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How’s the balance of deposits and withdrawals in your personal and professional piggy bank looking? Words have significant potential to make business—and the world—a better place. Sometimes, drawing our attention to specific words can transform how we think about a situation; it can change the kind of energy a decision or action is imbued with and, ultimately, the positive or negative impact of that action. Take these two words for example: “deposit” and “withdrawal.” In this episode, Erica uses these familiar financial terms to describe a new perspective that takes the idea of a brand equity piggy bank and expands it to life and work as a whole. Just like depositing a few extra dollars here and there adds up to bigger savings over time, small actions that add to the compassion, empathy, and psychological safety of your environment compound. When we start to notice and name even the smallest day-to-day deposits (like flossing our teeth, complimenting a coworker, bringing cookies to the office) and withdrawals (doomscrolling, avoiding a difficult conversation), we don’t just become more aware of the current status of our “piggy bank.” It also becomes easier to identify opportunities to deposit kindness and wellness, for the betterment of ourselves and the world. Add these two terms to your regular vocabulary to build up your bottom line: How using these words out loud can transform your life and your leadership; The power of language to bring awareness to your actions and their impact; The small daily deposits that come from knowing the people you work with;  Why we shouldn’t compare our deposits and withdrawals to another’s. Connect with Erica: Website: https://claxon-communication.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabarnhart/ Email: [email protected]

Disclaimer: This episode discusses mental health challenges and suicide. If you are in crisis or having suicidal thoughts, help is available 24/7, call or text 988 in the U.S. and Canada. You can also visit https://988lifeline.org. How much does your self talk impact the public-facing words you say and write? You might have heard that the average adult speaks and writes around 15,000 words each day. What gets less publicity, however, is the number of words we say to ourselves, consciously or subconsciously: around 60,000. This begs the question: why does four times the nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs get so overlooked in our exploration of communication? Communicate for Good has always centered around the power of words to build confidence, expand influence, and amplify impact—the intersection of language, leadership, and life, and it’s certainly touched on self talk in the past. Now, following a three-year-hiatus, Erica is re-centering the conversation on the inner dialogue we so often overlook, despite how much it affects outer identity and interactions. She shares the traumatic experiences she has navigated since the show went on hiatus and shares how her own, ongoing education around self talk and inner narratives can help other leaders. Together, you’ll learn how elevating your self talk practices can help you navigate burnout, team-building, life-rebuilding, and leading publicly when your private life is in crisis, one word at a time. Start rewriting your internal script to support your external experience: How the use of language echoes out to all levels of communication; The significance of words while grieving and recovering from trauma; Why it’s inaccurate to assume our silent words to ourselves are less important; The teeny, tiny self-talk steps that have outsized impact on our wellness–and leadership–journeys. Connect with Erica: Website: https://claxon-communication.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabarnhart/ Email: [email protected]

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: [email protected]   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.com Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelastylecoach Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AngelaFosterStyleCoach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelastylecoach Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/5047055232cfd4923bc1db5efe6095   Connect with Erica: Website: https://claxon-communication.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabarnhart/ Email: [email protected]   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-disc 360 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.com Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heyjenhope   Connect with Erica: Website: https://claxon-communication.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabarnhart/ Email: [email protected]   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-stress Zone 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: [email protected]   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: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaypedersen   Connect with Erica: Website: https://claxon-communication.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabarnhart/ Email: [email protected]   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.com Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: 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: [email protected]   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 Wordifier https://claxon-communication.com/wordifier/ Connect with Erica: Website: https://claxon-communication.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabarnhart/ Email: [email protected]   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 Hardy https://gapandgainbook.com/ The Power of Talk: Who Gets Heard and Why by Deborah Tannen https://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: [email protected]   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 Hardy https://gapandgainbook.com/     Connect with Erica: Website: https://claxon-communication.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabarnhart/ Email: [email protected]   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/EricaMillsBarn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericamillsbarnhart/ Email: [email protected]   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: [email protected]   Connect with Erica: Website: https://claxon-communication.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricaMillsBarn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericamillsbarnhart/ Email: [email protected]   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: [email protected]   Connect with Erica: Website: https://claxon-communication.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricaMillsBarn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericamillsbarnhart/ Email: [email protected]   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/EricaMillsBarn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericamillsbarnhart/ Email: [email protected]   Book Time With Erica: https://bit.ly/ChatWithErica