Impactful Communication: Cristina Barvo Of Empower Kids for Life On 5 Essential Techniques for Becoming an Effective Communicator
An Interview With Athalia Monae
Align thoughts, words, and actions. Communication begins with integrity. When what you think, say, and do are consistent, people trust you. If you ask employees or your children to be respectful and kind to each other but slam the door when you’re angry, which example do you think they will follow? It sends mixed messages.
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 Cristina Barvo.
Cristina Barvo is an educator, consultant, and founder of Empower Kids for Life and Leadership at Home. With a background spanning industrial engineering, marketing consulting, and early childhood education, Cristina brings a unique perspective to leadership and communication. She helps parents, educators, and leaders apply strategies rooted in trust, competence, and connection to foster lasting impact in families, classrooms, and organizations.
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?
My career has really been a journey of transformation. Graduating high school, there were so many careers that interested me. I started out in industrial engineering, learning how to design systems and processes. From there, I moved into marketing consulting and discovered the power of communication in shaping behavior. Eventually, I found my calling in early childhood education, where I realized the same principles of systems and communication apply both at home and in schools. Studying early childhood education became a process of self-discovery. It helped me understand my own motivations and thought patterns. The blend of leadership theory and child development became the foundation for Empower Kids for Life and the Leadership at Home program and the book I am currently writing.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
One of my favorite experiences happened in my preschool classroom. We invited children to create autobiographies alongside their self-portraits. To get to know them better, we asked simple questions like, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Remmy, a thoughtful four-year-old, paused for a long time and then said, “I don’t really know. I like myself normal. Like this.” That stuck with me. He understood, even at four, something we often forget: what we do doesn’t define us, even though society tends to say otherwise. That insight continues to guide how I lead my life.
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?
Curiosity. Curiosity has guided every transition in my career, from industrial engineering to marketing consulting to early childhood education. I’ve always been motivated to ask questions, study new fields, and look for connections across disciplines. For example, when I moved into education, I brought systems thinking from engineering and communication strategies from marketing into the classroom. Curiosity kept me learning and allowed me to create new approaches rather than just follow established ones.
Resilience. Being an entrepreneur and changing fields more than once is like signing up for a resilience bootcamp. You walk into spaces where you’re not the expert and have to face self-doubt, steep learning curves, and sometimes setbacks. For me, working as a preschool teacher without having a traditional background in education demanded resilience. Every day I had to adapt, learn, and grow while supporting children and families. The persistence of showing up, even when it was difficult, strengthened my ability to lead in any context.
Connection. Connection has been the most powerful tool at every step of the way. My first client as a Hispanic marketing consultant came not from a formal pitch, but over a dinner conversation with friends and friends of friends. That same dynamic later repeated itself when I launched my leadership programs. Building genuine relationships, being present in conversations, and sharing ideas openly created opportunities that formal networking never could. Connection has been the bridge that allowed each of my transitions to happen successfully.
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?
An effective communicator aligns thoughts, words, and actions. They inspire trust by following through, build competence by believing in others’ abilities, and foster motivation by truly understanding people rather than controlling them. They listen to understand and adapt with empathy.
How can one tailor their communication style to different audiences or situations?
It starts with awareness. Children, parents, and leaders all need different entry points. Understanding your audience’s motivations helps you communicate in a language that resonates. With kids, I rely on stories, presence, and everyday moments. With executives or organizations, I lean on frameworks and systems. The core message, leadership through connection, stays the same. It’s the delivery that shifts. Parents in the Leadership at Home program practice this constantly, adjusting how they communicate with children without losing authenticity.
Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt your communication style to reach a particular audience successfully?
When I work with schools and teachers, I blend theory and academic language with real stories they can instantly relate to. With parents in organizations, I frame those same strategies through leadership principles they already know. The content stays consistent, but the way I deliver it shifts to meet the audience.
How do you handle difficult or sensitive conversations while maintaining open and effective communication?
I try to think about the conversation in advance by seeing the other person’s perspective, so it doesn’t catch me off guard. Then, I stay open to truly listen before responding. Active listening is essential: only when the other person feels heard will they be open to hearing your point of view. That creates space for a constructive dialogue. And I’ll be honest, I’m not always successful. But when I fall short, I go back, repair, and rebuild the connection.
In your experience, how does storytelling play a role in impactful speaking? Why do you think stories are effective in communication?
When you tell stories, people relate. They are motivated to listen because the story feels connected to their own experience. Stories are the key to engagement and learning. They move ideas from abstract to tangible. Research in neuroscience shows that stories activate multiple areas of the brain, making information stick. Brené Brown has written extensively about the power of vulnerability and storytelling in human connection, and Howard Gardner highlighted narrative as a core form of intelligence that helps us make meaning. Cognitive scientists also note that stories provide context, which is what makes them memorable and persuasive.
What are your “5 Essential Techniques for Becoming an Effective Communicator”?
- Align thoughts, words, and actions. Communication begins with integrity. When what you think, say, and do are consistent, people trust you. If you ask employees or your children to be respectful and kind to each other but slam the door when you’re angry, which example do you think they will follow? It sends mixed messages.
- Follow through on what you say. Reliability builds credibility and fosters trust, whether in the home or workplace. If you promise your employees that things are going to change and that change never happens, they will start to question whether what you say is reliable.
- Believe in others’ capabilities. Communicate in ways that convey confidence in people’s skills, rather than micromanaging. When you highlight people’s competence, they feel valued and appreciated, and are more interested in hearing what you have to say than when you only highlight your own accomplishments.
- Listen to know, not just to reply. Understanding someone’s perspective allows you to connect deeply and adapt your message effectively. When solving conflicts, always listen to both sides of the story before addressing any issue. This will give you both perspectives, which will allow you to facilitate communication in meaningful ways.
- Foster internal motivation. Inspire by knowing people’s values and goals, rather than offering external rewards to control behavior. When an employee or a child tells you a story, ask questions about where the original idea came from or highlight interesting aspects of what you heard, instead of saying, “Wow! Good job!”
How do you integrate non-verbal cues into your communication? Can you provide an example of its importance?
Non-verbal communication is just as powerful as words, sometimes more. I focus on eye contact, tone, posture, and even silence as tools to support connection. For example, when working with preschoolers, a calm and open posture often reassures them more effectively than words. Similarly, in conversations with adults, leaning in slightly or pausing to let silence breathe signals respect and attentiveness. Non-verbal cues create safety and trust, which is the foundation of effective communication.
How has digital communication changed the way you convey your messages? Are there any specific challenges or advantages you’ve encountered?
It has enabled me to consult online with parents in New Zealand, France, and Latin America, to name a few. The advantage is the accessibility and ability to connect across time zones and cultures. Digital communication also has expanded my reach, allowing me to connect with parents, educators, and leaders around the world. You can inspire or guide someone in a completely different time zone with a post or video. I pay close attention to clarity, brevity, and warmth in my writing.
Public speaking is a common fear. What techniques or strategies do you recommend to manage and overcome stage fright?
I always arrive early to be familiar with the space. I also remind myself that I don’t have to have all the answers. If a question comes up that I’m not ready for, I can always say, “That’s interesting, I don’t have the answer right now, but I will find out.” This takes the pressure off perfection and keeps me grounded in connection with the audience.
What additional resources do you recommend for individuals looking to improve communication skills?
A few books or articles I recommend are:
- Koopman, Michelle. The Power of Threes: How to Craft a Memorable Message. February 21, 2025.
- Dicks, Matthew. Stories Sell: Storyworthy Strategies to Grow Your Business and Brand. Novato, CA: New World Library, 2024.
- Fryer, Bronwyn, and Robert McKee. “Storytelling That Moves People.” Harvard Business Review 81, no. 6 (June 2003)
These resources highlight the power of simplicity, structure, and storytelling in shaping messages that stick.
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. 🙂
A movement to reframe parenting as leadership. By equipping families with leadership and communication skills, we can raise a generation that leads with trust, competence, and connection from the very beginning. This has the power to create ripple effects, not only in homes, but also in schools, workplaces, and communities worldwide.
How can our readers further follow you online?
You can connect with me through my LinkedIn: Cristina Barvo
Website: www.empowerkidsforlife.com www.liderazgoencasa.com
Instagram: @empowerkidsforlife | @leaderathome | @liderazgoencasa
Facebook: Empower Kids for Life | Leadership at Home
Blog: http://empowerkidsforlife.blogspot.com
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
Impactful Communication: Cristina Barvo Of Empower Kids for Life On 5 Essential Techniques for… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.