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.
Connor Mansberger
Being a professional creative, hard skills don’t come naturally to me–especially when they involve numbers. But I’m very fortunate to have earned some of these foreign skills in my previous life while in the military. With an artist’s brain undercover in engineering school and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (or AFROTC–military training while in college), my weakness to think with a type-A and mathematical mind thankfully strengthened as I was involved in both both of these programs. Read more>>
Miosotty Ortega Cruz
Like everything in life, things take time. Becoming a mother I was taught by my first born to have patience, and expand my vocabulary to communicate effectively. Communication is key and when that key is missing so are the comfort levels in life. Comfort levels for me are the assumptions based on your perspective of a person, place or thing. As a human being we all have different needs. All explain; some people’s nervous system that are sensitive are primed to be more reactive to stimuli. Read more>>
Sasha Chada
Talking with people and really understanding them is probably the most important part of my job. I work with students and parents on the college application process, and this has to start with understanding what they want to get out of it. I may come in with my own ideas about strategy or the best colleges to fit their situation, but what they want needs to remain the focus; I can advise, but I can’t dictate. Read more>>
Veronica Rouse
In my early days as a Registered Dietitian, I was passionate about helping people improve their heart health, but I quickly realized that simply sharing facts and data wasn’t enough. I had all the right information, backed by science, but translating that into something meaningful for my clients was a different challenge. I noticed that while they nodded along during sessions, they often struggled to implement the advice I gave them. Read more>>
Crystal Gunn
I’ve always been more of a listener than a talker, which has given me ample opportunity to hone my observation skills. Over time, I’ve discovered there’s a real art to effective listening—it’s not just about hearing words, but also about noticing what isn’t said. My natural inclination towards observation complements this skill well. Read more>>
Caroline Tucker
Effective communication is crucial in every aspect of my work. First and foremost, clear communication helps me understand exactly what a customer wants, which is essential to meeting their expectations. Confirming details with a customer when I am unsure prevents me from having to guess what they are envisioning or from producing a product they are unhappy with. In the long run, that saves me time and prevents redoing work if I take the time initially to communicate clearly. Good communication is also very important when working with team members. I work with temporary employees and it is important for them to know the process to create a design and engrave a product. Read more>>
Rebecca Kochanek
Growing up, communication wasn’t always comfortable for me. I faced severe bullying, struggled to be heard in my home, and dealt with a controlling romantic relationship that stifled my voice. I was also forced into a church environment where I was pressured to conform to a standard that didn’t feel authentic to my own values. Read more>>
