Heather Younger: Closing the Communication Loop

08/15/23 • 29 min

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.

I hope you enjoy.

Additional Resources:

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.

Previous Episode

Jennifer Brunelli: The Power of Communicating Your "Why"

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

Next Episode

Pam Nemec: Communication Skills for Building a Strong Brand and Culture

Brand is built from the inside out. So, if you want a strong brand, focus on internal communication first. My guest, Pam Nemec, is the Founder and CEO of InsideOut, where she helps executives build leadership and communication systems. In this episode we chat about the importance of focusing not only on what you say, but also how, when and when. We discuss how to identify the various layers of your audience and why you should strive for reasonable.

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 Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamnemecculturecoach/
► 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 communication in all aspects of life [00:00:22]

Discussion on how communication impacts every aspect of life, whether at home or at work.

Building a brand and culture through communication [00:02:42]

Exploration of how communication plays a role in building a brand and culture within an organization.

Creating processes and systems to support a strong culture [00:08:47]

Importance of building systems and processes to create and maintain a strong organizational culture.

Developing Trust and Relationships [00:12:17]

Building trust and relationships is crucial for effective communication, especially when delivering difficult or controversial messages.

Transitioning from Transactional to Consultative Communication [00:15:35]

Over time, communication professionals should aim to become trusted partners and consultants, offering valuable insights and perspectives.

The Importance of Patience in Communication [00:19:34]

Having patience and taking the time to understand the whole situation before communicating can lead to stronger and better-received messages.

The concept of communicating to multiple audiences [00:21:25]

Importance of considering different perspectives and tailoring messages to various audiences for effective communication.

The importance of speaking up and sharing opinions [00:23:58]

The value of being honest, trustworthy, and willing to speak up in challenging situations for personal and professional growth.

Influential leaders who shaped communication style [00:27:17]

The impact of leaders who valued and respected the opinions of all employees, leveling the playing field and building relationships for better decision-making.

The importance of inclusive leadership [00:31:17]

Scott and Pam discuss the importance of leaders being inclusive and valuing the opinions of all members of the organization.

The role of processes and systems in collaboration [00:32:32]

Pam emphasizes the need for processes and systems to facilitate collaboration and decision-making in larger organizations.

The significance of communication skills for career success [00:35:05]

Pam highlights the critical role of communication skills in propelling one's career and building a brand's culture within and outside the organization.