, so there are so many impactful books. But since I must choose one, I will say “Five Things Successful People Do Before 8 am” by Terri Savelle Foy.
That book came at a time in my life when I needed guidance. Picture this: I was a new mom who recently quit her well-paying corporate America job, a new wife, and I had recently lost my grandfather. Your girl was stressed! This book gave me a practical daily routine that helped me navigate the overwhelm and reignited my vision for the future! I found a way to win at something every day, and as a result, I have become more disciplined and more self-aware. For example, I make time for prayer, exercise, journaling, and planning most mornings. It’s great!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lnk.bio/amathatinclusionlady
- Instagram: @that_inclusionlady
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ama-a-hooks/
