Game 7. Millions watching. And Tyrese Halliburton's secret weapon wasn't his jumpshot.

Before the biggest game of his career, the Indiana Pacers star made one crucial decision: he refused to listen to "poison narratives" from sports media. While everyone else was talking, he was present.

And that presence powered his performance all the way to the NBA Finals - before tearing his achilles.

Here's what hit me: if an elite athlete needs to master communication to perform under pressure, what about the rest of us?

You're communicating 80% of your day—in meetings, with your team, even in your own head. Most people wing it. But communication isn't just talking. It's presentation and presence. Master both, and you don't just get heard—you get results.

Whether you're leading a team through change, navigating a difficult conversation, or building the coalition you need to hit your goals, this skill determines everything. Halliburton proved it on the biggest stage. Now it's your turn.

This is Equal Matters. I'm Rob Hunter, and the door is always open.

http://robhunter.me

Where a conversation can lead you...

Rep. Analise Ortiz canvasses one of the oldest neighborhoods in Phoenix, knocking on doors.

She gets out here often enough to have a callous on her knuckle.

Ortiz just finished her first term in the House and is now running for state Senate.

You'll meet residents and learn what issues matter to them. You'll learn about school vouchers, affordable housing, and the criminal justice system in between knocks.

We also learn what we have in common.

Which gives us something to build on.

Maryvale is seldom covered by media channels. A lower income community judged from a far.

What can we learn by taking a closer look?

Join Rob Hunter as he canvasses Maryvale with Rep. Analise Ortiz. Share this conversation with a friend.

Cheers.

What happens when your identity gets wrapped up in work?

For Erika Diaz it started with a dead squirrel at 14. The more accolades she received, the deeper her attachment to work.

So much so she attended a partial hospitalization program to break the cycle.

Erika takes the veil off mental health by being so personal about her journey.

Especially since she's been thrown another curveball - learning her identity is being challenged in another way.

Erika hosts Honestly, Mental the podcast. Listen here.

Connect with Erika on LinkedIn.