Mastering Calm Communication with Lucy Beytagh

Do you know how to communicate in a clear and compelling way when the pressure’s on?

Change doesn’t always go according to plan and many leaders struggle to know how to communicate their transformation agenda effectively. But it’s a game-changer when they get it right!

Today on The New Way podcast, I’m excited to share my conversation with Lucy Beytagh about mastering calm communication.

Lucy Beytagh is the Founder and Managing Director of The LKB Agency, which specialises in corporate communications, engagement, and events management. 


You’ll discover:

  • Each step of Lucy’s CALM communication formula

  • Exactly what to do if your change program has a lot of data-heavy content (this is especially useful for digital transformation projects!)

  • When you should stay quieter for longer than feels comfortable

  • How to humanise the change agenda (and why you MUST do this)

  • Specific ways to use storytelling to build trust and communicate effectively during complex or technical transformations

If your change program has a lot of data-heavy content that stakeholders might find difficult to wrap their heads around, this episode will give you plenty of practical tips you can add to your toolkit. 

Listen in now!


TOPICS DISCUSSED AND WHERE TO FIND THEM:

[4:00]: Storytelling is such an important part of great communication. It builds trust, humanises leaders, and gives them an opportunity to own their story and connect with their people. 

[6:10]: In recent years, there has been a huge uplift in technology use. Storytelling is a great tool to take the technical language and craft a story that connects with people in their everyday roles. 

[8:45]: Humans are hardwired to understand stories. They help us break down complex concepts and we innately understand the structure and cadence of stories. 

[10:10]: Calm communication is a very considered approach to communicating with clarity and taking the time to build a great strategy and wrap it in storytelling.  

[12:35]: It’s not just for leaders, but important for anybody needing to be able to communicate clearly and calmly. 

[13:15]: The Calm Communication Method:

C - Considered. Being strategic and planning out your communication 

A - Act. How you show up through body language and nonverbal communication. 

L - Listen. We cannot understand if we don’t listen. It’s the most fundamental communication skill. 

[18:00]: The key important aspects of good listening:

  • Having a listening conversation. Be curious, show that you are listening and prompt the conversation with listening questions. 

  • Pause and stay quiet for a longer time to really listen. Resist the temptation to jump in because this is often when deeper parts come into the conversation. 

[21:15]: M - Message. Storytelling is the final piece of calm communication to help you connect on a deeper level with your audience. 

[22:50]: Leaders should have a great story in their back pocket ready to go. Your true self is connected to your values and how you show up as a leader so get comfortable with who you are and your story. 

[24:10]: Bring an element of yourself to a difficult conversation to demonstrate that you have a personal understanding of that situation. On a larger scale, having your personal story will communicate your particular expertise and build trust. 

[27:00]: When you are communicating as a leader, it’s important to put your own take on it. Even if you don't agree 100%, you can still demonstrate loyalty, commitment to the cause and opportunities from the change. 

[28:50]: More people and organisations are accepting storytelling as their communication strategies. The story still needs to have factual information and structure but can be adapted to each organisation and culture. 

[30:30]: The key to communication is understanding who you’re talking to and tailoring your story to your audience.  

[31:00]: There is a lot of information out there so Lucy reminds people to come back to the basics and make sure the story can continue to be told. 

[32:30]: How to connect with Lucy.

CONNECT WITH LUCY: 

Website: https://www.thelkbagency.com.au/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucybeytagh/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucy_thelkb_agency/

CONNECT WITH KATE

Website: https://www.everchange.com.au/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ever-change-and-communication

Kate Byrne