We were lucky to catch up with Julianne Rhodes recently and have shared our conversation below.
Julianne, 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?
One thing I discovered early on about my communication style was my tendency to get caught in what I playfully call a “thought tornado.” As a creative thinker, my mind is a whirlwind of possibilities. I’ve come to understand that effective communication begins with mastering this internal chaos. Before I can explain my thoughts to someone else, I need to first grapple with them myself. Personally, I get clarity by thinking out loud or writing my thoughts on 100 tiny slips of paper and scooting them around the table. But not everyone can think process like I do. I’ve learned that effective communication requires an awareness of the other person’s preferred communication style. Some people just need to go sit with their thoughts. Before I realized this, I probably caused a lot of stress in some of my more introverted friends.
Another valuable lesson in my communication journey is the importance of considering the listener’s perspective. Filters and preconceived notions significantly impact how a message is received. What do these words mean in their vocabulary? What associations do they have with this concept? As for me, you might say I have been too concerned with how others experience my words. I like to call myself a recovering people-pleaser. I’ve had to strike a balance between being considerate of how others experience life, and taking responsibility for their experiences.
My college years introduced me to the concept of not burying the lede, a principle I learned while briefly studying reporting. We’ve got to give ourselves permission, especially as women, to get to the core of the message without all the unnecessary preamble. We don’t need to make excuses or cushion the blow. We can drop the protective layer, and speak clearly. Our conversations will be focused and to the point. Putting the bottom line up front has built my confidence as a communicator.
It took four decades for me to align my innate communication skills with a fulfilling career. In my role, I assist Christian nonfiction authors in transforming their tangled ideas into organized and impactful books. The birth of my SkillStory System, initially conceived for podcast scheduling, has evolved into a comprehensive tool for helping your reader learn biblical skills. Sadly, Christian teaching often leaves you with “a terrible case of the Shoulds.” I firmly believe that effective teaching isn’t about dictating “shoulds” but rather teaching “hows.” This philosophy is at the core of my system, emphasizing the importance of leaving room for the audience to process, digest, understand, and evaluate the shared information. In that way, communication between author and reader is one of respect and inspiration!
To sum it all up, my journey of practicing effective communication has been quite the exploration. It definitely takes self-awareness, adapting on the fly, and committing to expressing myself as clearly as possible.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I grew up in the Christian church, experiencing sermons from various denominations and serving on church staffs and worship teams. Despite dedicating my life to God, I often felt alone in figuring out how to live up to the biblical standards I was given. Religion can sometimes adopt a “because I said so” attitude. So even when we are aware, convinced, and desiring biblical teachings, we struggle to put them into practice. The close-knit communities, where these principles were modeled for us, are largely a thing of the past. Even the brothers and sister of the body of Christ are too busy, too private, and too timid to invest in mentoring one another. In this environment, we really lack the guidance we need to translate beliefs into actions.
Throughout my life, I’ve turned to Christian nonfiction books to teach me more about what it means to live like a Christ follower. After sifting through platitudes and guilt trips, and seeing how difficult it was to find quality books, I set out to change how we communicate about God and living out biblical principles. My goal is to make faith communication more tangible and applicable.
Few people follow through on the dream of writing a book. It is my passion to lend my creative and organizational skills to these projects that bring faith to life. I can think of no greater honor than to be a part of the work God is doing. My company, Contrary to Popular, offers a 12-week course that teaches the SkillStory System, which helps Christian nonfiction authors develop their idea into a transformative, skill-based book. My students are guided through the process of creating a robust outline so that they never have to stare at a blank page again.
If you would like to join the next course, visit contrarytopopular.com!
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?
Curiosity
The significant obstacle to effective communication often lies in our tendency to make assumptions. We frequently assume we possess the right answers or believe we understand the thoughts and feelings of others. This assumption is a natural shorthand our brains use, but it can hinder us from maintaining an open mind to new solutions and truly comprehending someone’s intended message.
To counteract this inclination to assume, I place great value on cultivating curiosity. Approaching problems, conversations, and even debates with a curious mindset keeps us receptive to deeper understanding and more effective solutions. Curiosity, I believe, is fundamental to creative problem-solving; it prompts us to thoroughly grasp the problem before delving into potential solutions.
When faced with the temptation to jump to conclusions, slowing down and fostering curiosity can be immensely beneficial. Taking a moment to put ourselves in the other person’s shoes allows us to set aside the immediate need to defend our perspective or proposed solutions. While there is always an opportunity to express our thoughts, embracing curiosity in our approach to situations invariably positions us as more well-rounded and wise communicators and problem solvers.
Clarity
There’s a common belief that being clever is the key to “good” writing and communication. However, from my experience, a clear message will almost always outperform a clever one. If we focus too much on wordplay, we often lose sight of the actual purpose behind what we’re saying. Messages that ramble, over-explain, or get lost in stories can be very hard to follow, especially for those who struggle with extended concentration. Even the brightest minds may struggle to convey their knowledge in a way that others can easily grasp, which is why being smart doesn’t always translate to being a good teacher.
Teaching, to a great extent, involves breaking down information into something clear and concise for students to understand. Cleverness can add a touch of fun and make things more memorable, but without clarity, cleverness often falls flat. If you’re aiming to improve as a writer or communicator, a good starting point is explaining your message at a 5th-grade level. This exercise forces you to cut out unnecessary details and ensure that your message is straightforward. Once your message is crystal clear, you can then consider elevating your language and incorporating more creative expression.
Compassion
When it comes to incorporating compassion into our communication, the instinctive focus might be on using inoffensive language. However, I believe that true compassion extends beyond vocabulary choices; it involves empathetically considering the journey of the person on the receiving end of our communication. For the authors I collaborate with, this often means reflecting on their own transformative journey before they mastered the skill they aim to teach. It’s crucial to revisit those early days filled with pain, struggle, and confusion, acknowledging the challenges they faced. Although the desire to guide others down a similar path is genuine, there’s a tendency to forget the raw experience of being in their shoes. Communicating with compassion allows us to lead our readers step by step, guiding them toward a solution that might initially seem foreign.
Building a connection that is both familiar and approachable can be challenging. If you’re uncertain whether your message is resonating with your audience, consider reaching out to someone you know is grappling with the issue. Engaging in conversations with someone who represents your audience allows you to gain a clearer understanding of their current experiences and how they perceive your guidance. This firsthand insight enables you to fine-tune your communication style, ensuring it aligns with the familiarity and approachability your audience needs.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is someone who feels they have a book in their heart, but doesn’t know exactly how to start. They believe clear and effective communication is essential to sharing their faith through their Christian nonfiction writing. They aren’t afraid to explore new ideas and push past the trite messages people have heard so many times before. They certainly aren’t trying to flaunt their experience, but want to connect with their audience on a relatable level. Whether experienced or aspiring, an individual embracing curiosity, compassion, and a step-by-step process would love working with me to learn the SkillStory System.
This system is particularly beneficial for visual learners, using numerous graphics to help them grasp concepts effectively. It suits those who need to narrow down their ideal reader, preventing them from spreading themselves too thin while addressing everyone with their book. Additionally, it caters to individuals with a multitude of ideas but struggle to organize them cohesively. If you find yourself needing assistance in plotting your book and dread facing a blank page when you write, this system is designed with you in mind.
Contact Info:
- Website: contrarytopopular.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliannerhodes/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@contrary.to.popular
