What’s the most effective way to communicate our big ideas and share them with clarity?

On today’s episode we’re joined by sought-after message designer and speaker Tamsen Webster. Tamsen helps organizations (including Johnson & Johnson and Harvard Medical School) craft meaningful messages that inspire long-lasting change. She reveals to us the importance of messaging and the secrets to creating impactful messages that spark action.

Topics discussed in this episode include:

• Why Tamsen describes herself as a situational extrovert and how it influences her work.
• The odd pattern that plays out with many of Tamsen’s clients.
• What Gall’s Law is and how it relates to each individual’s perspective.
• What the “curse of knowledge” says and how it impacts the way we share our ideas.
• Why explaining our multi-dimensional ideas is difficult (and is not a personal failing).
• What Tamsen had to unlearn about her own voice to put herself on stage.
• Why you can’t perfect your ideas on paper.
• Seeing feedback as a gift, and how to frame failure as a part of learning.
• What it means to strategically design internally motivated action.
• How to apply the Overton window to the strategy of expanding ideas.
• Tamsen’s take on the high occurrence of failure in strategic change.
• Why logical and simple frameworks are your friend when crafting messaging.
• The framework Tamsen is working on now and how it supports message creation.

Tamsen’s website: https://tamsenwebster.com

The Art of Strategy: https://www.theartofstrategy.ca

Alison on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisongeskin

Why is honest storytelling so important, and how does it intertwine with history?

Our guest today is A'Lelia Bundles, a journalist, author, historian, and more. A'Lelia fell in love with writing at a young age, quickly realizing the power and potential for impact in weaving a story. A'Lelia opens up in our conversarion about the most significant moments in her career, the lessons she’s still realizing today, and the role storytelling has played throughout her life.

Topics discussed in this episode include:

• The throughline that connects the various chapters of A’Lelia’s life together.
• Her parents’ encouragement to do what she loves and why it made a difference.
• What it was like being a female journalist when it was much less common.
• The doors other women had to open so A'Lelia could walk through them.
• How an experience at graduate school inspired her to share her family’s story.
• Why empowering others is so critical in leadership and what that actually looks like.
• The gifts her mother and father shared with others and the ripple effect it had.
• Why she doesn’t 100% approve of the production created about Madam C.J. Walker.
• Her new book, The Joy Goddess, and what it’s all about.
• How joy rises out of difficulty and pain, and how that has played out in history.
• What A'Lelia hopes people are paying attention to and working on now.

A’Lelia’s website: https://aleliabundles.com

A’Lelia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aleliabundles

The Art of Strategy: https://www.theartofstrategy.ca

Alison on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisongeskin

What’s the secret to bringing a jewellery brand with such small beginnings to be this impactful?

Today we are joined by Rachel Mielke, the Founder of Saskatchewan-based jewellery company Hillberg & Berk. Rachel’s experience of entrepreneurship has been all about taking risks, from taking her business full-time to appearing on Dragons’ Den. But perhaps even more importantly, her journey has been about connection, and that’s been her secret to successfully utilizing the support and community she already had.

Topics discussed in this episode include:

• What it was like for Rachel to launch a brand from her kitchen table.
• The catalyst that led to her truly seeing the potential in her business.
• Her experience on Dragons’ Den and the moment she got lucky on the show.
• The promotional event that led to a flop—and how it led to her best pivot ever.
• How she leaned into a strategy of building relationships in order to scale.
• Why she says success is 100% the team you build around you.
• Her secret to finding those people who are the right fit for the business.
• The values that have shaped how she shows up as a leader.
• Why it’s important to leave your ego behind when you’re building a team.
• How balancing work and motherhood doesn’t get easier (but it’s worth it).
• How building a stable business earns you the right to say “no” more often.
• Why she is excited for the next generation and how they view the world.
• What Rachel sees next for her business and her brand almost two decades in.

Hillberg & Berk: https://wwwhillbergandberk.com

Rachel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelmielke101

The Art of Strategy: https://www.theartofstrategy.ca

Alison on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisongeskin