The Role of Communication in Team Cohesion & Performance with Jacqueline Fearer

In this episode, we speak with Jacqueline Fearer, a distinguished communications professional with over two decades of experience. Explore how strategic communication and thoughtful inquiry can significantly enhance team cohesion, foster innovation, and build a culture of inclusion within organizations.

Jacqueline Fearer is a seasoned communication expert with over 20 years of experience in executive, internal, and client communications. Her diverse background spans teaching, journalism, and leadership roles, including positions at Fidelity Investments and currently at Iron Mountain as the Head of Culture and Engagement Communications. An advisor for women in leadership at UVM and a member of the Professional Speechwriters Association, Jackie has dedicated her career to mastering the art of storytelling and effective communication. She’s also pursuing a master's degree in national security intelligence analysis, underscoring her commitment to continued learning and impactful writing.

Below are the key takeaways from this episode:

• Career Transition and Growth: Jacqueline Fearer’s career journey transitioning from teaching to journalism to communications highlights the impact of seizing opportunities and the value of mentorship.
• Power of Effective Communication: She emphasizes the importance of clear, concise, and culturally aware communication in a global organization, using the example of avoiding idioms and jargon that could be misinterpreted.
• Asking the Right Questions: Both Dr. Bobbi Wegner and Jacqueline Fearer discuss how asking meaningful questions like "Why now?" or using open-ended questions can deepen understanding and foster better connections within teams and organizations.
• Creating a Culture of Fallibility: Encouraging an environment where failure is accepted as part of the innovation process ("fail fast, fall forward") can promote risk-taking and bring forth creative ideas.
• Personal Connections and Leadership: Sharing personal stories or interests, such as an executive’s passion for gardening, can humanize leaders and build stronger, more relatable connections with their teams.

Todays guest, Jacqueline Fearer, can be found online at:

Email: jfearer@gmail.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-fearer-1a1754a/

Your host, Dr. Bobbi Wegner, can be found online at:

Groops: https://www.joingroops.com/

Harvard Extension School Faculty Spotlight: https://youtu.be/zwLai-lu-pk?si=GpKNhtxVvTrS3-pu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbiwegner/