June 8, 2025 • 29 mins
Welcome to another empowering episode of the Inspirations for Your Life Podcast! I’m your host, John C. Morley — a serial entrepreneur, engineer, podcast coach, and passionate lifelong communicator. Each week, I bring you insights that help you unlock your potential, elevate your mindset, and make a lasting impact. In today’s episode, we explore one of the most powerful forces on Earth — communication. It’s more than speaking or writing. It’s the invisible thread that connects ideas, builds relationships, and shapes how we live, lead, and learn. If you’ve ever underestimated the influence of effective communication, today’s episode will shift your perspective and inspire new action.
1️⃣ Bridges Cultures and Languages 🌍
Communication is the first step toward understanding across cultures. When we take time to learn someone else’s language—whether literal or cultural—we expand our worldview and build trust. Even simple efforts to communicate with cultural sensitivity can lead to meaningful exchanges that strengthen relationships. It's not about being fluent in every dialect; it’s about being fluent in empathy. When communication is used to connect rather than divide, it dissolves boundaries and fosters a world where diversity is celebrated, not feared.
2️⃣ Fuels Innovation and Progress 🚀
Every breakthrough starts with an idea, but ideas go nowhere without communication. When teams are encouraged to speak openly, challenge assumptions, and share insights, innovation flourishes. The most advanced technologies, creative products, and global movements all started as conversations. Communication transforms isolated brilliance into collaborative success. By cultivating environments where ideas are heard and explored, we build momentum that drives lasting progress.
3️⃣ Builds Empathy and Reduces Conflict ❤️🩹
Miscommunication is one of the biggest causes of conflict, whether in families, friendships, or organizations. On the flip side, intentional communication builds empathy. When we take time to listen without interrupting or judging, we gain insight into another person’s feelings, needs, and worldview. That insight softens our responses and deepens our understanding. In doing so, we reduce tension and create stronger, more compassionate connections.
4️⃣ Empowers Global Collaboration 🌐
In a digital age, teams often stretch across time zones, countries, and continents. What keeps them aligned isn’t just shared documents — it’s shared communication. When communication is clear, inclusive, and consistent, people work together more effectively regardless of location. Strong communication empowers people from different cultures and roles to contribute fully, collaborate confidently, and create results that no one could achieve alone.
5️⃣ Strengthens Relationships 🤝
Whether in personal life or professional settings, relationships thrive on meaningful communication. When we express appreciation, ask questions, and give feedback constructively, we reinforce trust. Great communication keeps relationships vibrant, reduces misunderstandings, and helps people feel seen and valued. It's not about saying more — it's about saying what matters with heart and clarity.
6️⃣ Breaks Down Prejudice 🧠💥
Ignorance and fear often fuel bias. But when we create safe spaces for open dialogue, stereotypes begin to fade. Hearing someone’s story or perspective changes the narrative from “them” to “us.” Communication isn’t just about conveying facts; it’s about conveying humanity. And when that happens, we replace judgment with respect — and walls with bridges.
7️⃣ Unites People Around a Common Purpose 🌟
A clear and compelling message can galvanize people into action. From social movements to team projects, communication aligns people around a vision and gives them a sense of shared mission. When people understand the “why” behind their efforts, they bring more energy, creativity, and heart to the work. Communication is the compass that keeps teams poi
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:19):
Well, hey guys, it is John C.
Morley here, serial entrepreneur.
It is great to be with you on
Inspirations for Your Life, a little bit of
a crazy schedule this week.
Tomorrow is actually a midterm, but great to
be with you on Inspirations for Your Life.
We have a great master topic of the
week, and that's how connection, purpose, and peace
(00:41):
transform our world, and the granular for this
evening.
Today is the Power of Communication Transcends Boundaries,
series four, show 24, episode number two.
So, again, I am very grateful to be
with everyone here today.
It is really, really good to be with
everybody, and hopefully you guys are definitely ready
(01:08):
for some amazing stuff, because that's what I
want to share with you.
I want to share with you some amazing
stuff, which I think will really be a
big change in your life.
So hopefully you guys will definitely enjoy that.
All right.
So let's kick the show off, because we've
got a lot of great stuff here to
(01:30):
talk about.
All right, everyone?
So without any further ado, let's go ahead
and get into the show, because, again, I
have some great stuff that I definitely want
to share with you.
So friends, if you are new to the
show, well, welcome to Inspirations for Your Life.
(01:51):
And if you're coming back, well, welcome back,
everyone.
It is so great to have everyone here
on the show to be with me and
to see all this great stuff.
And so if you haven't checked out BelieveMeAchieved
.com, go ahead and check that out.
I think you will really find it useful.
It has lots of great information to improve
the quality of your life.
(02:13):
All right, guys.
So let's just dive right in, shall we?
That's the best way to do it.
So in case you didn't know, by the
way, why don't you go get yourself something
great from the kitchen?
Maybe it's something hot, something cold, a coffee,
or just a snack, or something healthy or
not.
And hurry on back.
Welcome to another empowering episode of Inspirations for
Your Life podcast.
I'm your host, John Seymour, a serial entrepreneur,
(02:35):
engineer, podcast host, video producer, passionate lifelong communicator.
Each week, I bring you insights that help
you unlock your potential, elevate your mindset, and
make a lasting impact.
In today's episode, we will explore one of
the most powerful forces on earth.
What's that?
Communication.
It's more than speaking or writing.
(02:56):
It's the invisible thread that connects ideas, builds
relationships, and shapes how we live, lead, and
learn.
If you've ever underestimated the influence of effective
communication, today's episode will shift your perspective and
inspire new action.
So where do we start, guys?
We start with bridging new action.
(03:16):
We start with bridging new action.
And so how do we do that with
new cultures and languages?
Communication is the first step toward understanding across
cultures.
When we take time to learn someone else's
language, whether it's literal or cultural, we expand
(03:37):
our worldview and build trust.
Even simple efforts to communicate with cultural sensitivity
can lead to meaningful exchanges that strengthen relationships.
It's not about being fluent in everyday dialect.
It's about being fluent in empathy.
When communication is used to connect rather than
divide, it dissolves boundaries and fosters a world
(03:59):
where diversity is celebrated, not feared.
I think that's a very important thing for
a lot of people to understand is that
we have to embrace that whole concept, right?
Not fear it.
I think that's a really big one.
And number two, guys, fuels innovation and progress.
Every breakthrough that we make or someone else
makes starts with an idea.
(04:20):
But ideas go nowhere without communication.
When teams are encouraged to speak openly, challenge
assumptions, and share insights, innovation flourishes.
The most advanced technologies, creative products, and global
movements all started as conversations.
Communication transforms isolated billions into collaborative success.
(04:43):
By cultivating environments where ideas are heard and
explored, we build momentum that drives lasting progress,
builds empathy, and reduces conflict.
Miscommunication is one of the biggest causes of
conflict, whether it's in families, friendship, or organizations.
On the flip side, intentional communication builds empathy.
(05:07):
When we take the time to listen without
interrupting or judging anyone, we gain insights into
another person's feelings, needs, and worldview.
That insight softens our responses and deepens our
understanding in doing so we reduce tensions and
create stronger, more compassionate connections.
Number four, empowering global collaboration.
(05:31):
I think that's a very important thing to
empower global collaboration.
In a digital age, teams often stretch across
time zones, countries, and continents.
Well, Keystone Aligned isn't just shared documents.
It's shared communication.
(05:52):
When communication is clear, inclusive, and consistent, people
work together and we're effectively, regardless of the
location, strong communication empowers people from different cultures
and roles to contribute fully, collaborate confidently, and
create results that no one could achieve alone.
Number five, strengthen relationships.
(06:12):
Whether you're in a personal life relationship or
professional setting, relationships thrive on meaningful communication.
We've talked about that before.
When we express appreciation, ask questions, and give
feedback constructively, we reinforce trust.
Great communication keeps relationships vibrant, reduces misunderstandings, and
helps people feel seen and valued.
(06:33):
It's not about saying more.
It's about saying what matters with heart and
clarity.
Number six, ignorance and fear often fuel bias,
but when we create safe spaces for open
dialogue, stereotypes begin to fade.
Hearing someone's story or perspective changes the narrative
from them to us.
(06:53):
Communication isn't about conveying facts.
It's about conveying humanity.
And when that happens, we replace judgment with
respect and walls with bridges.
Number seven, uniting people around a common purpose.
A clear and compelling message can galvanize people
(07:16):
into action.
From social movements to team projects, communication aligns
people around a vision and gives them a
sense of shared mission.
When people understand the way behind their efforts,
they bring more energy, creativity, and heart to
work.
Communication is the compass that keeps teams pointed
(07:38):
in the same direction.
But sometimes, well, the compass has not been
calibrated.
Number eight, enhancing leadership effectively.
Great leaders aren't good decision makers out of
the box.
They're great communicators.
They know how to inspire, clarify, and listen.
(07:58):
Communication helps leaders connect with their teams, deliver
feedback, resolve issues, and articulate vision.
Leaders who master communication build loyalty and lead
with integrity, earning respect that goes far beyond
titles.
Number nine, driving team performance.
A high-performing team doesn't happen by chance.
It's built on trust and transparency.
(08:21):
When team members feel heard and aligned, they
collaborate more effectively, resolve issues faster, and stay
focused on goals.
Communication creates clarity, which eliminates confusion and boosts
morale.
A team that communicates well is a team
that wins together.
Now, I know that's a big mouthful, but,
(08:42):
you know, guys, that's absolutely the truth.
When you can understand that, you can realize
that there's a lot, right?
There is a lot going on.
And I think that's something that's, you know,
that's really, really important, okay?
(09:03):
Really, really important because when you think about
these things, right?
They're amazing, all right?
And the reason they're so amazing is because
they reshape who we are, right?
They reshape the world.
I think that's a huge, I think that's
(09:23):
a huge thing, all right?
If we can go by, you know, how
we are and, you know, what we're doing,
you know, maybe it's something that we didn't
know about, but it's something that can make
a huge, huge difference in our life, right?
That's the key, guys.
(09:45):
That is ultimately the key, the key to
make you having a better life, all right?
But I know sometimes this can seem daunting,
if I may, all right?
It can seem daunting because you don't necessarily
know where you want to go, right?
(10:06):
And I think that's a very important thing,
to understand where you want to go and
why you want to go a certain way,
right?
Maybe it's about something you've thought about.
Maybe it's about something that you weren't ready
for, right?
But when we dig deep, okay, when we
(10:31):
dig deep into our mind, it's like this
whole new world unfurls for us, okay?
I think that's something that's, I'm going to
say, very, very powerful, but I want to
tell you that it's not something that's going
to happen overnight.
(10:53):
I'm just going to be truthful about that,
all right?
It's not going to happen overnight.
And the reason it's not going to happen
overnight is because you need to realize where
things are at a given moment.
And for that, we've got to have some
grace and we've got to have some gratitude,
right?
We've got to have some grace and we've
got to have some gratitude.
(11:14):
And that's a very, very important thing to
understand, all right?
We've talked about gratitude many, many times in
the past.
Number 10, all right?
Number 10 is facilitating personal growth.
(11:35):
Self-reflection is a form of internal communication
and it's vital for personal development, whether journaling,
meditating, or seeking feedback.
Communicating with yourself helps clarify values, process emotions,
and set goals.
Likewise, learning how to communicate better with other
challenges, you to grow in patience, empathy, and
confidence, essential traits for a fulfilling life.
(11:58):
And I think this is something that a
lot of people miss, that we can facilitate
really greatness.
I think that's something that is things people
talk about, but they don't realize, like, you
know, what's going to happen or when it's
going to happen, right?
I think that's a very, how can I
say, a very, very important thing.
(12:21):
And by an important thing, I mean it
because you have to understand that life will
keep happening to you, okay?
Life will keep happening.
And if life keeps happening, then it's like
your world's going to change, right?
(12:41):
Your world is going to change.
But I want to be clear with you
guys and tell you that it does not
happen overnight.
No, it does not.
It does not happen overnight.
And the reason it doesn't happen overnight is
because we have to figure out certain things.
We have to figure out why something is
(13:03):
a certain way, right?
And that might sound scary to some of
you, but it's absolutely the truth, right?
It's absolutely the truth.
And the more that you can embrace this,
the more that you can understand that, you
know, life is going to happen, right?
(13:25):
And the reason life is going to happen
is because there's so much amazing stuff out
there, okay?
I mean, I'm talking about really, really amazing
stuff.
Not terrible stuff, but I mean really, really
amazing stuff.
And I think that's probably something that a
lot of people, you know, they just don't
(13:47):
really realize it.
So I want to make sure everyone understands,
and I hope you understand, that you have
so many choices in your life, okay?
So many choices.
And with those choices, well, there's a lot
you can do.
There's an awful lot that you can do
(14:07):
as a person, right?
And this sometimes can be hard for people
because they don't necessarily get why something is
working a certain way.
They just don't, they don't really understand it.
That's probably the best way to explain this,
is they don't really understand it.
(14:29):
And by, it makes sense though, okay?
And the reason I said it makes sense
is because it gets people to understand who
they are in life, right?
Why things are happening a certain way, or
why they're not happening a certain way.
But the most important thing is to realize
(14:51):
that you can make amazing changes in your
life.
I'm talking about really amazing changes.
But a lot of people, you know, they
get stuck because they say, well, you know
what, I don't know what words to use.
I don't know exactly what to say.
So you don't need to be a rock
at science to communicate, but you do need
to have empathy, right?
That's important.
(15:11):
This is my favorite part of the show.
I'm going to give you basically a personal
lesson, basically, or story for every point that
I shared tonight.
And I'm hoping that it will inspire you,
(15:34):
okay?
That it will get you to take that
action, the action that maybe you didn't know
you needed to take, right?
I think that's a very important thing.
And the reason I say it's so important
is because it just is.
It is very, very important.
(15:58):
And when people realize things are this important,
they like change.
Do you know what I'm saying?
They change what's going on and why things
are going on.
And that kind of blows me out of
the water.
I don't know about you, but that blows
me out of the water.
So let me get into sharing these stories
(16:19):
because I think you guys are going to
have a really amazing, let's say, understanding with
what I want to share, right?
And so hopefully I'll have time to share
each story.
I mean, I have about 14 stories because
there were 14 points.
First one is bridging cultures and language.
(16:40):
I remember traveling to another country as a
young student with ALSG, American Leadership Study Groups,
with zero influence in the language over there.
I think at this time I was in
Italy.
At first I struggled even with basic interactions,
but instead of getting frustrated, I focused on
learning cultural etiquette, body language, and a few
(17:02):
simple words of greeting where the restrooms were
and things like that.
To my surprise, that small effort broke barriers
and built real connections.
A local vendor even invited me to his
home for dinner.
That experience taught me that communication is less
about perfection, guys, and more about intention and
respect.
Being understood, all right, goes far beyond words.
(17:29):
It fuels innovation, right?
And fueling innovation and progress, speaking about that.
Back when I was working on one of
my first startup ideas, I was stuck.
No one on the team wanted to criticize
anyone else's ideas for fear of offending them.
It wasn't until we opened up to real
transparent brainstorming sessions where everything was fair game
(17:52):
that we started making progress.
One of our interns who barely spoke in
the meeting shared a simple observation that led
to a major product pivot.
That pivot led to our first round of
funding.
Communication lit the fuse for innovation.
I remember another time when I was building
empathy and reducing conflict.
(18:12):
A few years ago, I had a friend
who had stopped talking to me after a
misunderstanding.
At first, I felt a little angry, upset,
but then I decided to just reach out
and ask to talk face to face.
I didn't defend myself.
Instead, I listened.
That moment of humility opened the floodgates.
We both cried, talked, and found some common
ground.
(18:33):
Our friendship came back stronger than ever, and
that experience taught me that empathy starts with
the willingness to really listen without needing to
be right.
Number four, guys, empowering global collaboration.
During a consulting project I was working on
with teams overseas and different time zones and
accents and different work styles made communication, let's
(18:56):
say, a little challenging to say the least.
I instituted a weekly virtual town hall and
cultural spotlights where each region shared their customs.
It not only improved workflow, it built mutual
respect.
Global collaboration thrives when communication is not just
transactional, but it's transformational.
I think too many people in the world
want it to be transactional because they claim
(19:18):
they don't have time.
You just show when you care, people will
be a lot more willing to help you.
Number five, strengthening relationships.
My mentor once said, relationships are built in
the quiet moments.
I like to say between the breaths, between
your heartbeats.
I never understood it until I started making
a habit of writing thank you notes, real
(19:39):
ones.
I even changed my email several years ago
to say, warmest regards with gratitude.
You're like, what do you think?
I'm just thanking you.
One day I sent one to a client
I thought I had lost.
He later told me that note made him
rethink ending our contract.
Words have power.
The right messages at the right time can
strengthen bonds more than grand gestures can.
(20:03):
Number six, breaking down prejudice.
I once volunteered at a youth camp where
kids from very different backgrounds were paired up.
One guy came in with a strong bias,
but on the other hand, on the second
night, the same person opened up during a
sharing circle.
His partner, whom had judged him harshly, shared
(20:26):
a personal story about growing up without a
father.
That shifted everything.
The two became inseparable.
By the end of the week, prejudice began
to disintegrate and unraveled when communication introduced the
heart behind the stereotype.
See, when people know that you care, they
really don't care what you know until they
know you care.
(20:46):
Uniting people around a common purpose.
One time I launched a not-for-profit.
It started with just a few people, but
when I shared the mission to create this
organization to help people and learn about their
businesses locally, we suddenly had momentum.
Everyone rallied behind it.
People don't follow plans, they follow passion, and
(21:09):
passion is communicated.
Number eight, enhancing leadership.
As a leader, I learned that silence in
meetings doesn't mean agreement.
It can mean confusion or doubt.
One day I started ending meetings by asking
everyone to share what they understood and what
(21:31):
questions they had.
The results were eye-opening.
I wasn't being clear enough when I improved
how I communicated goals and expectations.
Team morale and performance went up as well.
Great communication made me a better leader.
Number nine, driving team performance.
At one of my tech firms, we had
(21:54):
teams that couldn't meet deadlines no matter what
we tried.
After candid discussions, we discovered the problem was
no one wanted to admit they were stuck.
Once we create a culture of open communication,
performance soared.
Weekly check-ins and Slack updates kept everyone
aligned.
Clarity turned chaos into cohesion, magical collaboration.
(22:19):
Number 10, facilitating personal growth.
Years ago, I started journaling to cope with
some stress.
What began as a venting outlet became a
growth practice.
Reading my own words helped me to see
patterns in my thinking, recognize my fears, and
find motivation.
Communication with myself became the key to unlocking
(22:39):
greater self-awareness.
Growth starts when we learn to listen to
our own inner dialogue.
I have a question for you, folks.
Do you listen to your inner dialogue or
do you just constantly complain about what's going
on in life?
I mean, I just want to ask you
that question because a lot of people might
not think about that.
But just take some time and think about
that.
Number 11, inspiring change and advocacy.
(23:01):
I once met someone at a networking event
who was passionate about mental health.
He started this blog that gained traction.
Eventually, his writing caught the attention of a
local lawmaker.
One letter he wrote helped pass a bill
for better mental health resources in schools.
One voice communicated clearly can spark change.
(23:21):
You might say, gee, John, what can I
do?
I'm only one voice.
You can do plenty.
Number 12, elevating emotional intelligence.
I used to struggle with reading social cues
until I began watching how emotionally intelligent people
communicated.
They didn't just speak.
They observed.
They paused.
They responded with care.
I practiced their techniques, mirroring, active listening, and
(23:44):
validating others.
Over time, I noticed a shift.
People opened up to me more.
Emotional intelligence is communication and action, in case
you guys didn't know.
Number 13, supporting inclusive environments.
I led a workshop for a large telecommunication
(24:07):
company several years ago.
One employee of theirs shared that it was
his first time, and he felt truly respected
at his work.
Language mattered.
I built this culture of diversity.
No discrimination of race, religion, orientation, creed, color,
political party.
(24:28):
Even the way we wrote our emails or
introduced people can shape whether others feel welcome.
Communication is how we build safe spaces where
people can shine and truly thrive.
Number 14, guys, turn your ideas into meaningful
action.
Now, that's very powerful, but I got to
tell you something.
That's not something that's just going to happen
(24:50):
in five seconds.
Let me be very truthful with you on
that.
Number 14, turn your ideas into meaningful action.
But what do we mean by turning ideas?
Well, it means that you take a stance,
that you actually do something in your life.
Now, I know that sounds like crazy, all
right?
(25:10):
But it's truth.
It's absolutely the truth.
And if something is the truth, then other
people are going to want to know about
it too.
I had an idea a while back for
this summit many years ago, but I kept
it to myself.
(25:30):
Then one day I shared it during a
networking mixer.
Someone overheard and introduced me to a partner
who helped fund it.
That summit became one of our biggest successes.
The idea was powerful, but it was communication
that gave it wings.
I think sometimes we want the car to
go or we want to go to the
next stop, but we don't necessarily know how.
(25:53):
And I want to tell you this tonight.
You don't have to know how.
You just need to have the desire to
go there.
Does it make sense?
I'm hoping it does because when we truly
do, magic happens.
Magic happens.
(26:15):
And if magic happens, how about you?
But I think that's a pretty powerful thing,
right?
When magic happens, do you do something right
away?
Do you wait?
And although that sounds a little bit confusing,
(26:38):
I want to tell you that you have
more power than you think you have.
That's very powerful.
Very, very powerful.
So we're talking this whole week about a
very interesting and a very important topic, which
most people like to hedge or stay away
(27:00):
from.
And that topic, ladies and gentlemen, is how
connection, how purpose and peace can transform our
world.
You might say, G.
John, how can that happen?
When somebody has an understanding of something, they
become very excited and driven to move forward.
(27:22):
I think that is probably the bee's knees,
right?
But maybe you don't understand why something happens.
And I think the reason something happens or
(27:42):
doesn't happen, you know what it is?
It's because of you.
It's because of you.
You're the reason why something happens or doesn't
happen, whether you make a certain move or
whether you don't make the move, right?
(28:07):
I think a lot of people sometimes feel
that they are stuck and they don't know
where to go.
And when people get stuck and frustrated, it's
like they give up sometimes, right?
And why?
(28:34):
Frustrated.
They get frustrated.
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm John Seymour, Early Serial
Entrepreneur.
It's always a privilege, pleasure and honor to
be with you here on the amazing inspirations
of your life.
Thank you so much for supporting me and
watching all my great content.
You know what, ladies and gentlemen, I'm going
to catch you real soon.
Have a fantastic rest of your evening.
All right, everyone, be well.
Well, hey guys, it is John C.
Morley here, serial entrepreneur.
It is great to be with you on
Inspirations for Your Life, a little bit of
a crazy schedule this week.
Tomorrow is actually a midterm, but great to
be with you on Inspirations for Your Life.
We have a great master topic of the
week, and that's how connection, purpose, and peace
(00:41):
transform our world, and the granular for this
evening.
Today is the Power of Communication Transcends Boundaries,
series four, show 24, episode number two.
So, again, I am very grateful to be
with everyone here today.
It is really, really good to be with
everybody, and hopefully you guys are definitely ready
(01:08):
for some amazing stuff, because that's what I
want to share with you.
I want to share with you some amazing
stuff, which I think will really be a
big change in your life.
So hopefully you guys will definitely enjoy that.
All right.
So let's kick the show off, because we've
got a lot of great stuff here to
(01:30):
talk about.
All right, everyone?
So without any further ado, let's go ahead
and get into the show, because, again, I
have some great stuff that I definitely want
to share with you.
So friends, if you are new to the
show, well, welcome to Inspirations for Your Life.
(01:51):
And if you're coming back, well, welcome back,
everyone.
It is so great to have everyone here
on the show to be with me and
to see all this great stuff.
And so if you haven't checked out BelieveMeAchieved
.com, go ahead and check that out.
I think you will really find it useful.
It has lots of great information to improve
the quality of your life.
(02:13):
All right, guys.
So let's just dive right in, shall we?
That's the best way to do it.
So in case you didn't know, by the
way, why don't you go get yourself something
great from the kitchen?
Maybe it's something hot, something cold, a coffee,
or just a snack, or something healthy or
not.
And hurry on back.
Welcome to another empowering episode of Inspirations for
Your Life podcast.
I'm your host, John Seymour, a serial entrepreneur,
(02:35):
engineer, podcast host, video producer, passionate lifelong communicator.
Each week, I bring you insights that help
you unlock your potential, elevate your mindset, and
make a lasting impact.
In today's episode, we will explore one of
the most powerful forces on earth.
What's that?
Communication.
It's more than speaking or writing.
(02:56):
It's the invisible thread that connects ideas, builds
relationships, and shapes how we live, lead, and
learn.
If you've ever underestimated the influence of effective
communication, today's episode will shift your perspective and
inspire new action.
So where do we start, guys?
We start with bridging new action.
(03:16):
We start with bridging new action.
And so how do we do that with
new cultures and languages?
Communication is the first step toward understanding across
cultures.
When we take time to learn someone else's
language, whether it's literal or cultural, we expand
(03:37):
our worldview and build trust.
Even simple efforts to communicate with cultural sensitivity
can lead to meaningful exchanges that strengthen relationships.
It's not about being fluent in everyday dialect.
It's about being fluent in empathy.
When communication is used to connect rather than
divide, it dissolves boundaries and fosters a world
(03:59):
where diversity is celebrated, not feared.
I think that's a very important thing for
a lot of people to understand is that
we have to embrace that whole concept, right?
Not fear it.
I think that's a really big one.
And number two, guys, fuels innovation and progress.
Every breakthrough that we make or someone else
makes starts with an idea.
(04:20):
But ideas go nowhere without communication.
When teams are encouraged to speak openly, challenge
assumptions, and share insights, innovation flourishes.
The most advanced technologies, creative products, and global
movements all started as conversations.
Communication transforms isolated billions into collaborative success.
(04:43):
By cultivating environments where ideas are heard and
explored, we build momentum that drives lasting progress,
builds empathy, and reduces conflict.
Miscommunication is one of the biggest causes of
conflict, whether it's in families, friendship, or organizations.
On the flip side, intentional communication builds empathy.
(05:07):
When we take the time to listen without
interrupting or judging anyone, we gain insights into
another person's feelings, needs, and worldview.
That insight softens our responses and deepens our
understanding in doing so we reduce tensions and
create stronger, more compassionate connections.
Number four, empowering global collaboration.
(05:31):
I think that's a very important thing to
empower global collaboration.
In a digital age, teams often stretch across
time zones, countries, and continents.
Well, Keystone Aligned isn't just shared documents.
It's shared communication.
(05:52):
When communication is clear, inclusive, and consistent, people
work together and we're effectively, regardless of the
location, strong communication empowers people from different cultures
and roles to contribute fully, collaborate confidently, and
create results that no one could achieve alone.
Number five, strengthen relationships.
(06:12):
Whether you're in a personal life relationship or
professional setting, relationships thrive on meaningful communication.
We've talked about that before.
When we express appreciation, ask questions, and give
feedback constructively, we reinforce trust.
Great communication keeps relationships vibrant, reduces misunderstandings, and
helps people feel seen and valued.
(06:33):
It's not about saying more.
It's about saying what matters with heart and
clarity.
Number six, ignorance and fear often fuel bias,
but when we create safe spaces for open
dialogue, stereotypes begin to fade.
Hearing someone's story or perspective changes the narrative
from them to us.
(06:53):
Communication isn't about conveying facts.
It's about conveying humanity.
And when that happens, we replace judgment with
respect and walls with bridges.
Number seven, uniting people around a common purpose.
A clear and compelling message can galvanize people
(07:16):
into action.
From social movements to team projects, communication aligns
people around a vision and gives them a
sense of shared mission.
When people understand the way behind their efforts,
they bring more energy, creativity, and heart to
work.
Communication is the compass that keeps teams pointed
(07:38):
in the same direction.
But sometimes, well, the compass has not been
calibrated.
Number eight, enhancing leadership effectively.
Great leaders aren't good decision makers out of
the box.
They're great communicators.
They know how to inspire, clarify, and listen.
(07:58):
Communication helps leaders connect with their teams, deliver
feedback, resolve issues, and articulate vision.
Leaders who master communication build loyalty and lead
with integrity, earning respect that goes far beyond
titles.
Number nine, driving team performance.
A high-performing team doesn't happen by chance.
It's built on trust and transparency.
(08:21):
When team members feel heard and aligned, they
collaborate more effectively, resolve issues faster, and stay
focused on goals.
Communication creates clarity, which eliminates confusion and boosts
morale.
A team that communicates well is a team
that wins together.
Now, I know that's a big mouthful, but,
(08:42):
you know, guys, that's absolutely the truth.
When you can understand that, you can realize
that there's a lot, right?
There is a lot going on.
And I think that's something that's, you know,
that's really, really important, okay?
(09:03):
Really, really important because when you think about
these things, right?
They're amazing, all right?
And the reason they're so amazing is because
they reshape who we are, right?
They reshape the world.
I think that's a huge, I think that's
(09:23):
a huge thing, all right?
If we can go by, you know, how
we are and, you know, what we're doing,
you know, maybe it's something that we didn't
know about, but it's something that can make
a huge, huge difference in our life, right?
That's the key, guys.
(09:45):
That is ultimately the key, the key to
make you having a better life, all right?
But I know sometimes this can seem daunting,
if I may, all right?
It can seem daunting because you don't necessarily
know where you want to go, right?
(10:06):
And I think that's a very important thing,
to understand where you want to go and
why you want to go a certain way,
right?
Maybe it's about something you've thought about.
Maybe it's about something that you weren't ready
for, right?
But when we dig deep, okay, when we
(10:31):
dig deep into our mind, it's like this
whole new world unfurls for us, okay?
I think that's something that's, I'm going to
say, very, very powerful, but I want to
tell you that it's not something that's going
to happen overnight.
(10:53):
I'm just going to be truthful about that,
all right?
It's not going to happen overnight.
And the reason it's not going to happen
overnight is because you need to realize where
things are at a given moment.
And for that, we've got to have some
grace and we've got to have some gratitude,
right?
We've got to have some grace and we've
got to have some gratitude.
(11:14):
And that's a very, very important thing to
understand, all right?
We've talked about gratitude many, many times in
the past.
Number 10, all right?
Number 10 is facilitating personal growth.
(11:35):
Self-reflection is a form of internal communication
and it's vital for personal development, whether journaling,
meditating, or seeking feedback.
Communicating with yourself helps clarify values, process emotions,
and set goals.
Likewise, learning how to communicate better with other
challenges, you to grow in patience, empathy, and
confidence, essential traits for a fulfilling life.
(11:58):
And I think this is something that a
lot of people miss, that we can facilitate
really greatness.
I think that's something that is things people
talk about, but they don't realize, like, you
know, what's going to happen or when it's
going to happen, right?
I think that's a very, how can I
say, a very, very important thing.
(12:21):
And by an important thing, I mean it
because you have to understand that life will
keep happening to you, okay?
Life will keep happening.
And if life keeps happening, then it's like
your world's going to change, right?
(12:41):
Your world is going to change.
But I want to be clear with you
guys and tell you that it does not
happen overnight.
No, it does not.
It does not happen overnight.
And the reason it doesn't happen overnight is
because we have to figure out certain things.
We have to figure out why something is
(13:03):
a certain way, right?
And that might sound scary to some of
you, but it's absolutely the truth, right?
It's absolutely the truth.
And the more that you can embrace this,
the more that you can understand that, you
know, life is going to happen, right?
(13:25):
And the reason life is going to happen
is because there's so much amazing stuff out
there, okay?
I mean, I'm talking about really, really amazing
stuff.
Not terrible stuff, but I mean really, really
amazing stuff.
And I think that's probably something that a
lot of people, you know, they just don't
(13:47):
really realize it.
So I want to make sure everyone understands,
and I hope you understand, that you have
so many choices in your life, okay?
So many choices.
And with those choices, well, there's a lot
you can do.
There's an awful lot that you can do
(14:07):
as a person, right?
And this sometimes can be hard for people
because they don't necessarily get why something is
working a certain way.
They just don't, they don't really understand it.
That's probably the best way to explain this,
is they don't really understand it.
(14:29):
And by, it makes sense though, okay?
And the reason I said it makes sense
is because it gets people to understand who
they are in life, right?
Why things are happening a certain way, or
why they're not happening a certain way.
But the most important thing is to realize
(14:51):
that you can make amazing changes in your
life.
I'm talking about really amazing changes.
But a lot of people, you know, they
get stuck because they say, well, you know
what, I don't know what words to use.
I don't know exactly what to say.
So you don't need to be a rock
at science to communicate, but you do need
to have empathy, right?
That's important.
(15:11):
This is my favorite part of the show.
I'm going to give you basically a personal
lesson, basically, or story for every point that
I shared tonight.
And I'm hoping that it will inspire you,
(15:34):
okay?
That it will get you to take that
action, the action that maybe you didn't know
you needed to take, right?
I think that's a very important thing.
And the reason I say it's so important
is because it just is.
It is very, very important.
(15:58):
And when people realize things are this important,
they like change.
Do you know what I'm saying?
They change what's going on and why things
are going on.
And that kind of blows me out of
the water.
I don't know about you, but that blows
me out of the water.
So let me get into sharing these stories
(16:19):
because I think you guys are going to
have a really amazing, let's say, understanding with
what I want to share, right?
And so hopefully I'll have time to share
each story.
I mean, I have about 14 stories because
there were 14 points.
First one is bridging cultures and language.
(16:40):
I remember traveling to another country as a
young student with ALSG, American Leadership Study Groups,
with zero influence in the language over there.
I think at this time I was in
Italy.
At first I struggled even with basic interactions,
but instead of getting frustrated, I focused on
learning cultural etiquette, body language, and a few
(17:02):
simple words of greeting where the restrooms were
and things like that.
To my surprise, that small effort broke barriers
and built real connections.
A local vendor even invited me to his
home for dinner.
That experience taught me that communication is less
about perfection, guys, and more about intention and
respect.
Being understood, all right, goes far beyond words.
(17:29):
It fuels innovation, right?
And fueling innovation and progress, speaking about that.
Back when I was working on one of
my first startup ideas, I was stuck.
No one on the team wanted to criticize
anyone else's ideas for fear of offending them.
It wasn't until we opened up to real
transparent brainstorming sessions where everything was fair game
(17:52):
that we started making progress.
One of our interns who barely spoke in
the meeting shared a simple observation that led
to a major product pivot.
That pivot led to our first round of
funding.
Communication lit the fuse for innovation.
I remember another time when I was building
empathy and reducing conflict.
(18:12):
A few years ago, I had a friend
who had stopped talking to me after a
misunderstanding.
At first, I felt a little angry, upset,
but then I decided to just reach out
and ask to talk face to face.
I didn't defend myself.
Instead, I listened.
That moment of humility opened the floodgates.
We both cried, talked, and found some common
ground.
(18:33):
Our friendship came back stronger than ever, and
that experience taught me that empathy starts with
the willingness to really listen without needing to
be right.
Number four, guys, empowering global collaboration.
During a consulting project I was working on
with teams overseas and different time zones and
accents and different work styles made communication, let's
(18:56):
say, a little challenging to say the least.
I instituted a weekly virtual town hall and
cultural spotlights where each region shared their customs.
It not only improved workflow, it built mutual
respect.
Global collaboration thrives when communication is not just
transactional, but it's transformational.
I think too many people in the world
want it to be transactional because they claim
(19:18):
they don't have time.
You just show when you care, people will
be a lot more willing to help you.
Number five, strengthening relationships.
My mentor once said, relationships are built in
the quiet moments.
I like to say between the breaths, between
your heartbeats.
I never understood it until I started making
a habit of writing thank you notes, real
(19:39):
ones.
I even changed my email several years ago
to say, warmest regards with gratitude.
You're like, what do you think?
I'm just thanking you.
One day I sent one to a client
I thought I had lost.
He later told me that note made him
rethink ending our contract.
Words have power.
The right messages at the right time can
strengthen bonds more than grand gestures can.
(20:03):
Number six, breaking down prejudice.
I once volunteered at a youth camp where
kids from very different backgrounds were paired up.
One guy came in with a strong bias,
but on the other hand, on the second
night, the same person opened up during a
sharing circle.
His partner, whom had judged him harshly, shared
(20:26):
a personal story about growing up without a
father.
That shifted everything.
The two became inseparable.
By the end of the week, prejudice began
to disintegrate and unraveled when communication introduced the
heart behind the stereotype.
See, when people know that you care, they
really don't care what you know until they
know you care.
(20:46):
Uniting people around a common purpose.
One time I launched a not-for-profit.
It started with just a few people, but
when I shared the mission to create this
organization to help people and learn about their
businesses locally, we suddenly had momentum.
Everyone rallied behind it.
People don't follow plans, they follow passion, and
(21:09):
passion is communicated.
Number eight, enhancing leadership.
As a leader, I learned that silence in
meetings doesn't mean agreement.
It can mean confusion or doubt.
One day I started ending meetings by asking
everyone to share what they understood and what
(21:31):
questions they had.
The results were eye-opening.
I wasn't being clear enough when I improved
how I communicated goals and expectations.
Team morale and performance went up as well.
Great communication made me a better leader.
Number nine, driving team performance.
At one of my tech firms, we had
(21:54):
teams that couldn't meet deadlines no matter what
we tried.
After candid discussions, we discovered the problem was
no one wanted to admit they were stuck.
Once we create a culture of open communication,
performance soared.
Weekly check-ins and Slack updates kept everyone
aligned.
Clarity turned chaos into cohesion, magical collaboration.
(22:19):
Number 10, facilitating personal growth.
Years ago, I started journaling to cope with
some stress.
What began as a venting outlet became a
growth practice.
Reading my own words helped me to see
patterns in my thinking, recognize my fears, and
find motivation.
Communication with myself became the key to unlocking
(22:39):
greater self-awareness.
Growth starts when we learn to listen to
our own inner dialogue.
I have a question for you, folks.
Do you listen to your inner dialogue or
do you just constantly complain about what's going
on in life?
I mean, I just want to ask you
that question because a lot of people might
not think about that.
But just take some time and think about
that.
Number 11, inspiring change and advocacy.
(23:01):
I once met someone at a networking event
who was passionate about mental health.
He started this blog that gained traction.
Eventually, his writing caught the attention of a
local lawmaker.
One letter he wrote helped pass a bill
for better mental health resources in schools.
One voice communicated clearly can spark change.
(23:21):
You might say, gee, John, what can I
do?
I'm only one voice.
You can do plenty.
Number 12, elevating emotional intelligence.
I used to struggle with reading social cues
until I began watching how emotionally intelligent people
communicated.
They didn't just speak.
They observed.
They paused.
They responded with care.
I practiced their techniques, mirroring, active listening, and
(23:44):
validating others.
Over time, I noticed a shift.
People opened up to me more.
Emotional intelligence is communication and action, in case
you guys didn't know.
Number 13, supporting inclusive environments.
I led a workshop for a large telecommunication
(24:07):
company several years ago.
One employee of theirs shared that it was
his first time, and he felt truly respected
at his work.
Language mattered.
I built this culture of diversity.
No discrimination of race, religion, orientation, creed, color,
political party.
(24:28):
Even the way we wrote our emails or
introduced people can shape whether others feel welcome.
Communication is how we build safe spaces where
people can shine and truly thrive.
Number 14, guys, turn your ideas into meaningful
action.
Now, that's very powerful, but I got to
tell you something.
That's not something that's just going to happen
(24:50):
in five seconds.
Let me be very truthful with you on
that.
Number 14, turn your ideas into meaningful action.
But what do we mean by turning ideas?
Well, it means that you take a stance,
that you actually do something in your life.
Now, I know that sounds like crazy, all
right?
(25:10):
But it's truth.
It's absolutely the truth.
And if something is the truth, then other
people are going to want to know about
it too.
I had an idea a while back for
this summit many years ago, but I kept
it to myself.
(25:30):
Then one day I shared it during a
networking mixer.
Someone overheard and introduced me to a partner
who helped fund it.
That summit became one of our biggest successes.
The idea was powerful, but it was communication
that gave it wings.
I think sometimes we want the car to
go or we want to go to the
next stop, but we don't necessarily know how.
(25:53):
And I want to tell you this tonight.
You don't have to know how.
You just need to have the desire to
go there.
Does it make sense?
I'm hoping it does because when we truly
do, magic happens.
Magic happens.
(26:15):
And if magic happens, how about you?
But I think that's a pretty powerful thing,
right?
When magic happens, do you do something right
away?
Do you wait?
And although that sounds a little bit confusing,
(26:38):
I want to tell you that you have
more power than you think you have.
That's very powerful.
Very, very powerful.
So we're talking this whole week about a
very interesting and a very important topic, which
most people like to hedge or stay away
(27:00):
from.
And that topic, ladies and gentlemen, is how
connection, how purpose and peace can transform our
world.
You might say, G.
John, how can that happen?
When somebody has an understanding of something, they
become very excited and driven to move forward.
(27:22):
I think that is probably the bee's knees,
right?
But maybe you don't understand why something happens.
And I think the reason something happens or
(27:42):
doesn't happen, you know what it is?
It's because of you.
It's because of you.
You're the reason why something happens or doesn't
happen, whether you make a certain move or
whether you don't make the move, right?
(28:07):
I think a lot of people sometimes feel
that they are stuck and they don't know
where to go.
And when people get stuck and frustrated, it's
like they give up sometimes, right?
And why?
(28:34):
Frustrated.
They get frustrated.
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm John Seymour, Early Serial
Entrepreneur.
It's always a privilege, pleasure and honor to
be with you here on the amazing inspirations
of your life.
Thank you so much for supporting me and
watching all my great content.
You know what, ladies and gentlemen, I'm going
to catch you real soon.
Have a fantastic rest of your evening.
All right, everyone, be well.
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