Mastering Verbal Communication in the Digital Age

Anthony Huey, President of Reputation Management, joined our March Risk Control Webinar to discuss the power of verbal communication in the workplace. Reputation Management is one of the nation’s leading communications training and crisis consulting companies.

In his presentation, Huey shared insights into how becoming an effective communicator plays a crucial role in the success of an organization.

Continue reading for an overview of Huey’s presentation.

The Consequences of Unscripted Communication

Effective communication plays a crucial role in organizational success and personal development. Unscripted presentations often lead to undesirable outcomes, including communication breakdowns and missed opportunities.

Huey said that the audience's perception is their reality, and how messages are conveyed—whether through media, social media, or direct interaction—significantly shapes their opinion.

He added that understanding how your audience consumes and internalizes information is essential for effective messaging.

Three Key Principles of Effective Messaging

Huey discussed three key principles that guide impactful communication:

People Remember Only 20-30% of What’s Said

• Focus on delivering clear, memorable highlights.
• Consider how personal branding and first impressions influence perception.

The Rule of 7: Strategic Repetition Matters

• Reinforce your message at least seven times to have it retained by your audience.
• Be intentional about the most critical 20% of the message to increase its impact.

Capturing Audience Attention

• Be aware that 50% of the audience is distracted.
• Use storytelling, engaging delivery, and interactive elements to help maintain focus.

The Power of Verbal Over Written Communication

Verbal communication holds distinct advantages over written communication. Huey said becoming an engaging conversationalist will do the following:

• Build trust and relationships more effectively.
• Reduce misinterpretations compared to emails or text messages.
• Allow for instant feedback, helping speakers adjust their message in real-time.
• Demonstrate investment in conversation, reinforcing credibility and connection.

Developing the “It Factor” in Communication

Huey identified three components that drive the “It Factor” in communication:

Focus on the 20% That Truly Matters

• Strong communicators will emphasize key takeaways that will resonate with their audience.

Control the Non-Verbal Environment

• Body language, room setup, and movement will affect how your message is received.

Overcome Psychological Barriers

• Addressing internal and external barriers will help establish confidence and engagement.

The Future of Communication in an AI-Driven World

In an era dominated by AI-driven writing tools, verbal communication remains a critical differentiator. By prioritizing verbal communication, individuals and organizations can build stronger relationships, clearly convey messages, and foster trust more effectively than written communication alone.

 About the Webinar

This presentation was part of Captive Resources’ Risk Control Webinar Series — regular installments of webinars to educate the group captive members we work with on topics like workplace safety, organizational leadership, and company performance. The thoughts and opinions expressed in these webinars are those of the presenters and do not necessarily reflect Captive Resources’ positions on any of the above topics.