Meet Lisa Gennosa

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lisa Gennosa. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lisa below.

Hi Lisa, thanks for sitting with us today to chat about topics that are relevant to so many. One of those topics is communication skills, because we live in an age where our ability to communicate effectively can be like a superpower. Can you share how you developed your ability to communicate well?
Most importantly, the ability to communicate effectively means listening to understand and listening with empathy. Allowing people to talk without interrupting or talking over them enables me to respond much more efficiently. It is an important practice in medicine, but also in my daily life. Active listening is another term that describes this ability to provide undivided, non-judgmental attention and provide feedback while gaining trust.

Effective communication is a skill that needs to be developed. I honed my skills to effectively communication in order to work with my patients, who truly need to be heard, more efficiently. We can’t effectively diagnose if we don’t listen to the problem. In medicine, the goal is to help people see where change can benefit their health, therefore, being able to inspire others with your words, and convince people to change their unhealthy lifestyles, becomes very important. I expanded my communication skills by working with individuals with substance use disorder and with audiences when doing my speaking engagements.

Effective communication also requires the ability to read non-verbal communication, which is the majority of what we are truly communicating. And lastly, having humility when talking to people ensures you are meeting them where they are. This opens up the individual with whom you are speaking and allows a trust to develop. With trust, empathy, active listening, reading non-verbal communication, and connecting from a place of humility, open and effective communication comes naturally.

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 never thought I would become an author, but it became my purpose. While working as a physician assistant in family medicine, my life had turned upside down due to having a child with substance use disorder. As any parent that has experienced this knows, it can be life upending. As a result, I turned to writing and trying to solve the enigma that is addiction.

My writing turned into a resource guide and a memoir, and my art form was born. Today, I have found purpose in helping so many others through the constant maze of loving someone with an addiction disorder. It took me into the non-profit realm by helping incarcerated individuals with substance use disorder and by speaking to law enforcement and medical professionals about crisis intervention, de-escalation and the de-criminalization of mental health and substance use disorder.

There is no way you could have convinced me that this is where I would be today–an author, a public speaker, an advocate, and an educator. Most importantly, I’m grateful I’ve had the chance to help others while helping my own child and besides, as someone once said, “There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.”

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Education, training and progressing slowly were just a few ways that proved to be the most impactful when learning to communicate with others individually, when writing and when speaking. If the confidence to communicate effectively isn’t born from natural instincts, then enrolling in effective communication, non-verbal communication, speech or writing classes can certainly be a way to develop your confidence. Additionally, start small. One on one can grow to thousands over time if you recognize that those sitting right in front of you are just as human as you. And lastly, be prepared. Not being ready to give information to one individual or a large group of people shows every time. Know your value and look at it as an ability to share that value with others.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
The book, Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday was a formative book in my understanding of human nature. It became an important resource when talking to individuals in the practice of medicine as well as with individuals with an addiction disorder.

Effective communication begins by letting go of the ego. Ultimately, this humility allows you to listen actively, respect others’ perspectives, and admit when you’re wrong, fostering an environment of trust and openness. It helps you avoid defensiveness and promotes collaboration by valuing others’ contributions. In communication, humility cultivates empathy, leading to deeper connections and understanding.

There was so much to be gained from this book, but I like the quote, “Your potential, the absolute best you’re capable of—that’s the metric to measure yourself against.” The book emphasizes humility, self-awareness, and constant learning as antidotes to ego-driven behavior. Holiday emphasizes the ability to cultivate a mindset of continuous improvement.

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