Effective communication is at the heart of so many successful projects, relationships, and endeavors. Given its magical ability to make things happen, we thought it would be helpful to bring some of the best communicators we know together to share their stories and insights around how they developed their ability to communicate effectively.

Emily Crawford

Written communication is a crucial factor in business. Early in my career, I took a business writing class to hone my written communication skills. I learned the importance of getting to the point by asking this question: What’s in it for my reader? After all, I know it doesn’t take me long to stop reading and start skimming – or abandon the job altogether – if I have to hunt for information.

Getting to the point means being concise and choosing impactful words that zero in on the heart of the message. I often use a thesaurus to ensure I’m choosing the word closest to my intended meaning and avoid repetition. Read More>>

Dacia Parker

I think my ability to communicate effectively has been shaped more by presence than performance. It didn’t come from studying public speaking or following a formula—it came from listening. From paying attention.

Early in my career, I worked in retail, ran photo labs, and spent time with clients talking through their vision. I learned that people want to be seen. They want to feel heard and understood. And sometimes, the most powerful thing you can offer is not your opinion, but your attention. Read More>> 

Paulie Skaja

I learned the “gift of gab” at an early age by observing my father, a master storyteller who captivated audiences with narratives that created meaningful connections to the conversation at hand. His stories resonated deeply because they were authentic and purposeful, teaching me that effective communication creates genuine connections rather than merely transmitting information.

My communication style was equally shaped by negative examples. I witnessed individuals who relied on commands rather than courtesy, who engaged in gossip, and who lacked integrity when confronted. These counterexamples taught me what to avoid: communication without empathy creates distance rather than understanding. Read More>>