Why conscious communications?

To understand what something is, sometimes you must first understand what it is not.

I use to be the type of publicist who could do what I was told.

The client would tell the agency the news it planned and often acting as the agency lead, I would do it. Media teams were bigger at this time and more types of news were getting coverage as fewer channels for visibility existed.

Now that has all changed in the age of the content creator and where everyone is effectively a brand. For the last decade working as an independent communications consultant with an entrance to a much larger network, there was a shift that started when I did, which some might call good timing.

I say its effective manifesting.

Clients at some point stopped coming to me to just get their news out and started coming to me as a trusted advisor on what news should even go out. With attention becoming a hot commodity so hot it burns out. attracting it has gotten even harder to do in today’s complex, constantly moving media environment and all my clients take advantage of this service.

I could see what was coming and doubled downed on quality over quantity. In fact, what was happening in the headlines is what had me focus even more on identifying Communications with Linsey’s core values.

A slide from Communications with Linsey defining core values branding process session

In 2020 I had the opportunity to put my communication values to the test when a healthcare client wanted to put out a racially performative, signaling email to customers in response to the tragedy that George Floyd experienced. I refused to participate.

I outlined why and suggested an alternative. The next pay period my monthly retainer wasn’t renewed and my conscious communications practice was redefined shortly afterwards.

Conscious communications is the practice of interacting with intention, awareness and compassion. I take this practice a step further and offer communication that heals if needed, when possible.

What I enjoy most about conscious communication is that it serves as a powerful bridge between my mental state and physical health. The practice has helped me transition from reactive habits to intentional choices. This shift has signal to my body that it is safe, which triggers a cascade of positive biological and physiological effects.

Training in these skills has boosted my overall resilience and mood, creating a feedback loop where healthy communication leads to a healthier physiological state, which in turn makes conscious communication more realistic to maintain because it offers so many amazing benefits. These skills are also trauma-informed, neurodivergent and disability-friendly.

Taking a conscious communications approach is also a more authentic state of being that keeps my nervous system grounded even more possible. I also use many tools, and practices such as the practice of "pausing," which gives me greater access to full list of cognitive capacities like empathy and wise decision-making to name a few.

Have you considered conscious communications? I explore it more in-depth on Substack, join me.

If you are interested in learning about how this approach can benefit your next launch or training session, reach out.