Communicate Powerfully

02/03/2026

What conversation are you avoiding right now?

Avoidance feels easier in the moment…
but it always comes with a cost.

In this month’s blog, we talk about a simple framework to help you step into the conversations that matter.

Because avoiding it doesn’t make it disappear.
It just makes it more expensive.

Let me ask you something. What’s the conversation you’ve been avoiding?

01/02/2026

Every conversation you have either builds connection or creates distance, even when you don’t mean it to.

This month’s blog explores the real difference between intent and impact, and why the way we communicate matters more than we think.

A powerful reminder that small moments can have lasting consequences and opportunities.

As we head back into work, here’s a question worth sitting with: What are you choosing, right now, today - in how you communicate?

05/01/2026

January is that strange space between holidays and “back to it”.
Before we rush into doing more, this month’s blog invites a different starting point: how do you want to be?

A summer reflection on Be. Do. Have. Check it out here:

The world is shouting “New year, new goals!” But our minds and bodies are still in summer mode: sand, salt water, slower mornings, long lunches, and the occasional bevvy on the deck.

08/12/2025

This is Raghu.
Quiet. Kind. Analytical.
The guy who used to slip into Communicate Powerfully sessions like a gentle whisper.

He joined the programme wanting one thing: To feel more confident connecting with people at work. No big “fix me” story. Just a shy human wanting to stretch.

Halfway through the course he pulled me aside and said, “I won’t be at the final celebration… I’m getting married.” (In India, a massive, beautiful celebration.)

But here’s the part that floored me.

During the course, Raghu started opening up.
Sharing more of himself.
Letting people in, in our workshops and in his team.
Trusting - even when it felt awkward and vulnerable.

And because of that?

Seven of his teammates - who barely knew the real Raghu at the start of the year - booked flights, took leave, and travelled to India to celebrate his wedding with him.

Seven. Humans. Who chose connection.
Who showed up for their mate. Because he showed up to them first.

This is why we do this work. This is why Communicate Powerfully exists.
Not for “better meetings” or “less misunderstanding” (though those are great).

But for moments like this - when someone finds the courage to be seen…and discovers they were supported all along.

Proud of you, Raghu Purelli!
And proud of every organisation who gives their people the chance to grow not just as professionals, but as bloody good humans.

If you want this kind of transformation in your team in 2026 - let’s talk.
Because this stuff?
It’s farking excellent. And it changes lives. Get in touch at www.communicatepowerfully.com

And I don't do it alone - biggy ups to Communicate Powerfully licensed trainers: Cotter, Karyn Annan Townsend CMgr, Jackson

30/11/2025

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is simply accept a compliment.
But a compliment is a gift - you don’t have to give it back.

Next time someone acknowledges you, try this tiny shift:
Just say “thank you.”

It’s simple. It’s powerful. And it lands deeper than you think.

When someone offers you a compliment, most of us try to hand it back.We deflect. We downplay. We explain it away.But what if a compliment is actually a gift?...

30/11/2025

This month’s newsletter is a big ol’ love letter to… listening.

We live in a world where EVERYONE has something to say.
Meetings, group chats, family BBQs, opinions flying everywhere.

And as the old saying goes… opinions are like a-holes 🤪 everyone’s got one.

Scroll your feed, sit through a meeting, or wander into a family BBQ and you’ll find no shortage of opinions.

09/11/2025

Love this from Brène Brown - Above and Below the Line. We use this simple (but not easy) concept in our work around communication. The power is in recognising where you're hanging out, because your communication will follow. Being Below the line is not bad, its human...just not very useful if you're wanting people to care and feel supported and motivated. Above the line communication is much more useful. Through awareness and practice you can choose where your words come from.

How do you move from Below the line to Above when you've noticed that's where you are? At work, or at home?

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPmJw0pFc4E/?igsh=cGk4cnhqem8wb3N4

30/10/2025

You’ve got 3 milliseconds.

That’s how fast someone’s brain decides if you’re friend or foe before you’ve even said a word.

In this month’s blog we dive into that tiny window and how showing up, your posture, tone, pace, and energy makes all the difference.

Check out the blog to learn more.

Did you know your brain takes just three milliseconds to decide if someone is friend or foe?

22/10/2025

"Carly, we need you to come work with our People. Our women are too emotional. Our men are not emotional enough."

😲 True story.

And it was a fascinating conversation that followed that show-stopper of a statement.

❓️So, what have you ever been told about emotions?
😳 They're weak and unprofessional?
🤐 They have no place in the workplace?
😬 Get a concrete pill and harden up?

Me too.

🌟 Here's the kick in the pants - Emotions are Information. That's it. What you do with those emotions, the behaviour that follows...well, that's going to be useful, or un-useful depending on what you're wanting to achieve.

🧠 I get asked this all the time - What does Emotional Intelligence have to do with Communicating Powerfully? Everything.

Love this by Dr Susan David.

Psychologist Susan David shares how the way we deal with our emotions shapes everything that matters: our actions, careers, relationships, health and happiness. In this deeply moving, humorous and potentially life-changing talk, she challenges a culture that prizes positivity over emotional truth an...

12/10/2025

What happens for you when you get put on the spot to introduce yourself?

Think the big cheese in the room doesn’t struggle too?
Errrrahhh (buzzer noise!) — nope. Most of us have that split second of “Oh my god, what do I say that sounds good?”

Five leaders from the kiwifruit industry came in to work on exactly that. Brilliant, experienced, respected — but the moment they had to speak about themselves? That first intro, total overthink mode.

One said, “I put a lot of pressure on myself to get it right, fast.”
Another confessed, “I look confident on the outside, but inside I’m way over thinking it.”

Their fear wasn’t lack of skill — it was looking less capable than they are, or worse, stuffing up in front of people they respect.

In a 4-hour Communicate Powerfully workshop, we ditched the pressure and went for structure + self-belief. Once they saw how to align their strengths with what their audience actually needed, it just… clicked.

One grinned and said, “I just needed a framework to lean on.”
From there, nervous intros turned into lively, funny, real conversations.

By the end, they weren’t “performing confidence” — they owned it.
“I love that I have a structure to fall back on but it still feels like me.”

If that sounds familiar, imagine what might shift for you when “getting it right” turns into “getting real.” Because that’s where conversations start to matter — even in those very first moments of an introduction.

01/10/2025

Ever notice your mood drop out of nowhere? Those sneaky ANTs (Automatic Negative Thoughts, a term by Dr Daniel Amen) might be running the show.

This month’s blog is all about spotting them, pausing before they take over, and turning tricky conversations into meaningful ones.

Ever notice your mood drop out of nowhere? One minute you’re fine, the next you’re irritated, frustrated, or worried, and you don’t know why?

01/10/2025

Who are your champions? 🏆

These are the people who not only listen to your seemingly crazy ideas, but ask "How can I help?"

They ask questions, offer suggestions, give honest feedback - I'm grateful to have these people as my cheersquad.📣

In 2022, we were camping with this group of gorgeous humans and I said "I've got an idea for a game...wanna play?" I then bring out a camping bowl with all kinds of questions on ripped up pieces of paper and thanks to their encouragement and the talents of my amazing brother Mark Glenn, who did all the design - "Below the Surface" was born.

Heading into three years on, I use as a tool in my business, I use it when conference speaking and in workshops. I've not spent a cent on marketing it 😬 and I now get emails and DMs saying..
🕑 'My husband and I were up til 4am playing your game. We love it.'
🫶 'We play a round before our weekly team meeting. Now everyone comes into the office, rather than joining online because they want to spend time together.'
And many others. It's a bloody good feeling. ☺️

🗣 Shout out time. Who are your Champions and Cheersquad? The people who believed in you, before you believed in yourself.

Want to find out more about diving in to Below the Surface? You'll find it here www.belowthesurfacegame.com
Enjoy, and keep me posted

Delve into the depths of communication and self-exploration with Below The Surface, a game designed to foster genuine connections and enrich interactions.