You wrote the announcement, rehearsed it, sent it, and a week later the questions rolled in anyway. In this episode, communication strategist Lee Caraher explains why most workplace communication fails on delivery, not message, and what to do about it. She shares a practical three-send formula for making any announcement stick, a protocol for deciding which messages belong in email, Slack, or a meeting, and a test for knowing whether your message actually landed. Silence and nodding, it turns out, are the clearest signs it didn't. Lee also makes the case for retiring the feedback sandwich for good and shows how to remove the ambiguity that quietly creates conflict, starting with how you assign a deadline.
About our guest
Lee Caraher is the founder and CEO of Double Forte, a national public relations and digital media agency based in San Francisco. A communication strategist known for practical solutions to big problems, she is the author of Millennials and Management and The Boomerang Principle. This is her third appearance on the show.
TIMESTAMPS
- 00:00 Intro and a word from Xenium HR Compensation Services
- 02:00 Why communication fails on delivery, not message
- 05:30 The three-send formula for big announcements
- 08:00 Building a receptacle for questions
- 10:30 Mixed messages and the four parts of delivery
- 13:00 Yes-people and why leaders need truth-tellers
- 14:30 Using AI tools to critique your own delivery
- 16:00 Reading the room and adapting your style
- 20:45 Which messages belong in which channel
- 25:00 The case for a weekly leader email
- 25:45 Nodding heads mean they didn't get it
- 34:00 Crisis, apologies, and losing control of the narrative
- 38:20 What a real deadline includes
- 43:30 Throw away the feedback sandwich
A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST
Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR
Host: Brandon Laws
In Brandon's own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders."
About Xenium HR
Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more
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