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.
Niki Bridges
I think a big part of communication is curiosity. Just being curious about others and having a willingness to learn about new places and things really opens the door to effective communication. I’ve always been a writer and a lover of words. I used to write fiction stories when I was a kid through a young adult. Read more>>
Justin Wise
Learning to communicate effectively came over time. I’m sure it can look differently depending on the career one is in. For me in the Auto Detailing industry it all came down to truly listening to the client and what they were looking for when it came to cleaning and protecting their vehicle. Read more>>
Colin Speer
Since I was a young boy my father always ensured that I communicated respectfully. He would always harp on me making eye contact and being attentive. Over the years it has turned into him teaching me how to market myself and not being afraid of putting myself out in the business world. He always tells me, “The worst thing someone can say to you is no”. He has been in sales his whole life and he had a very positive impact on me. Read more>>
Marisa Tontaveetong
Navigating the realm of efficient communication hasn’t been without its challenges. Particularly when I discovered I had ADHD in my adulthood years. Not knowing this prior, I’ve grappled with a tendency to veer off-topic like a squirrel on a sugar rush, speak at the speed of a bullet train, and string my thoughts together like a kebab made by a distracted chef. But here’s the twist: that quirky chaos somehow landed me in leadership and management roles. Read more>>
Shay Moore
Effective communication is actually a strong skill of mine that I’ve developed over time. As crazy as it may sound, I think it began with talking to myself a lot as a child, rather, it be journaling, or pretending I’m on tv and being interviewed on a red carpet! I also spent a lot of time volunteering in kindergarten classrooms starting at the age of 10. Read more>>
Anna Dunwody
have always had the inherent need to be able to understand why people do or say what they do. My ability to communicate effectively comes from the desire to learn about someone else’s story. I find each individual journey so personal and interesting, and if someone has reached a level of vulnerability where they feel safe enough to share that with me, I feel like it is so important to hold space for them and actively listen. It’s all about listening to understand, not listening to respond. Read more>>
Sarah Alysse Bobo
When I was in 4th grade my parents had me attend First Stage Children’s Theater Academy. During that time, I learned the value of improvisation, collaboration through scene work, & harmonizing through musical theater workshops. Those skills have made me into a creator, wellness warrior & leader in my company Live Well Enhance You LLC. Read more>>
Randall and Lekisha Fulwood
Randall says, “I would say that my ability to communicate effectively first was instilled into me by mother and grandmother, who were both long-term teachers in my hometown of Sumter, South Carolina; they definitely were very serious about my education. Additionally, my entire family is heavily involved in community service; even though my personality is generally quieter by nature, they made sure that I knew how to speak up when necessary. Read more>>
Christin ‘Loocie’ Glover
Communicating effectively is part of being a brand identity designer. I’ve experienced what happens when things are miscommunicated and I’ve learned from that. You can prevent so many misunderstandings but just having a conversation, asking questions, and listening. I’ve also learned you have to do research, and practice (test) in order to deliver a message or response with empathy and understanding to that specific audience. Read more>>
G. Brian Benson
How did I develop my ability to communicate effectively? Read more>>
Stacy Smith
As a kid, I made a habit of using a dictionary any time I heard a word I didn’t know. There’s an extent to which what you can say is limited to the breadth of your vocabulary. I’m also a character study and I think that’s aided me in building emotional intelligence. For me, effective communication is one part knowing the words that accurately convey your message and one part understanding how to engage people. Read more>>
