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    Leadership Communication

    Leadership communication is the discipline of articulating the mission and vision, inspiring trust, and motivating people to act. Done well, it positions leaders as credible, authentic, and influential in their fields and advances the mission of the organization.

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    Why it matters
    Organizations often rise or fall on the strength of their leaders’ voices. Yet many leaders face challenges:

    • Translating complex strategy into clear, human language

    • Striking the right tone in times of change or crisis

    • Building a visible presence as a trusted voice inside and outside the organization

    Without intentional leadership communication, even the best ideas risk being overlooked or misunderstood.

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    How I help
    I work directly with executives, Board members, and other senior leaders to sharpen their communication skills and raise their visibility. The process is highly collaborative and respects unique communication styles.

    The work might include:​

    • Executive coaching: Helping leaders communicate effectively and authentically in a variety of situations.

    • Thought leadership: Developing articles, op-eds, speeches, or white papers that establish credibility and advance new ideas.

    • Crisis communication: Coaching leaders to communicate with empathy and authority when stakes are highest and avoid the missteps that erode trust.

    • Change communication: Supporting leaders of transformational change with strategies and language grounded in evidence-based change management approaches.

     

    The result
    Inspiring, influential leaders who communicate with empathy and authenticity to rally stakeholders around the mission, vision, and key initiatives.

    Strategic Planning

    Strategic planning is about gaining consensus on a framework that guides decisions, priority-setting, and resource allocation to strengthen the organization's ability to further its mission. 

     

    Why it matters
    Mission-driven organizations often juggle urgent needs with long-term goals. Without a clear plan, it’s easy to lose focus, miss opportunities, or struggle to align the board, staff, and stakeholders.  

     

    How I help
    I collaborate with leaders, staff, and board members to create a practical plan that reflects the input of all key stakeholders voices and the organization's reality.

    The work might include:

    • Conducting listening sessions and interviews with key stakeholders.

    • Facilitating conversations among the Board and senior leaders to gain consensus on goals and priorities on which to concentrate limited resources.

    • Translating aspirational goals into actionable steps that drive measurable results.

    • Establishing how success will be defined and creating checkpoints to track progress, recalibrate, and adapt to changes.

     

    The result
    An organization aligned around a multi-year plan that is aspirational and achievable, 

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    Messaging & Storytelling

    Every mission-driven organization has a story at its heart. Clear, consistent messaging and persuasive storytelling make that story memorable and real.

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    Why it matters
    Many organizations struggle to:

    • Inspire donors, partners, and community members to take action.

    • Share authentic stories that connect mission to human impact.

    • Distill complex work into language that’s simple and relatable.

    • Differentiate themselves in a crowded landscape.

    Without clarity, consistency and resonance, messages fail to connect with the stakeholders essential to the organization's mission.

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    How I help
    I partner with organizations to articulate the core narrative that ties mission, values, and impact together. The process is collaborative, meant to build skill and capacity among leaders and staff.

    The work might include:​

    • Message development: Creating a tool kit of communication assets to ensure clarity, consistency, and efficiency.

    • Audience-tailored narratives: Adjusting messages for stakeholders such as funders, policymakers, partners, and community members.

    • Organizational story: Capturing the essence of who you are, what you do, and why it matters in language that moves people.

    • Story collection & coaching: Helping staff, volunteers, and clients share authentic stories that demonstrate impact.

     

    The result
    A clear, compelling, and consistent message platform that helps your organization stand out, build trust, and inspire action. 

    Barbara Leary LLC

    PO Box 3311

    Alexandria, VA 22302


    © 2025 Barbara Leary

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