Communicate for Good

On this episode of Communicate for Good, Erica discusses the difference between for now vs forever decisions. She also acknowledges the importance of making the best decision you can for yourself right now and the benefit of creating a time frame for that decision. The intention of the time frame is to provide space to determine if the decision is serving you and helping you to achieve your goals, and, if not, then the option to pivot and make a new “now” decision. Connect with Erica:Website: https://claxon-communication.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabarnhart/Email: info@claxon-communication.com  Book Time With Erica: https://bit.ly/ChatWithErica 

On this episode of Communicate for Good, Erica and her guest, Angela Foster, discuss the connection between style and confidence and how that can impact one's ability to lead effectively. They also discuss how your style communicates on your behalf and how one can dress their personal brand such as their business brand by answering the following question: “What are three adjectives that you would use to describe your brand?” and then translate that into one's wardrobe. Resources Referenced:Angela Foster’s Top Five Do's and Don'ts www.angelastylecoach.com/cfg  About Angela:After 20 years as an executive in the fashion and beauty space, Angela Foster now helps high-achieving petite women feel more confident by creating a closet they love. Her clients show up prepared and confident to brand photoshoots, keynote presentations, and everyday life because they enjoy a wardrobe filled with clothes that fit their height, flatter their body shape, and that they love to wear. Connect with Angela: Website: https://angelastylecoach.comEmail: hello@angelastylecoach.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelastylecoachFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AngelaFosterStyleCoachInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelastylecoachPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/5047055232cfd4923bc1db5efe6095 Connect with Erica:Website: https://claxon-communication.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabarnhart/Email: info@claxon-communication.com  Book Time With Erica: https://bit.ly/ChatWithErica 

On this episode of Communicate for Good, Erica and her guest, Jen Hope, discuss the importance of self kindness and mental health and how self worth and self acceptance show up in personal and professional spaces. They also discuss an important element of self awareness, listening, and how that is the starting point of acknowledging what we're saying and how we're behaving and how that's impacting and affecting others. They also address three common core leadership habits that limit effective communication (controlling, protecting and complying) and the impact those can have on one’s ability to lead and provide a healthy and productive space for team growth. Resources Referenced:Kristin Neff on Self-Compassion: https://self-compassion.org/the-three-elements-of-self-compassion-2/The Secret Life of Self Talk by Erica Barnhart: https://claxon-communication.com/podcast/ep-51-the-secret-life-of-self-talk/DISC Assessment: https://www.discprofile.com/what-is-disc360 Survey: https://www.profilesincorporated.com/assessment/checkpoint-360/ About Jen:Jen Hope is an executive and leadership coach for startup leaders. With a background as the Vice President of Marketing for multiple high-growth startup companies, Jen understands the complexity of startup leadership. She leverages data and evidence-based tools that accelerate growth and scale individual and collective leadership.A self-kindness and mental health advocate, Jen is passionate about creating safe spaces for women and non-neurotypical leaders in startup and corporate leadership. Clients will tell you that Jen provides systems and habits that improve life and leadership. They love the sharp insights, structure, compassion, and accountability that come from Jen’s coaching process. Jen’s client list includes Tenable, Oracle, Altana.ai, TomboyX, DocuSign, Relayr, BlueJacketeer, and Uplevel. When Jen’s not working, you can find her cooing over dogs, running the hills of the PNW, and singing all the songs that play in her local grocery store and CVS. Connect with Jen:Website: www.heyjenhope.comEmail: jenniferhopekellum@gmail.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heyjenhope Connect with Erica:Website: https://claxon-communication.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabarnhart/Email: info@claxon-communication.com  Book Time With Erica: https://bit.ly/ChatWithErica

On this episode of Communicate for Good, Erica discusses the difference between positive and negative stress including the zone of proximal development. She also shares that when approached in a reflective and conscious way both types of stress can impact one's ability to be successful. In addition, she offers seven ways of managing stress aka. stress busters, and also how to reframe your stress (and fear) by asking yourself, how can I shift my relationship with these things when it's within my control? Resources Referenced:3 Types of Stress and what you can do to fight them by Shonna Waters, PhD: https://www.betterup.com/blog/types-of-stressZone of Proximal Development by Lev Vygotsky: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zone_of_proximal_development Connect with Erica:Website: https://claxon-communication.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabarnhart/Email: info@claxon-communication.com  Book Time With Erica: https://bit.ly/ChatWithErica 

On this episode of Communicate for Good, Erica and her guest, Lindsay Pedersen, discuss the difference between brand and brand strategy, and how utilizing brand strategy as an exercise tool can help you achieve clarity about your brand. A few questions posed: Who are you optimizing for?What is it you are really good at bringing that customer? What is our competitive set or your peers are not good at bringing that person?What is your uncommon denominator?  They also discuss the many benefits of creating a clear brand, such as: Nailing the need for your customer as opposed to focusing on multiple needs (not only is it expensive but it can erode trust from the customer)Creating loyalty to your business and in turn being in a better position to serve, innovate and improve based on that mutually good relationshipIt can help govern the decisions that you're making across the business; how you communicate it, how you innovate, how you price for it, and how you go to market Resources Referenced:Forging an Ironclad Brand: https://ironcladbrandstrategy.com/book About Lindsay:Lindsay Pedersen is a brand strategist and author of the best-selling book “Forging an Ironclad Brand.” Known for her methodical, framework-driven approach to brand building, Lindsay has advised companies from burgeoning startups to national corporations, both B2C and B2B, including Zulily, Starbucks, Zulily, IMDb and Duolingo. Her background as a P&L owner at Clorox fostered in Lindsay a deep appreciation for using the brand as the North Star for increasing the company’s value. Lindsay arms leaders with an empowering understanding of brand, and an ironclad brand strategy, so they can grow their business with intention, clarity and focus.  Connect with Lindsay: Website: https://ironcladbrandstrategy.com/Email: lindsay@ironcladbrandstrategy.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaypedersen Connect with Erica:Website: https://claxon-communication.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabarnhart/Email: info@claxon-communication.com  Book Time With Erica: https://bit.ly/ChatWithErica

On this episode of Communicate for Good, Erica and her guest, Crispin Spaeth, discuss the parallels to their work when it comes to energetic language and how body language is a large part of our nonverbal communication. Crispin discusses her work with the Integrated Alexander Technique and how it can be used as a full self approach for identifying the beauty of our human design and its intrinsic relationship to competence, connection and freedom. Her integrated approach helps clients identify how we can (including insights and practical, physical actions) bring a greater intentionality to our movements and in turn our work. As leaders, this work is important for the purposes of authenticity, connection, and energy to ensure there is an energy alignment between your intention and what you want people to know, feel and then do.  Resources Referenced:Integrated Alexander Technique: https://www.alexandertechniqueinternational.org/Galvanizing Performances by Kathleen Juhl (Series Editor) and Cathy Madden (Editor):https://www.amazon.com/Galvanizing-Performance-Alexander-Technique-Excellence/dp/1785927205/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1537391876&sr=1-1&keywords=galvanizing+performance  About Crispin:Crispin Spaeth works with leaders and creatives who are working to make the world a better place and want to get there faster. She is a movement and performance coach and a teacher of Integrative Alexander Technique. This whole-self approach champions the beauty of our human design and its intrinsic relationship to confidence, connection, and freedom. The theme that connects all of Crispin's work is the desire to streamline effort so that people can be most themselves and get their great ideas out into the world.  Crispin is a graduate of IAT Studio of Seattle, a Certified Teaching Member of Alexander Technique International, a member of ISMETA, and a graduate of Oberlin College. Her writing about Alexander Technique and choreographic process was included in the book “Galvanizing Performances” (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2017.) Her first career was as a choreographer of contemporary dance. Crispin lives in Seattle with a family of humans and pets, loves art and design, and being thrown off balance.  Connect with Crispin: Website: https://www.crispinspaeth.comEmail: hello@crispinspaeth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crispinspaeth   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crispinspaeth   Connect with Erica:Website: https://claxon-communication.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabarnhart/Email: info@claxon-communication.com  Book Time With Erica: https://bit.ly/ChatWithErica

On this episode of Communicate for Good, Erica gives thanks to a woman for sending in her insightful note regarding one of Claxon Communication’s resources, The Wordifier. Her note acknowledges that when we talk about language and our choice in words we are doing ourselves a disservice if the sole metric of our choice is to measure the overuse and frequency in those words. We must also be considering inclusive, identity and people first language and that as communicators we are charged with asking - what do we need to say and how can we do better?Erica also discusses the power behind tools such as The Wordifier and Generative AI for sourcing words, but also the importance in applying human discernment when ultimately choosing words from these tools.Resources referenced:The Wordifierhttps://claxon-communication.com/wordifier/Connect with Erica:Website: https://claxon-communication.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabarnhart/Email: info@claxon-communication.com  Book Time With Erica: https://bit.ly/ChatWithErica

On this episode of Communicate for Good, Erica dives into the etymology of milestones and within that the importance of yearly reflection. She highlights the benefit of taking inventory of the choices we made, the choices we can be making now, and ultimately how those choices can create a momentum of growth.She also poses and discusses these introspective questions - “Am I going to celebrate how far I’ve come, over whatever period of time? Am I celebrating the wins no matter the size? Am I going to honor the hard things that happened and learn from it while implementing changes in myself? Am I going to appreciate that there may have been ‘gaps’ and that goal setting requires that? Who do I want to be and is it the same person I was years ago? Can I look and see growth over the past year?”  Resources referenced:The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardyhttps://gapandgainbook.com/The Power of Talk: Who Gets Heard and Why by Deborah Tannenhttps://hbr.org/1995/09/the-power-of-talk-who-gets-heard-and-why  Connect with Erica:Website: https://claxon-communication.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabarnhart/Email: info@claxon-communication.com  Book Time With Erica: https://bit.ly/ChatWithErica

On this episode of Communicate for Good, Erica poses and discusses the following introspective questions: “What do I want to do?” “Who do I want to be?” “What are my internal and external motivations?” She explains how answering these questions can help you determine the necessary shifts required in order to become the person and leader you want to be. She also addresses the relationship between motivations and validation, and the importance of knowing when validations are wanted or needed externally or can/should be sourced from within.  Resources referenced:The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardyhttps://gapandgainbook.com/  Connect with Erica:Website: https://claxon-communication.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabarnhart/Email: info@claxon-communication.com  Book Time With Erica: https://bit.ly/ChatWithErica

On this episode of Communicate for Good, Erica shares the concept of mental file folders and why it matters for your communication and branding in both the present and the future. She also talks about why the structure of these folders is important and how that hierarchy informs your sequence of messaging so that people can file you away and easily retrieve you from their mental file folders.   Connect with Erica:Website: https://claxon-communication.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricaMillsBarnLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericamillsbarnhart/Email: info@claxon-communication.com  Book Time With Erica: https://bit.ly/ChatWithErica

On this episode of Communicate for Good, Erica is joined by Stephanie Staples, Founder of Your Life, Unlimited. Stephanie is a master motivator and revitalization expert and shares how to rewire yourself by taking another look at how you want to lead your life, how to empower yourself, and ultimately how to get to a place where good is good enough. Erica and Stephanie discuss how to pay attention, recognize patterns, identify what you need, and how to ask for it from yourself and others. They also talk about how to shift your mindset by taking a deeper dive into the 5 A’s: Awareness, Accountability, Attitude, Acceptance/Appreciation, and Action.  Resources Referenced:The Try Angle: A New Slant on Life: https://stephaniestaples.ca/pages/resources About Stephanie:Master motivator and revitalization expert Stephanie Staples travels internationally as a keynote speaker from the Mayo Clinic to the Middle East delivering idea-packed programs proven to increase feelings of hope, happiness, empowerment and ability to apply actionable, positive change for participants. Plus they are fun!As a multi-titled author with eclectic qualifications that combine learnings from her background in healthcare, journalism, fitness and communications - Stephanie has some unique insights and tools to share. Stephanie is also a reWired nurse, a mom of three, Lolli of two and wife of one and a (last-placed) Triathlete!  Connect with Stephanie: Website: https://stephaniestaples.ca/Facebook: http://facebook.com/stephaniestaples  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniestaples/Email: Stephanie@YourLifeUnlimited.ca Connect with Erica:Website: https://claxon-communication.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricaMillsBarnLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericamillsbarnhart/Email: info@claxon-communication.com  Book Time With Erica: https://bit.ly/ChatWithErica

On this episode of Communicate for Good, Erica is joined by Michael DeLon, Founder of Paperback Expert. Michael shares his path to becoming a credibility expert and how writing a book could have a significant impact on your donor base. He emphasizes to listeners that what you say is more important than where you say it, and to always start with your message. They talk about the Credibility Calculator and how to interpret and improve your results. Erica and Michael also discuss practical ways to leverage donor testimonials and how to stand out with videos. Resources Referenced:The Credibility Calculator: https://thecredibilitycalculator.com/Communicate for Good Quiz: https://claxon-communication.scoreapp.com/ About Michael:Michael DeLon serves business experts and thought leaders to create a book without writing a word. As a #1 Amazon Best-Selling Author and America’s Foremost Authority on Credibility Marketing, he teaches how to establish and market your credibility to gain more clients. Business owners seek out Michael to clarify their message, make them a bestselling author, and set up their profitable podcast. They use his Credibility Marketing strategies to gain clients, get referrals, and grow their revenue. Since 2013, he has worked with business owners across the United States and internationally to establish and market their credibility.Michael is the husband of one and father of four. He’s a committed follower of Jesus Christ who is deeply involved in his church. You can normally find Michael investing time with his family, reading a great book, or facilitating growth in the lives of those around him.  Connect with Michael: Website: https://paperbackexpert.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldelon/Email: Michael@PaperbackExpert.com Connect with Erica:Website: https://claxon-communication.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricaMillsBarnLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericamillsbarnhart/Email: info@claxon-communication.com  Book Time With Erica: https://bit.ly/ChatWithErica

This is the third and final episode of Erica’s series on how to become a confident public speaker. She talks about getting through a public speech versus owning the moment, and shares practical tips for making the most out of your practice time. Erica reminds listeners of the three steps to becoming a confident public speaker: prepare, plan, practice, and urges listeners to get clear on what works for them.  Connect with Erica:Website: https://claxon-communication.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricaMillsBarnLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericamillsbarnhart/Email: info@claxon-communication.com  Book Time With Erica: https://bit.ly/ChatWithErica

This is the second episode of Erica’s three part series on how to become a confident public speaker. She shares a quick recap of part one, and then dives into step two: Plan. Erica explains the planning phase in the context of the Claxon Method: What, Who, How. She shares examples of how clients have put the plan phase into action and leaves listeners with a reminder to start with feelings.  Connect with Erica:Website: https://claxon-communication.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricaMillsBarnLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericamillsbarnhart/Email: info@claxon-communication.com  Book Time With Erica: https://bit.ly/ChatWithErica

This is the first episode of Erica’s three part series on how to become a confident public speaker. She shares the three steps to becoming a confident public speaker: Prepare, Plan, Practice. Erica explores the first step: planning, and leads listeners through a visualization exercise. She shares her story of how she got comfortable in front of crowds in hopes that others can learn from it. In the next episode, Erica will dive into the second step: planning.  Connect with Erica:Website: https://claxon-communication.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricaMillsBarnLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericamillsbarnhart/Email: info@claxon-communication.com  Book Time With Erica: https://bit.ly/ChatWithErica

On this episode of Communicate for Good, Erica wonders if switching one word in your communications can get you better results. She talks about the etymology of successful and effective, and asks listeners to think about what kind of communication they need to achieve their desired results. Erica ends the episode by giving listeners communication “homework”.  Resources Referenced:Wordifier: https://claxon-communication.com/wordifier/Pierre Casses Assessment: https://comms-assessment.scoreapp.com/  Connect with Erica:Website: https://claxon-communication.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricaMillsBarnLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericamillsbarnhart/Email: info@claxon-communication.com  Book Time With Erica: https://bit.ly/ChatWithErica

On this episode of Communicate for Good, Erica talks about why you need to be more attentive to how you communicate through changes and transitions. She also shares the three phases of transformation from a messaging and communication perspective. Erica talks about modeling micro-transparency as your organization moves through change and the importance of understanding the communication styles of your team. Resources Referenced:Managing Transitions by William Bridges: https://wmbridges.com/books/Pierre Casse Assessment: https://comms-assessment.scoreapp.com/Subscribe to the Claxon Newsletter: https://bit.ly/Claxon-Newsletter  Connect with Erica:Website: https://claxon-communication.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricaMillsBarnLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericamillsbarnhart/Email: info@claxon-communication.com  Book Time With Erica: https://bit.ly/ChatWithErica

On this episode of Communicate for Good, Erica is joined by Frank Somma to dive into a range of topics surrounding rapport. They talk about charisma, making people feel good about themselves, and the importance of being comfortable with silence. Frank shares the biggest mistakes that he sees leaders making when they communicate (and practical tips to fix them). They also talk about the importance of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and what inspired Frank to write his book, B2B is really P2P. Resources Referenced:Join the newsletter: https://bit.ly/Claxon-NewsletterB2B is Really P2P by Frank Somma: https://bit.ly/B2BisP2PYou Have More Influence Than You Think by Vanessa Bohns: https://bit.ly/Vanessa-BohnsCooley’s Anemia Foundation: https://www.thalassemia.org/ About Frank:Frank Somma is a sales and communications expert, speaker, author, and lifelong charity fundraiser. Frank holds a degree in NLP, Neuro-Linguistic Programming widely accepted as THE communications science, and has been speaking professionally for over 15 years winning accolades from such notable organizations as DLL Bank, GE, Xerox and several Big I associations.His latest book “B2B is really P2P How to Win with High Touch in a High tech world” is selling well and has a 4.9 star rating on Amazon! Frank lives in Holmdel, NJ and when he isn’t occupied with one of his businesses, he’s either raising money for The Cooley’s Anemia Foundation, out running with his dog, or in the kitchen cooking homemade pasta for his kids and grandkids.  Connect with Frank:Website: https://www.franksomma.com/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/fsommaFacebook: www.facebook.com/sommafrank    Connect with Erica:Website: https://claxon-communication.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricaMillsBarnLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericamillsbarnhart/Email: info@claxon-communication.com  Book Time With Erica: https://bit.ly/ChatWithErica

On this episode of Communicate for Good, Erica shares five marketing trends that she is seeing based on research and conversations with clients. She shares surprising stats about a few popular social channels, and of course, she talks about language trends. Erica ends the episode by reminding listeners to keep it simple.Erica’s upcoming monthly AMA (Ask Me Anything) will be on Thursday, February 16th. Join the newsletter (link below) to get the details!  Resources Referenced:Ep 64: KISS your comms. Slay your goals: https://bit.ly/Ep-64-KISSLake Superior Banished Words List: https://www.lssu.edu/traditions/banishedwords/Big Duck Words to Avoid List: https://bigduck.com/insights/words-to-avoid-2023-edition/Three Laws of Performance Book: https://threelawsofperformance.com/  Connect with Erica:Website: https://claxon-communication.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricaMillsBarnLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericamillsbarnhart/Email: info@claxon-communication.com  Book Time With Erica: https://bit.ly/ChatWithErica

This episode of Communicate for Good features Erica’s interview on the Nonprofit Radio Show with Tony Martignetti. They talk about overcoming common communications conundrums, finding your true believers, and having more fun. Stay to the end of the episode to hear Erica blow Tony’s mind! Connect with Erica:Website: https://claxon-communication.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricaMillsBarnLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericamillsbarnhart/Email: info@claxon-communication.com  Book Time With Erica: https://bit.ly/ChatWithErica