Archives for May 2025

Navigating Remote Communication in the Video Era

May 27, 2025 By Tom Mungavan Leave a Comment

How to strengthen connection, avoid digital misfires, and lead effectively in a hybrid world

Remote Team Communication – Issues and Opportunities

Remote work is here to stay—with it comes powerful tools and persistent pitfalls.

In a recent survey of leaders navigating hybrid and remote teams, three recurring challenges emerged:

Loss of personal connection due to over-reliance on digital channels
“E-missiles”—emails or chats that come off as rude, vague, or aggressive, causing unnecessary conflict
The 24/7 trap—blurred boundaries that erode productivity and personal time

While tools like email, Slack, Zoom, and Teams are designed to boost efficiency, they can also amplify misunderstanding, isolation, and fatigue—mainly when used without intention.

Common Communication Frustrations:

Over-copying on emails, flooding inboxes with unnecessary noise.
Poor writing: vague messages, grammar slip-ups, and no clear ask.
Unmuted chaos: background noise in meetings (dogs, dishes, toilets—yes, really).
Agenda-less video calls where no one knows why they’re there or what’s next.
Low-quality tech: choppy video, echoing audio, or awkward delays that kill engagement.
Some people do not turn their camera on during videoconferences.

Best Practices That Work (and Matter More Than Ever):

One timeless truth stands out: Remote communication works best after making a personal connection. Leaders who invest in building rapport in person or virtually create a foundation that makes digital communication far more effective.

Humanize the Experience

Schedule virtual coffee chats that have nothing to do with work. Replicate those “walk to the breakroom” conversations in a structured, informal way.

Be Mindful of the Medium

If a hallway conversation affects your remote team members, loop them in via message, summary, or quick call. Inclusion builds trust.

Build in Connection, Not Just Check-Ins

Don’t let digital communication become purely transactional. Make time for relationship maintenance. Cycle through your team intentionally to keep engagement strong.

Respect Boundaries

Encourage team norms that protect personal time. Silence isn’t laziness—it’s recovery. Sustainable performance depends on it. If you have a wide range of time zone differences, rotate group meeting schedules to spread the inconveniences.

Today’s challenge isn’t just using technology—it’s using it well.

Less Is More… and Smarter!

May 20, 2025 By Tom Mungavan Leave a Comment

One of the hardest communication habits to master—especially for smart, high-achieving professionals—is the art of saying less.

Why? Because deep down, we all want to prove we know what we’re talking about. Even when we have the credentials, the experience, the track record… we still feel the pressure to pack in “just one more point” to make our case.

Sound familiar?

You’re not alone. We’ve been coaching executives for over 35+ years, and I still catch myself doing it. Fun fact: the first draft of Seeing Yourself as Others Do was 724 pages. The final book? 198 pages.

Here’s what we know: more isn’t better. Better is better. Three is better.

In fact, researcher Barry Schwartz found that too much choice can hurt results. When shoppers were offered 24 types of jam, they sampled more, but bought less. With only 6 options, people purchased far more. Too many options overwhelm. The same principle applies when you speak.

So if you’re cramming 10 pounds of brilliance into a 5-pound bag, try these three strategies to tighten up and stand out:

1. Trust that you won’t run out of things to say.
Shorter does sound smarter. Leave space. Pause. You won’t run dry—you’ll only sound more confident.

2. Accept that you’re here for a reason.
You’re in the room because people need what you bring. Let that sink in. Preparation becomes much easier when you’re not trying to “earn” your right to speak whenever you open your mouth.

3. Make it about them, not you.
The more you engage your audience, the more your message will resonate. Invite questions, create dialogue, and let the room breathe. Communication is a two-way street, and some of the best moments happen when you stop talking.

Sleep Is Your Superpower

May 13, 2025 By Tom Mungavan Leave a Comment

Why getting 10 more minutes could be your smartest leadership move. Feeling a little foggy right now? You’re not alone.

Over 50% of American adults are chronically sleep-deprived. One in five has serious sleep issues. Between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m., the average corporate executive is sleep impaired.

Can you relate?

Dr. James Maas of Cornell University found that most Americans effectively pull an all-nighter every week. Think about that: the average professional walks into work every Monday in a state of sleep debt. That’s a leadership liability.

Still, many high achievers wear sleep deprivation like a badge of honor. “I don’t need much sleep,” they say with pride. But here’s the truth: chronic fatigue isn’t a strength—it’s a silent performance killer.

What really happens when you’re underslept?

You lose focus. You become more reactive and less strategic. You may even drift into “microsleeps”—a few seconds of unconsciousness you won’t remember until your head jerks back up in front of your laptop (or worse, on the drive home).

As former President Ronald Reagan joked: “No matter what time it is, wake me—even if it’s in the middle of a Cabinet meeting.”
Funny? Maybe. Helpful for leadership presence? Not so much.

If you want to sharpen your edge, inspire your team, and make better decisions under pressure, start by putting on your own oxygen mask.

Tonight, give yourself an extra 10 minutes of rest. Just 10. It’s a simple act of self-leadership—with compound interest.
Great leaders know that a rested mind is powerful.

You Can Learn Charisma

May 6, 2025 By Tom Mungavan Leave a Comment

Charisma isn’t a mysterious trait you either have or you don’t. It’s not reserved for extroverts, natural performers, or people who love the spotlight.

In fact, studies show that 60% of CEOs are introverts. Many of them aren’t naturally drawn to the public-facing parts of leadership, but they’ve learned how to command the room when it matters.

Because charisma, when understood correctly, is not about dazzling people. It’s about how others experience you. And the good news? That can be shaped with intention.

At Change Masters, we define gracious charisma as the ability to inspire others through the power of your presence, even in the most high-stakes moments. The most effective leaders we’ve coached—whether naturally outgoing or reserved—develop this presence through specific, learnable behaviors.

MIT research breaks charisma into four observable components:
✔️ Perceived warmth
✔️ Perceived strength
✔️ Level of engagement
✔️ Fluidity of thought and speech

Each of these can be improved with awareness and practice.

Charisma comes in many forms. Some leaders radiate warmth and energy. Others project calm confidence with a hint of dry wit. Your version should reflect your personality—and be intentional enough to match the moment.

While charisma alone won’t give you executive presence, it’s a key component. It enhances your ability to connect, influence, and lead with impact. And it’s absolutely within reach.

We’ve seen clients transform their leadership presence by learning to show up more fully and authentically. This doesn’t require changing who you are; it means learning how to make who you are resonate more powerfully in the room.

You don’t need to be “born with it.”
You just need to be coached into it.