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Felicity Barber, founder of Thoughtful Communications, has penned speeches and spearheaded executive communications for some of the world’s most prominent financial institutions, including BlackRock, the Federal Reserve and Lloyds of London. Through her extensive experience, Felicity has discovered that storytelling—or as she calls it, “spinning a good yarn”—is one of the most effective ways to convey complex topics.

In this episode, Felicity shares how humor and openness can transform executive communications. She emphasizes the power of authenticity in storytelling to deliver key messages.

“A story gives a speech a really nice sense of completeness,” Felicity explains. “Adding an anecdote, or anything that humanizes the leader delivering the message, is a powerful way to connect with audiences.”

This engaging conversation delves into the challenges of executive communication, such as building trust with leaders and delivering strategic feedback. Felicity’s insights on honest communication and setting the right expectations offer valuable guidance for anyone looking to advance in their executive comms career.
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Let’s debunk a myth today: managing up isn’t about sucking up. In our second installment of “In Your Corner,” our career coaching segment, Sharon and I dive deep into what it really means to “manage up” and why it’s a critical skill for communicators. Managing up effectively is about making your indispensability known—creating a symbiotic relationship that helps support your career as well as enhances your team’s success.

We discuss:

• How understanding and aligning with your boss’s expectations and communication styles can dramatically improve your work relationship
• Practical examples from our real-life scenarios where managing up influenced workplace dynamics
• Tips on how to be proactive, such as sending weekly recaps to your boss to outline achievements and upcoming goals

Think of managing up as more than a career skill – it’s an essential partnership strategy that boosts both your growth and that of your leaders. Curious to see how this can support your professional interactions? Tune in for a deeper dive.
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A year ago, many communicators were unsure if generative artificial intelligence was going to have staying power in our industry. There have been supporters, detractors and plenty of folks who simply haven’t been able to wrap their heads around the technology. So, with accessible and evolving AI a reality, we’re left asking, “Now what?”

“This is an opportunity to learn-and-lead versus wait-and-wonder,” our friend and colleague Mark Dollins says of AI in comms on this episode of EE Voice.

Mark and his team at North Star Communications Consulting recently collaborated with the University of Missouri  School of Journalism to research and publish “Artificial Intelligence & the Communicator,” a fantastic whitepaper that delves into the big opportunity and bigger feelings tied to the use of AI within employee communications.
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Introducing “In Your Corner”

In boxing, competitors head to their stools in the fighter’s corner for one-minute respites between rounds. They try to catch their breath, have cuts tended to and receive instruction from their trainers, or “cornermen.” A good cornerman builds relationships with their competitors; they are reliable, identify any changing variables and build strategies geared toward competitors’ strengths.

As an avid fan of boxing, my aim is to provide similar guidance to coaching clients looking to navigate their careers. During episodes of “In Your Corner,” Sharon Phillips and I will delve into some challenges suggested by their communications colleagues and discuss how we can respond positively.

This Episode: Navigating Imposter Syndrome

Whether you’re presenting on an unfamiliar topic, writing a speech for a demanding executive or issuing a statement on a hot-button issue, a little self-doubt can go a long way. Confidence may waver, but does that mean we don’t belong?

After recording and publishing more than 70 episodes of the EE Voice podcast, we have met some of the brightest, hardest working people in communications – and even the most accomplished industry leaders can experience something called imposter syndrome.
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