Impactful Communication: Quinn Slaven Of The U.S. House of Representatives On 5 Essential Techniques for Becoming an Effective Communicator
An Interview With Athalia Monae
Understanding one’s audience is the foundation of effective communication. It is a prerequisite to selecting the ideal medium and tone for your message. Take the time to identify and understand your key stakeholders. I work across hyper-local, statewide, regional, national, and trade media markets as well as various streaming and social platforms. None are inherently better than the others unless they reach the people I want. In some instances, the medium I need doesn’t involve media outlets whatsoever.
You must also understand their motivations, concerns, and preconceived notions to find common ground and ripe opportunities to land a message.
In an age dominated by digital communication, the power of articulate and effective verbal communication cannot be understated. Whether it’s delivering a keynote address, leading a team meeting, or engaging in a one-on-one conversation, impactful speaking can open doors, inspire change, and create lasting impressions. But what truly sets apart an effective communicator? What techniques and nuances elevate a speech from mundane to memorable? As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Quinn Slaven.
Quinn Slaven spent nearly 6 years organizing grassroots campaigns, serving as a spokesperson, and media training top executives before being pulled to run the communications operations for a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee. During his tenure on Capitol Hill, Quinn worked under a member of Congressional Leadership and has most recently taken on the challenge of growing a freshman office communications shop from scratch.
His public relations work on behalf of clients has appeared in Politico, CNBC, Fox News, Fox Business, Punchbowl News, Bloomberg, Reuters, New York Post, Nasdaq, American Banker, Les Echos, Tech Crunch, Yahoo! Finance, Roll Call, The Hill, Raleigh News & Observer, and more.
His freelance journalism has appeared in Sports Illustrated, Miami Herald, The Charlotte Observer, Kansas City Star, Lexington Herald-Leader, The Sacramento Bee, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The News & Observer, The State, Wichita Eagle, The Island Packet, Fresno Bee, Idaho Statesman, Tacoma News Tribune, Bradenton Herald, Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, San Luis Obispo Tribune, The Modesto Bee, Centre Daily Times, Belleville News-Democrat, Sun Herald, The Sun News, Rock Hill Herald, The Olympian, NewsBreak, The Bellingham Herald, The Telegraph (Macon), Tri-City Herald, Merced Sun-Star, The Simpsonian, and BVM Sports.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about communication, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
I always felt a pull toward politics and service. Early on, I cut my teeth on campaigns while studying political science in school, but I didn’t feel like I was developing the tangible, well-rounded skills I’d needed to stand out as a professional. I began to study journalism and PR and quickly fell in love with writing.
Torn between journalism and politics, I found a happy medium in private sector communications. I was working with journalists every day and still got out on the road for some old-fashioned campaigning. I was making good money and enjoying the work, but I still felt like I needed to do more with these crucial early years of my career.
In competitive fields, you need something to differentiate you from the crowd. Many go back to school for a masters, but I had the bright idea to instead take a pay cut and work longer hours for the government. Capitol Hill has been my own grad school of sorts, and I truly feel it’s an unmatched environment. There are few places where you work with such volume and wide-ranging issues, crises, personalities, you name it. Best of all, you get the satisfying opportunity to serve your country.
It’s been a fun ride so far, but I never could have predicted this path. Often, you only see the connections in hindsight, which makes it much more important to take risks and make the most of each opportunity. You never know how far it will lead you.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
My most memorable work experiences tend to involve crisis communications and rapid response. These quick-turn, high-staking situations teach you a lot about yourself. Having strong nerves and showing grace under pressure is surprisingly uncommon even among seasoned communications professionals.
I’ve had several late nights manning rapid response during debates, major events, and unexpected turmoil. While I can’t get into the details, these nights helped me hone my skills and recognize the value of well-rounded communications beyond the day-to-day blocking and tackling.
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
I’ve always kept an eye out for opportunities as they emerge. And I don’t mean new jobs. Across my day-to-day work, both in the private sector and with the government, I’ve sought to pursue challenges that would help me grow and earn credibility within my organization. I took on many of these challenges before I knew if I could handle them. I believe we as people have an incredible ability to adapt as long as we’re willing to exist outside our comfort zone. I encourage all professionals to do the difficult stuff just because. Look for ways to add value, creatively solve problems, and punch above your weight to help others. It tends to yield great results.
I also believe in the value of competition. A lot of people are uncomfortable with the risk of losing and thus shy away from a chance to win. Good. Embrace the pressure and commit yourself to outlasting others. This works best when you work in an environment focused on fostering healthy competition. It doesn’t have to get nasty, as many assume it will. Respecting opponents and understanding that iron sharpens iron is a testament to maturity.
Care about people first. There is a time and place for disagreements and punitive action, but approaching each individual with empathy, not necessarily sympathy, is a great rule by which to live.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Let’s begin with a basic definition so that we are all on the same page. How would you define an “Effective Communicator?” What are the characteristics of an effective communicator?
Your goals determine and define effective communication. Whether you seek to teach, entertain, or change opinions, you’ve communicated effectively once your desired audience receives, understands, and appreciates your message.
How can one tailor their communication style to different audiences or situations?
Politicians often catch flack for changing their communication style too much depending on their crowd of the day. The best communicators find genuine commonalities with their audience and acknowledge when few exist.
You can win being different but not disingenuous.
Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt your communication style to reach a particular audience successfully?
Early in my public affairs career, I focused on building grassroots campaigns and coalitions. I remember attending an early breakfast conference where I was the youngest person by at least 45 years. However, my target audience was seniors over the age of 65.
I knew off the bat they saw me as young, likely brash, and probably naïve as all hell. Sitting at a table of fine older folks, every sentence out of my mouth was a question. I asked about their experience and genuinely sought to learn from them. Not until we’d shared a few laughs did I even begin to talk about myself or my cause.
Messages fall flat without trust and connection.
How do you handle difficult or sensitive conversations while maintaining open and effective communication?
Establish boundaries. What are you willing and/or able to discuss? Tense conversations tend to wander and succumb to emotional appeals, so set the parameters of the conversation early and stick to them.
In your experience, how does storytelling play a role in impactful speaking? Why do you think stories are effective in communication?
People remember stories. Prior to advances in record keeping, people recorded history through spoken stories, and parables remain a common means of passing along values and demonstrating more nuanced truths and beliefs.
Simply put, communicating your message through storytelling is all about retention. The goals I mentioned earlier — teaching, entertaining, changing opinions, etcetera — double as techniques. For example, work entertainment into your teaching to make it more effective.
What are your “5 Essential Techniques for Becoming an Effective Communicator”? If you can, please share a story or an example for each.
1. Understanding one’s audience is the foundation of effective communication.
It is a prerequisite to selecting the ideal medium and tone for your message. Take the time to identify and understand your key stakeholders. I work across hyper-local, statewide, regional, national, and trade media markets as well as various streaming and social platforms. None are inherently better than the others unless they reach the people I want. In some instances, the medium I need doesn’t involve media outlets whatsoever.
You must also understand their motivations, concerns, and preconceived notions to find common ground and ripe opportunities to land a message.
2. Ironically, to communicate effectively you must know when to shut up.
We spend somewhere around 16 years in school writing 15-page minimum essays and delivering 10-minute minimum speeches only to enter the working world and learn the elevator pitch is still king. Humans have remarkably short attention spans and failing to cut to the chase allows their minds to wander.
When giving a speech, if you drone on too long, you’ll start to see the crowd dwindle. Those politely staying put will start to wonder about lunch or whether that spot on your nose is melanoma or a zit.
In interviews, failing to get to the point waste critical seconds and focus of both the reporter and audience.
For long-winded clients, I encourage them to set “milestone phrases.” These talking points do more than make for great soundbites. They signal you’ve said the important part and it’s time to stop talking.
3. Seek feedback
In communications, we covet engagement above reach because it represents focus and an absorbed message as opposed to surface-level exposure.
Seeking feedback from one’s audience both keeps their focus and serves as a measuring stick. How are they responding? Did they get the point at all? If you’re not getting the ideal feedback, rethink your approach accordingly until responses meet your target.
4. Eliminate “ums” “ahs” and “likes” which chip away at perceived confidence and authority.
This one is the easiest to practice because you don’t need a podium or massive audience. Next time you call up an old friend, make note of every time you say — or feel the urge to say — one of these dreadful fillers. You’ll likely find them more prevalent than you’d prefer.
Each time one creeps up, replace it with a brief pause or take a breath. Soon, you’ll naturally eliminate them without drawing focus from your thoughts and message.
5. Create a two-dimensional approach to your message and goal.
Broadly speaking, communicators seek to teach, argue, or entertain, but these buckets can also serve as useful tools. Think of it as added value. Adding a dash of entertainment to an educational lecture keeps the audience engaged. Teaching while arguing creates an inviting off-ramp to join your side.
Binding yourself in a one-dimensional approach almost always loses momentum and the focus of your audience.
How do you integrate non-verbal cues into your communication? Can you provide an example of its importance?
Posture and hand gestures, or lack thereof, can certainly convey a message of their own, but you don’t have to be extremely animated to deliver a point. I always prioritize authenticity.
Often, the more you practice looking poised, the more you look stiff and robotic. We’ve also all encountered pushy sales reps who seem personable but untrustworthy. Focus first on understanding your audience and what they value before attempting to polish up your eye-contact and gestures.
How has digital communication changed the way you convey your messages? Are there any specific challenges or advantages you’ve encountered?
Digital communication has sped up the process of news making and narrative forming. Using X is no longer optional for effective communications professionals. Ensure you’re following reporters, outlets, and thought leaders relevant to your space and monitor regularly to keep tabs on the latest trends and stories.
Being among the first to comment on breaking news increases the likelihood of visibility but also increases risk as there is pressure to make a statement before all the details come into frame.
Digital communication, both public and private, also serves as its own form of record-keeping — an important reminder to anyone firing off opinions before giving them deserving consideration.
Public speaking is a common fear. What techniques or strategies do you recommend to manage and overcome stage fright?
Eye contact is both the best and worst part of public speaking. Yes, we all know you need to look up from your notes to develop a connection, but several pairs of staring eyes can be daunting.
I like to establish my “home bases.” These are people I know, or feel are actively engaged in what I have to say. It only takes two people on opposite sides of the audience, whom you can rotate between, to give the illusion of solid eye contact with the entire crowd. Suddenly, in your head, you’re speaking to just two friends rather than countless judging faces.
What additional resources do you recommend for individuals looking to improve communication skills?
Networking remains critical to career growth. Similar to public speaking, I often encounter people terrified of approaching strangers at receptions. They wish someone else would come up to them and start the conversation. Be that person! It’s why everyone is there. I’ve never had a negative interaction approaching a cocktail table of one or more people and saying something as simple as, “You all look like good people to know.”
Next time you attend a happy hour, set a goal for yourself. You’re not leaving until you get let’s say five business cards or contacts. Will these new associates yield any career growth? Maybe, maybe not, but the practice of speaking to strangers is one of the rarest and most valuable skills in today’s working world.
The same can apply to phone calls. I got my start in politics volunteering on campaigns. After enough phone banks with completely random people, you develop a thick skin and an ability to chit chat with anyone.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I’ve always wished for more respectful discourse in our society. Attempting to understand others’ motivations, whether you agree or not, and removing knee-jerk emotions from complex debates would cure a lot of hate and division in our world.
How can our readers further follow you online?
I am on X at @Qslaven1 and LinkedIn as Quinn Slaven.
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
Impactful Communication: Quinn Slaven Of The US House of Representatives On 5 Essential Techniques was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.