We need to also ask ourselves if we are the person to deliver this message to this audience at this time. Be authentic & realize that not every demographic is yours to address. It is okay to bring someone else in or refer out if you are unable to make the most beneficial impact with an audience.

What helps always is to pick a real Life story for that particular audience and weave in your life experience into it … for example today I was speaking to an international audience on handling a boss with gender bias and I brought out the fact that people are essentially willing to hear you so tackle that boss by telling him directly how ‘I ‘ felt. I had to do this with German clients as an entrepreneur once and it helped me remain their best service provider, as it showed fearless authenticity along with tact.

I think a bit of humour and expressing your reasoned opinion goes a long way. People will then assess your messages and assess your credibility and expertise. You have to be authentic and have character.

The key is to find a common concern, dream, fear or focus that you can find unity around. Too often we focus on what our differences are to the solution instead of first grounding the relationship on our common concerns for the problem and building collaboratively from there.

Humanity is defined by all of us seeking connection. We might define it differently we might have different experiences but know that what is always the human baseline is connection - this is why belonging to a community and sharing our human experience is what makes us breathe and understand and feel welcomed. Have this in mind when you are reaching out and stating your opinion here on LinkedIn

In order to solve the big challenges the world faces we must as individuals as corporations as communities find the purpose that could lead us to answers for those challenges. My job in anything I do is to push that agenda and make people aware that they can do more than they think. In my consultancies my vision is to unleash potential to solve the worlds challenges

What are the problems you are trying to solve and the solutions you are proposing is a great question. I have branded myself as The Solutionist . Each client and potential client has different technology challenges that we must resolve in order for the partnership to work for them . Each situation is unique . It is very important to ask many discovery questions to determine what is the most effective solution that you can provide.

If we are speaking of Disaster Response our immediate goals are often in alignment with the audience we are helping. If we don't align, for instance when we were advocating for spontaneous community volunteers during the 9-11 relief effort, we needed to find common goals. We also needed to find how our goals and values solved their problems or at the very least did not add to them.

My goal is to improve our human condition. As a person with a disability, the father of a daughter who has a disability, the brother of three siblings who have disabilities, and devoting my 25+ year career to public service, I am resolved to use my talents and experience to shape public policy and elevate public discourse relative to issues impacting people with disabilities. LinkedIn provides an opportunity to discuss disability employment matters in a professional and positive environment.

Think of storytelling as the modern-day "campfire effect." For centuries, humans have gathered around campfires to share stories that entertain, educate, and build community. Take the ALS Association's Ice Bucket Challenge as an example. This simple activity became a global sensation, raising both awareness and funds for ALS research. The story of collective action resonated globally, aligning with the community's core values. Why does it work? Stories make abstract concepts tangible and relatable. They evoke emotions, making your message more memorable and impactful. So, the next time you're sharing your goals and values, consider wrapping them in a story that your audience can relate to, remember, and retell.

The efficacy of an argument is bolstered by a clear and concise narrative, as opposed to one that is convoluted. A key element in achieving simplicity is the use of easily understandable language. If a story needs too much explanation, it should either be simplified or discarded.

Storytelling is great. It is better when they are authentic and come from your experiences. Ensure they align with the topic at hand and never "one up" people

I like to use storytelling and data for persuasive messaging. That way, those who are moved by an emotional connection can hear the human impact and those who are inspired by a more analytical perspective will both be reached. If the messaging is for communicating your brand, you can use a personal impact story or values focused story.

Stories CONNECT with each one of us. We all have stories that connect deep within our memory and inspire actions. Stories are powerful tools for community building, They engage people emotionally and make values and goals relatable. It creates excitement and binds the audience/members together in creating a thriving and cohesive community.

I believe communication across various target audiences revolves around the basic principles of: Clear Purpose & Vision, Identifying the Unifying Lesson that you aim to communicate all through, a story that ignites an emotional connection and authenticity then from these principles you twitch the message to be ideal for each audience.

Inclusion starts with education. People from all over the world each have their own cultures, traditions, and values. But we all share in our human nature of learning. We are born with limited knowledge and as we grow our intelligence increases. We are each in control of our own actions. So, as we learn about others, there are elements of every person we meet who shapes a piece of our own character. We learn to like different foods, different clothes, and a myriad of other learned behaviors that add to the richness of our own lives. That richness is brought to us by including others, by the diversity of thought, and by our marketplace of ideas.

The great stoic philosopher Epictetus said, "it is impossible to learn that which one thinks they already know." Lifelong learning is one of the keys to success and happiness. The experiences of others can be mutually beneficial to us if we choose to listen, choose to engage in a dialog, and engage in empathy for others. The Golden Rule apllies here, "Do unto others as we would want them to do to us."

Lessons and listening go hand-in-hand, never waste a good opportunity by talking too much. You or your organization's point-of-view is important only in as much as its relevance to the world, community, and individuals around you or it. Rather than your goals or values, how about our goals and values toward a shared purpose?

It's important to ask participants to fill out a feedback survey after a community gathering or event so we can learn where we missed the mark or really nailed it. This will ensure continuous improvement and keep the relationship going after your initial engagement.

The first thing I consider is what is important to that specific audience. What challenges are they facing and what are they here to learn? What cultures do they work in and what resources do they have access to? Without understanding the challenges, motivations and resources, it's harder to identify how to share the solutions that you have to offer. Get to know your audience, and then tailor your message or solution in away that connects with who and where they are. You're more likely to have buy-in when your audience feels seen and heard.

It is critical to demonstrate sincerity, active listening, and empathy towards your team members, both professionally and personally, in order to establish a productive and healthy team atmosphere. It is critical to acknowledge their humanity while also assuring their comfort and protection. When your team members feel respected and heard, they are more likely to produce outstanding results. In a prior role managing an international team spanning various age groups, I dedicated time to Listen, understand and support each team member individually. As a result, we consistently met our targets and accomplished our objectives.

Don't forget to think about how you get to your target audiences: it's not just the substance of the messages, critical as that is, but also the way that you distribute. Different audiences read and watch various media, so working with press, influencers and creators who matter can help you get messages out through trusted messengers.