Less Chatter, More Matter: The Communications Podcast

Stepping into leadership doesn’t magically equip someone with the ability to communicate well. Yet, so many organisations still assume it does. In fact, research shows that 82% of new leaders receive no formal training, which means many simply copy the habits of their past managers. The result? Poor communication that trickles down and impacts whole teams.Which is why this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast explores the five core communication skills that every new leader needs to master. From listening with intent and translating strategy into something meaningful, to adapting communication styles, navigating difficult conversations and telling stories that inspire, these are the skills that build trust, motivate people and create clarity. If you’re new to leadership yourself or supporting others in their journey, you’ll walk away with practical ways to strengthen communication and avoid the common pitfalls. So get listening!Links mentioned in this episode:Episode 119: 5 things leaders can do to improve their communicationEpisode 132: Listening, and how it can change your internal comms (ft. Howard Krais)90 minute Strategy Power SessionPublic workshops and trainingLess Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s bookTopic in Ten - have your say!Template packsChange Isn't Hard! - Mel's bookSign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources! Say hi!Follow me on LinkedInFind out what I'm up to InstagramCheck out my websiteAsk a question

Change and communication work can be challenging, with shifting priorities, tight deadlines, and complex approvals creating frustration. Which is why on this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we sit down with Gilbert Kruidenier, organisational change expert, author, and volunteer firefighter, to explore common frustrations in change projects and practical ways to overcome them.Gilbert shares insights from over 20 years of experience across industries including retail, government, aged care, and disability. He explains how to distinguish between change and communications roles, manage workloads, navigate approvals, and make messages clear, simple, and human. The conversation also touches on lessons from Gilbert’s book Bad Change and strategies for improving the way change is communicated. Overall, we go over some of the mammoth pet peeves that all change and/or comms folks have, and how we can navigate them in a world where change is the new norm, and comms has to communicate about it.This episode is ideal if you're in change or communications and want practical ideas to make your work more effective and impactful.Links mentioned in this episode:Gilbert’s LinkedInKruidenier Consulting‘Bad Change’ book90 minute Strategy Power SessionPublic workshops and trainingLess Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s bookTopic in Ten - have your say!Template packsChange Isn't Hard! - Mel's bookSign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!Say hi!Follow me on LinkedInFind out what I'm up to InstagramCheck out my websiteAsk a question

Discover how to tackle the challenges of siloed workplaces that stifle collaboration. Four actionable strategies are shared to enhance communication between teams. Learn the importance of creating a single source of truth and empowering employees to share updates. The discussion emphasizes holding leaders accountable to ensure transparency. Ready to break down barriers and foster trust in your organization? Tune in for insights that encourage alignment and effective teamwork!

When we think of internal communication, we often jump straight to emails, intranets, and town halls... but what about listening? How do we truly hear employees and act on what they share?In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we're joined by Howard Krais, co-founder of True Communications and co-author of Leading the Listening Organisation. With decades of experience in global change communications, Howard has pioneered research into how organisations listen and why it matters.We dive into what makes a 'listening organisation,' the role leaders play in shaping culture, and how to move from hearing to truly listening. Howard also unpacks the barriers businesses face, how listening can become an early warning system for risks, and the surprising role AI might play in transforming how we listen.If you’ve ever felt like your surveys disappear into a black hole, or wondered how to build a culture where employees feel heard, this episode will change how you think about internal comms.Links mentioned in this episode:Howard Krais’ LinkedInTrue CommunicationsLeading the Listening Organisation: Creating Organisations that Flourish book90 minute Strategy Power SessionPublic workshops and trainingLess Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s bookTopic in Ten - have your say!Template packsChange Isn't Hard! - Mel's bookSign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!Say hi!Follow me on LinkedInFind out what I'm up to InstagramCheck out my websiteAsk a question

Ever nailed a comms campaign, where you know it's clear, concise and beautifully targeted, only to find it falls flat in action? The missing ingredient might be emotion. In this episode, we dive into the power of 'getting them in the feels' and why emotions are often the deciding factor in whether your audience engages, acts, or ignores your message entirely. Drawing on fascinating research, we share four practical ways to tap into emotions: making your message relatable, priming your audience’s thinking, framing information effectively, and connecting with their sense of identity. So, if you're driving organisational change, inspiring donations, or motivating action, these insights will help you speak to both hearts and minds, and actually get results.Listen in to this week's episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast.Links mentioned in this episode:90 minute Strategy Power SessionPublic workshops and trainingLess Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s bookTopic in Ten - have your say!Template packsChange Isn't Hard! - Mel's bookSign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!Say hi!Follow me on LinkedInFind out what I'm up to InstagramCheck out my websiteAsk a question

In the crowded and competitive world of Not-For-Profits, how do you cut through the noise, move hearts, and inspire action?In this powerful episode, we chat with Gurpreet Bhatia, Regional Communications Director for Asia at Heifer International, about the art and impact of storytelling in the nonprofit space. Gurpreet explains why storytelling is the soul of effective NFP communication and how real stories can drive funding, build connection, and spark meaningful transformation.She shares her storytelling strategies, including a simple but powerful story arc, and talks through one incredible story of a woman whose life—and entire community—was transformed. The episode also explores the role of AI in comms, the importance of human-first language, and why empathy, dignity, and listening matter more than ever.Whether you're in a lean comms team or just starting out in nonprofit storytelling, this episode will reignite your passion for the work we do.Tune in now and learn how to tell stories that truly matter.Links mentioned in this episode:Gurpreet’s LinkedInBihani Womens Cooperative story90 minute Strategy Power SessionPublic workshops and trainingLess Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s bookTopic in Ten - have your say!Template packsChange Isn't Hard! - Mel's bookSign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!Say hi!Follow me on LinkedInFind out what I'm up to InstagramCheck out my websiteAsk a question

Change projects don’t always run smoothly. In fact, they often stall, slow down, or get tangled in roadblocks. So what happens when you’re expected to keep communicating about a project… but there’s nothing new to report?In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we explore the tricky territory of staying visible and valuable when change efforts are stuck in the slow lane. You'll learn practical ways to communicate meaningfully, without creating noise or confusion, including how to tap into existing channels, tailor updates to specific audiences, offer behind-the-scenes insights, and maintain trust through transparency.Even when you’re knee-deep in a stalled initiative or perhaps you're just looking to sharpen your change comms skills. This episode will help you strike the right balance between staying silent and oversharing, plus, what to talk about if you choose to speak up.So, listen in and get the low down here.Links mentioned in this episode:90 minute Strategy Power SessionPublic workshops and trainingLess Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s bookTopic in Ten - have your say!Template packsChange Isn't Hard! - Mel's bookSign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!Say hi!Follow me on LinkedInFind out what I'm up to InstagramCheck out my websiteAsk a question

In a global workplace, communication isn't just about clarity. It's about cultural context, and how you manage this across borders.In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we are joined by cross-cultural communication expert Tiffany English, founder of Access Offshoring, to explore what it really takes to lead effectively across cultures. Tiffany shares a candid story from her own experience—when her collaborative leadership style wasn’t landing with her offshore team—and how it revealed a deeper cultural disconnect, not a performance issue.Together, we unpack the often-overlooked assumptions we bring to leadership: how feedback should be given, how decisions are made, and how trust is built. You’ll learn why directness can feel disrespectful in some cultures, and why silence doesn’t always mean disengagement.We chat about managing a dispersed team, why comms styles differ across cultures, and how to strengthen your cultural intelligence. We even cover some practical ways you can ask better questions, get better answers and navigate cross-cultural comms. In fact, this episode is packed with practical insights and small shifts that can make a big difference. So.. tune in now.Links mentioned in this episode:Tiffany’s LinkedInAccess Offshoring90 minute Strategy Power SessionPublic workshops and trainingLess Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s bookTopic in Ten - have your say!Template packsChange Isn't Hard! - Mel's bookSign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!Say hi!Follow me on LinkedInFind out what I'm up to InstagramCheck out my websiteAsk a question

Not every message we share is exciting, but often, it’s the dull updates that matter most. In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we dive into how we can turn dry topics like new policies, process changes, or compliance updates into messages that people actually notice, understand, and act on.We explain why the temptation to send out an “FYI” isn’t enough and why failing to communicate the “boring stuff” well can create risks to operations, reputation, and even legal compliance. We share five practical ways to make sure critical information cuts through the noise, without overwhelming your audience.You’ll also hear real examples (snake alerts at work, anyone?) and learn how legislation now recognises that poor communication can even pose a psychosocial risk in the workplace.If you’ve ever struggled to get people to pay attention to policies, procedures, or other “dry” updates, this episode is your reminder that you can make the boring interesting and protect your business at the same time.Tune in, take some notes, and find out how to turn your next dull update into something that sticks.Links mentioned in this episode:90 minute Strategy Power SessionPublic workshops and trainingLess Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s bookTopic in Ten - have your say!Template packsChange Isn't Hard! - Mel's bookSign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!Say hi!Follow me on LinkedInFind out what I'm up to InstagramCheck out my websiteAsk a question

When was the last time a slide deck inspired you to act? If your answer is “never,” then you know exactly why the conversation you're about to listen to, matters.In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast we chat with Soundari Mukherjea, a self-described Chief Everything Officer at Soundbytes11, who helps leaders and teams communicate with more purpose and impact through the power of storytelling.Soundari shares her own journey of building a portfolio career across consulting, mentoring, and teaching, alongside why she believes storytelling is one of the most underused but powerful tools we have as communicators. Together, we explore how stories engage our brains in ways that bullet points and data alone never can, and how leaders can turn everyday moments into anecdotes that stick, persuade and build trust.We dive into why storytelling doesn't need to be a Hollywood script, it can simply be about noticing the simple, relatable moments that help people connect with your message. Soundari brings practical ways you can use stories to break down silos, explain strategy and motivate change.We also talk about the role of AI in storytelling, as you can expect, including how tools can help spark ideas and find fresh metaphors, plus why your authentic voice is what actually builds credibility and trust. If you’re feeling stuck or hesitant about bringing storytelling into your work, this episode will give you real-life examples, practical tips and a nudge to start small and practise often.Links mentioned in this episode:Soundari’s LinkedInSoundbytes1190 minute Strategy Power SessionPublic workshops and trainingLess Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s bookTopic in Ten - have your say!Template packsChange Isn't Hard! - Mel's bookSign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!Say hi!Follow me on LinkedInFind out what I'm up to InstagramCheck out my websiteAsk a question