The right way.

Good communication isn't about giving people more information.

It’s about being deliberate about what people actually need to know—and when they need to know it.🙌

Before sending an email, making an announcement, starting a meeting, or moving a project forward, stop and ask three questions:

1. Who needs this information?

Not everyone. Identify who will decide, act, or be affected.

2. What do they need to understand?

Information without context can create more questions than answers.

What does this person need to understand to do their job, decide, or respond appropriately?

3. What happens if they don’t know?

This question often gets overlooked.

Could it cause a missed deadline, a wrong decision, rework, or a frustrated member, client, or stakeholder?

➡️What happens if a message goes in the wrong direction?

Here's the truth: Communication becomes much more effective when you answer these questions *before* the information goes out, not after confusion starts.🤔

The goal isn't to commu...

Reality check.

Nearly 100% of operational problems and people problems stem from communication challenges.

It's a pretty hefty price.

Let that sink in.

The real deal.

Around the world, people continue to pay tribute to Dolly Parton's legacy.

What stands out about Dolly's life is her simplicity and lack of pretension.

Whatever she was doing—singing on stage, acting in a film, or giving a one-on-one interview—Dolly always seemed down-to-earth.

Here are 7 takeaways from her life that we can apply to business, communication, and our own lives:

🔷On showing up: It was no secret; Dolly often spoke about wearing wigs. Why pretend, she said? Although she had a public image, the woman was genuine.

🔷On relating to people: The 80-year-old legend made people feel seen. Whether singing to millions or talking to one person, she communicated with warmth and without pretense. Not every celebrity or leader can do this. Dolly was straightforward; she spoke plainly, and people listened.

🔷On curiosity: Dolly believed curiosity could change a life.

In 1995, she launched her "Imagination Library" in her home state of Tennessee. Children around the globe have rece...

1 in 3 people.

A survey on American Fears shows that 1 in 3 adults are afraid of public speaking.

I know the research from Chapman University is legit because I've coached and trained people on confident public speaking for over 40 years.

The interesting piece is that I can't find any research on the fear of listening.🤔

That's where the real communication often begins.

No words.

Our nonverbal communication is much more powerful than our spoken words.

Research from Nature-dot-com says that people don’t just listen to what we say.

They also interpret our facial expressions, body language, and vocal cues at the same time. 💯

You don’t have to say much because nonverbal cues and clues can substantially shape perceptions of emotion, credibility, and trust.

The bottom line: Be a people-watcher.

Pay attention to body language and physical energy. Equally important, be aware of your own facial expressions and gestures when interacting with others.

Forgettable.

That's what happens when you're boring at work.

This isn't about personality.

🥇It's about perception and influence.

🥇It’s about differentiating yourself and your firm.

Dull people are low-impact communicators who disengage stakeholders.

Decision-makers don't award bids to flat communicators that seem to lack momentum. ⚠️

Despite technical strength, you'll likely lose credibility—and work—if your communication is flat.

🎯Here's the truth: Prospects and clients equate engagement and clarity with influence and leadership.

I've spent 26 years teaching A/E/C leaders to be memorable in business development and client-facing meetings.

I teach them to share heartfelt, engaging stories and to be compelling and clear, so they connect deeply with others.

Being boring means being invisible, because you are not top of mind.😕

Take the initiative and start honing your communication skills now so people remember you.

Those who commit to continuous improvement and easily engage their audience stand out....

Burnout.

It's all too commonplace in A/E/C.

Leaders often struggle for long periods to uncover the root cause of burnout.

From my experience, it's deeper than unplanned meetings and confusing documentation.

⚠️The main issue is that firms become so absorbed in daily work that they miss opportunities to gain fresh perspectives.

The result? Lost revenue and high turnover. 

Leaning into new strategies can help firms improve productivity and morale.

➡️After all, you can't read the label from inside the jar.

You know how to build a room.

But do you know how to read a room?

Technical skills only get you so far.

In business, growing revenue isn't about technology or job titles.

It's about spotting subtle communication cues that give you:

🔷Greater influence
🔷New levels of respect
🔷Deeper connections

To get ahead, notice both verbal and nonverbal cues.

Pay attention to others' words, pacing, gestures, and expressions.

Here's the truth: Reading body language is key to negotiating and resolving conflict.

I learned this 30 years ago so I know it works. 💯

People who can read a room also exude confidence that most competitors lack.

Notice clues in your next interaction and start reading the room for a competitive edge.

I met yesterday with a leader of a national construction trade organization to discuss hot-button issues our industry faces as we head into 2026.

We weren't discussing tech skills.

➡️Instead, we were focusing on the critical need for the younger workforce to uplevel their interpersonal communication.

I imagine these takeaways will resonate with you:

1. A/E/C's fragmented ecosystem must be improved to enhance job site safety, messaging, and knowledge transfer.
2. Newer staff must become proficient in decision-making, problem-solving, and other critical thinking skills. Clarifying information and logical thought processes improve job site safety, project completion, and leadership development.
3. Bi-directional knowledge in our multigenerational workforce is essential for continuous learning. Communication is not linear; rather, it is an ongoing process for all generations to embrace.

Here's the truth: Each of these points — along with cybersecurity — is a stark reminder to prioritize ...

The best gift of communication you can offer anyone is the gift of your attention.

It's great year-round. 

🔷It costs nothing and requires no shopping.

🔷There’s no need for fancy wrapping.

Paying close attention requires deep listening skills—fully focusing on the speaker, listening not just to the words but also to tone, body language, and emotions.

You can’t genuinely understand someone else’s perspective if you miss a few words or sentences they are expressing to you.

Learn how to pay attention without distractions. This is priceless. 

Focus on others and block out distractions—no phones, pings, or alerts.😮

Don't try "faking someone out" by acting like you're engaged when you're mentally drifting. 

Forget the email that needs to be sent. 

Forget that the car needs gas. 

Forget about stopping at the store.

The truth is that people notice when you're "checked out." Don't kid yourself.

🎯The better way is to be more self-aware. 

Exceptional communicators catch themselves qu...