Communicast: A Communication Skills Podcast

Remove your assumptions. Otherwise, you are just going throughout your day guessing. Sage advice from my guest, Heather Younger. Heather is a TEDx Keynote Speaker, Author, and the Founder and CEO of Employee Fanatix. In this episode, we discuss the importance of closing the communication loop, how to balance action with curiosity, and building positive employee experiences.  

I hope you enjoy. 

Additional Resources:

► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond
► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/
► Connect with Heather on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatheryounger
► Subscribe to the podcast: https://communicast.simplecast.com/
► Learn more about Communispond: https:www.communispond.com
► Download the ProSpeak® app. Providing users with instant feedback on presentation and communication skills. - Apple: https://apple.co/3jTJbqe

Key Moments: 

The importance of closing the communication loop [00:08:21]

Companies often fail to include enough people in decision-making processes and neglect to communicate the actions taken based on feedback.

Balancing action with curiosity [00:06:21]

Managing the tendency to jump into action by slowing down, asking questions, and gaining a holistic view before taking action.

Building positive employee experiences [00:01:14]

Creating an employee engagement council to improve culture during a merger and addressing blind spots in leadership to drive a positive employee experience.

The importance of closing the loop [00:09:16]

Closing the loop on feedback and communication leads to better engagement, productivity, and loyalty.

Key communication skills for success [00:11:15]

Removing assumptions, asking open-ended questions, and providing context are critical communication skills.

Being present in communication [00:16:39]

Having presence and being fully present in communication makes people feel valued and cared for.

Creating Safe Spaces for Communication [00:20:14]

The importance of creating safe spaces for open communication at home and work.

Being Present and Responsive [00:22:31]

The significance of being present and responsive to others' needs in order to stand out in various professional spaces.

Asking the Right Questions [00:24:39]

The value of asking the right questions during interviews to anticipate concerns and overcome objections on the spot.

The importance of asking "what else should I know?" [00:27:04]

Asking this question at the end of a conversation can lead to valuable insights and information.

Contacting Heather Younger on LinkedIn [00:27:44]

Heather suggests connecting with her on LinkedIn as a way to stay in touch and access her content.

The importance of removing assumptions and asking questions [00:28:17]

Heather's advice on removing assumptions and asking questions to improve communication skills.

What does a 340 pound NFL lineman and a 7 year old have in common? When communicating with either of them, you better focus on the “why”.  

In this episode I am joined by 7-time All American and University of South Carolina Hall of Fame Swimmer, Jennifer Brunelli. Jennifer is a Registered Dietician and Founder of Sports RDpro where she has worked with the Carolina Panthers, Roush Fenway Racing, and athletes of all shapes and sizes to ensure they are fueled for success.  

I hope you enjoy.  

Additional Resources:

► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond
► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/
► Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-brunelli-ms-rd-ldn-0735929/
► Subscribe to the podcast: https://communicast.simplecast.com/
► Learn more about Communispond: https:www.communispond.com
► Download the ProSpeak® app. Providing users with instant feedback on presentation and communication skills. - Apple: https://apple.co/3jTJbqe

Do you suffer from calendar clutter? Is clutter causing tension at home?  My guest Laurie, Palau, is the founder of Simply B Organized, a lifestyle service designed to help you live simply and work smarter.  

In this episode we talk about how communication skills are a key driver for reducing clutter in all aspects of your life, the importance of goals, and why you need to be specific in your communication.  

I hope you enjoy. 

Additional Resources:

► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond
► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/
► Connect with Lauri Palau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simplyborganized
► Subscribe to the podcast: https://communicast.simplecast.com/
► Learn more about Communispond: https:www.communispond.com
► Download the ProSpeak® app. Providing users with instant feedback on presentation and communication skills. - Apple: https://apple.co/3jTJbqe

Listen with empathy and practice conversational intelligence. Sound advice from my guest Dr. Aaron Bishop. Dr. Bishop is a multifaceted transformational leader with experience in education, politics, philanthropy, and is the author of For Such a Time as This.  

In this episode we talk about the power of stories, empathy, and how to develop main character energy.  

I hope you enjoy. 

Key Points: 

Power of Stories [00:02:39] Dr. Bishop discusses the impact of words and stories on his life and the importance of conversational intelligence.

Conversational Intelligence [00:04:26] Dr. Bishop explains the concept of conversational intelligence and its role in effective communication and leadership.

Listening with Empathy [00:10:05] Dr. Bishop emphasizes the power of listening with empathy and aligning oneself as a solution provider in leadership and communication.

Empathy and Truth [00:11:54] Dr. Bishop discusses the importance of empathy in a world filled with real information and disinformation, and how it allows people to safely state their opinions and build together.

Communication and Leadership [00:14:43] The speakers emphasize the importance of empathy and communication skills in leadership, including the need for regular, open, and honest conversations to prevent negative assumptions and drive towards common goals.

Storytelling and Personability [00:19:29] Dr. Bishop shares his communication skills of storytelling and being personable, highlighting the power of engaging people through stories and building trust with best intentions.

Title [00:24:13] Importance of being personable and finding what works best for effective communication.

Title [00:25:14] Building bridges in conversation through open-ended questions and active listening.

Title [00:28:26] The significance of association and connecting dots in conversation to build relationships and gain trust.

Reading for Communication Skills [00:34:53] Reading improves communication skills by providing credible information, improving grammar and writing skills, storytelling skills, and vocabulary.

Advice on Communication Skills [00:35:56] Dr. Bishop gives advice on the importance of communication skills and their impact on one's life.

Finding Your Voice and Restoring Balance [00:36:19] Dr. Bishop emphasizes the importance of finding one's voice, building a toolbox of communication skills, and maintaining a balance between development and reflection.

Additional Resources:

► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond
► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/
► Connect with Dr. Bishop on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-aaron-bishop-04453112/
► Learn more about Dr. Bishop’s work: https://www.bishopspeaks.com
► Subscribe to the podcast: https://communicast.simplecast.com/
► Learn more about Communispond: https:www.communispond.com
► Download the ProSpeak® app. Providing users with instant feedback on presentation and communication skills. - Apple: https://apple.co/3jTJbqe

Make every word count and aim for progress not perfection. According to this episode’s guest, those are two great ways to become an effective communicator.  Joining me is Alejandro Cornejo. Alejandro is a Learning and Organizational Development Consultant who eats, drinks, and sleeps development.  

In this episode, we talk about how to become a better listener, the importance of asking pertinent questions, and how words are like a chainsaw.  

I hope you enjoy. 

Additional Resources:

► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond
► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/
► Connect with Alejandro on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandroecornejo/
► Subscribe to the podcast: https://communicast.simplecast.com/
► Learn more about Communispond: https:www.communispond.com
► Download the ProSpeak® app. Providing users with instant feedback on presentation and communication skills. - Apple: https://apple.co/3jTJbqe

Focus on your audience and use stories. That is the key advice from my guest, Rob Lauber. Rob is a career learning and development executive for brands such as McDonald’s, YUM!, and Cingular Wireless. He is also the Founder and CEO of XLO Global where he helps learning teams drive more business value. 

In this episode we talk about the importance of focusing on your audience, how to use stories to convey your message, and being confident that you don’t know something. 

I hope you enjoy. 

Key Points:

Importance of Focusing on the Audience [00:01:01] Rob Lauber talks about his 30-year career in learning and development, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the audience and understanding their sentiment.

The Power of Storytelling [00:03:43] Rob Lauber and Scott D'Amico discuss the importance of storytelling in communication, and how it can help connect with the audience and convey complex ideas.

Using Examples to Connect with the Audience [00:06:00] Scott D'Amico and Rob Lauber discuss how using examples and simple stories can help connect with the audience and convey complex ideas in a relatable way.

Importance of relatability in storytelling [00:07:24] Rob and Scott discuss the importance of relatability in storytelling and how it can help connect with the audience.

Soft skills in the workplace [00:08:12] Rob shares his insights on the importance of soft skills in the workplace, particularly in the digital communication space.

Impact of video in business communication [00:11:54] Scott and Rob discuss the acceleration of people being willing to do business without having met face-to-face, and the impact of video in business communication.

Importance of Audience Understanding [00:14:25] The speakers discuss the importance of understanding the audience when communicating, especially in a multi-generational workforce, and how to anticipate pushback.

Providing Context during Times of Change [00:15:52] The speakers emphasize the importance of providing context during times of change to avoid lost productivity and uncertainty.

Direct Communication and Confidence [00:18:48] The speakers discuss the importance of being concise and direct in communication, as well as being confident in admitting when one does not know something.

Leadership and Communication [00:21:45] Scott and Rob discuss the importance of leaders being willing to admit when they don't know something and the benefits of creating a culture where team members can learn from each other.

Learning from Communication Experts [00:23:55] Rob shares how he has learned from communication experts throughout his career, and the importance of seeking feedback from them to improve communication skills.

Reading for Communication Improvement [00:27:56] Scott and Rob emphasize the importance of reading to improve communication skills, whether it's reading internal company messaging or press releases from other companies.

Importance of Face-to-Face and Verbal Communications [00:28:56] Rob Lauber discusses the importance of face-to-face and verbal communications, especially for those coming out of school, and how it is a skill that needs to be honed to be an effective communicator.

Adapting to Digital Communication [00:29:47] Rob Lauber talks about the challenge of adapting to digital communication and how it is important to build skills in blogging, writing good posts, and leveraging communication channels like LinkedIn to build customers.

Encouraging Face-to-Face Communication [00:31:53] Scott D'Amico and Rob Lauber discuss the importance of face-to-face communication and how it is a skill that needs to be practiced, especially for kids who are often buried in their phones. They encourage taking opportunities to communicate face-to-face with people in higher positions to build communication skills.

Additional Resources:

► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond
► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/
► Connect with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-lauber/
► Subscribe to the podcast: https://communicast.simplecast.com/
► Learn more about Communispond: https:www.communispond.com
► Download the ProSpeak® app. Providing users with instant feedback on presentation and communication skills. - Apple: https://apple.co/3jTJbqe

Confidence is courage plus commitment. My guest, Lisa Guillot, is the Founder and Lead Coach at Be Bright Lisa where she helps her clients bring their vision to life through her Clear Vision Framework.  

In this episode, we talk about the formula for building confidence, the important role self-awareness plays in growth, and how to deal with imposter syndrome.  

I hope you enjoy. 

Additional Resources:

► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond
► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/
► Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisagguillot/
► Subscribe to the podcast: https://communicast.simplecast.com/
► Learn more about Communispond: https:www.communispond.com
► Download the ProSpeak® app. Providing users with instant feedback on presentation and communication skills. - Apple: https://apple.co/3jTJbqe

Clarity is kindness. It is so simple, yet so powerful. That’s the message from my guest, Dr. K.L. Allen, who is the Chancellor of WGU Ohio. K.L. has spent his career in higher education and has seen firsthand the impact communication skills can have on career outcomes.  

In this episode we talk about providing clarity, the role preparation plays in listening, and why you should “give people their flowers.”

I hope you enjoy. 

Additional Resources:

► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond
► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/
► Connect with K.L on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/klallenedd/
► Subscribe to the podcast: https://communicast.simplecast.com/
► Learn more about Communispond: https://www.communispond.com 
► Download the ProSpeak® app. Providing users with instant feedback on presentation and communication skills. - Apple: https://apple.co/3jTJbqe

Celebrate the small successes along the way. That’s the advice from my guest, Ingrid Christensen, who is the President and Founder of INGCO International, published author, entrepreneur, and advocate who is passionate about providing equal access to information to everyone, no matter what language they speak.  

In this episode we talk about how to develop trust, working through the grind, gratitude, and why you should just say yes and then figure it out.  

I hope you enjoy. 

Additional Resources:

► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond
► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/
► Connect with Ingrid Christensen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingridbchristensen/
► Subscribe to the podcast: https://communicast.simplecast.com/
► Download the ProSpeak® app. Providing users with instant feedback on presentation and communication skills. - Apple: https://apple.co/3jTJbqe

From interviewing celebrities on the red carpet and working for top entertainment news outlets such as Entertainment Tonight and US Weekly magazine, to founding a PR and media company that amplifies the voices of emerging thought-leaders, Kayley Hamilton knows a thing or two about effective communication. This 2X Emmy award winning producer and reporter shares her expertise around listening, awareness, and why intention is so important in communication.  

I hope you enjoy.

Additional Resources:

► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond
► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/
► Connect with Kayley Hamilton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/kayleyhamilton/
► Subscribe to the podcast: https://communicast.simplecast.com/
► Download the ProSpeak® app. Providing users with instant feedback on presentation and communication skills. - Apple: https://apple.co/3jTJbqe