In this engaging episode, Brian Nelson-Palmer interviews Theresa Ward, founder of Fiery Feather, who reveals how communication protocols can transform team productivity and effectiveness.
As a team effectiveness coach with experience across multiple industries, Theresa shares how structured systems combined with emotional intelligence create thriving workplaces.
The conversation explores practical steps for crafting a situational communication guide, addressing common workplace frustrations like unclear expectations, delayed responses, and unnecessary meetings—making this episode a must-listen for anyone looking to streamline communication and boost team efficiency.
For more information, or a template to copy, visit the blog post on this topic!
References In This Episode
Fiery Feather Website – fieryfeather.com (Theresa Ward’s consultancy on team effectiveness)
Theresa Ward’s LinkedIn Profile – LinkedIn Profile
Calendly (For scheduling without back-and-forth emails)
Books and Concepts Referenced:
The One-Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson (on leadership and productivity)
The Waterline Concept, from the book 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Jim Dethmer (on decision-making in organizations)
Patrick Lencioni’s Work (on leadership and team communication)
Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross And The Five Stages of Grief®
David Allen's work (Getting Things Done methodology)
Related Podcast Episode:
Breaking Your Team’s Success Barrier with Maura Thomas
Full Episode Digest - Read it on the episode’s page at www.ProductivityGladiator.com/the-show
Chapters
03:45 Understanding Communication Protocols
07:45 The Importance of Communication Protocols
11:45 Asynchronous vs Synchronous Communication
15:51 Establishing Personal Communication Protocols
19:27 Emergency Communication Protocols
25:38 Empowering Communication in Crisis
26:25 Understanding the Waterline Concept
28:41 Communication Protocols with External Partners
29:28 Organizing Communication Protocols
30:14 Managing Non-Compliance with Protocols
32:57 The Importance of Praise and Criticism
36:32 Personal Communication Pet Peeves
40:51 The Purpose Behind Communication Protocols
Today’s Guest
Theresa m. WarD
Team Effectiveness Coach & Founder of Fiery Feather
Theresa M. Ward is the founder of Fiery Feather, a consultancy focused on helping teams improve communication, collaboration, and overall effectiveness. With a background spanning multiple industries—including fintech, media, healthcare, and government—Theresa brings a unique, cross-industry perspective to solving workplace challenges.
Her expertise lies in combining structured systems (like standard operating procedures and project management frameworks) with interpersonal skills (like emotional intelligence and team dynamics). She has worked with organizations to develop onboarding processes, communication protocols, and operational strategies that enhance both efficiency and team cohesion.
A passionate advocate for experiential learning and adult education, Theresa draws from psychology, leadership training, and real-world experience to help teams thrive. She has been a trusted consultant for businesses looking to improve productivity through clearer communication, better collaboration, and smarter systems.
Connect with her at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresa-m-ward/
Website: fieryfeather.com
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About The Creator/Host: I’m Brian. At age 4, I was diagnosed with insulin dependent (type 1) diabetes and told that my life was going to be 10-20 years shorter than everyone else. As a kid I took time for granted, but now as an adult, time is the most precious thing that I have. After spending a career hands-on in the trenches as a leader at all levels, I now train Productivity Gladiators to level up their careers. Graduates wield superpowers in time management, practical leadership, communication, & productivity. If what you’ve seen here intrigues you, reach out, let’s chat!
“Time is the currency of your life, spend it wisely.”
Productivity Gladiator 
