Chief Talent Officer, The Encompass Group | Organizational Behavioralist | International Speaker | C-Suite Advisor and Coach | Best Selling Author | Board Member | Adjunct Professor
Have you ever had one of those days when you try your best to say something, but nobody seems to understand you? Welcome to the world of communication, a complex, multidimensional process dependent upon the roles of the SENDER and RECEIVER. Cultural backgrounds, personal experiences, and ways of thinking (our mindset) can layer and modulate this interaction. These contexts influence how a message is ENCODED by a sender and DECODED by a receiver, often resulting in misunderstandings. In my latest book, THE FOLLOWER EFFECT, I have provided a framework through which one can see how culture is constantly being shaped through the stories we tell. This model investigates how culture is created through communication in three "stories": SHOW UP: The non-verbal story-body language, presence, even silence-revealing what others notice subconsciously. SPEAK UP: This is the verbal story—tone, phrasing, and emotional context in which how we say something often matters as much as what we say. SYNC UP: It is a structural story-systems, processes, and policies-that provides the silent backdrop that shapes expectations and norms. Each of these stories biases the sender-receiver dynamic. For example, a leader who consistently presents with open body language may intend to convey friendliness. However, if the receiver's culture defines openness differently, the meaning is misinterpreted. My newest book also introduces the Curious Coaching Model, a tool for addressing these gaps by cultivating a Curious Mindset that focuses on proactive asking and offering insight. We can bridge the gap between what is said and heard by asking open-ended questions, such as, "What stood out to you in this conversation?" or reflecting on, "Here's where I could've been clearer." In today's connected world, communication mastery is an art and a responsibility. Being in the sender-receiver dynamic is about so much more than not misunderstanding; it is about creating authentic connections and making sure people are indeed heard. Imagine the impact if every one of us asked one more question, left one more reflective comment, and listened one layer deeper. Are you ready to make your stories count? #ONWARD #leadership #followership #culture #sender #receiver The Encompass Group E3 Leadership Academy