Impactful Communication: Jessica Savage Of Dixon Schwabl + Company On 5 Essential Techniques for Becoming an Effective Communicator
An Interview With Athalia Monae
Take an improv class. My first improv class was in high school, where we learned how to get really vulnerable and get on stage together. Improv helps because it builds your mind’s muscle around listening — active listening. You can’t show up unless you’re listening to the person or people you’re on stage with. When you learn how to listen, that gives you the opportunity to learn how to process quickly and contribute.
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 Jessica Savage.
Jessica Savage leads Dixon Schwabl + Company (DS+CO), an independent integrated marketing firm and certified Women Business Enterprise that has been named to Fortune’s Best Workplaces in Advertising & Marketing 18 times. She’s a Certified Digital Marketing Professional who believes in provoking progress through hard work and generosity. Under her leadership, DS+CO has earned consistent trust, with 100% of clients recommending the firm. She inspires others by fusing collaboration, co-creation and curiosity to break down barriers, drive brand growth and make a positive difference. A member of the United Way Women’s Leadership Council and SUNY Geneseo Foundation Board, Jessica grounds her leadership in service to teams, clients and community. She’s deeply committed to helping emerging professionals build networks, advance careers and find their place in the world through brave work, tough conversations and whole-heart leadership.
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’ve always loved writing. My aunt gave me my first journal in ninth grade and it sparked a lifelong passion for expressing ideas through words. In high school, I took journalism and became editor of my yearbook, which fused writing and visual storytelling. Later, at SUNY Geneseo, in a marketing class taught by Dr. Jeff Gutenberg, I was introduced to a video about Kirshenbaum Bond + Partners, an up-and-coming advertising agency located in Tribeca, NY, that was building the Target brand. Now this is back in 1997, Target was just coming into our lives! I knew advertising — the place where creativity and communication intersected — was the industry for me, and I couldn’t wait to earn a chance to start my career there. My first job was at Grey Matter Direct in New York City, followed by my long-term role at DS+CO, where I’ve been for over 23 years.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
Early in my career at Dixon Schwabl + Company, we pitched and won Pluta Cancer Center — at the time, New York State’s only independent cancer treatment center. There, I met a nurse named Kitty who had “hope” tattooed on her wrist, visible to every patient she treated. Her quiet strength and positivity shaped the way I think about human storytelling in marketing — how simple gestures can embody empathy, emotion and purpose in the messages we share. Through our work with Pluta, the notion that brand awareness can have a life-changing impact on people was solidified in my heart. Our work as marketers had purpose. The more people facing a cancer diagnosis who knew about Pluta, the greater our collective ability to support these individuals through their journey, thanks to the exceptional care the center’s team provides. In our work with Pluta, we were fueling human connection and healing, and I can’t say there is anything more fulfilling as a marketer.
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?
Work hard, be nice to people and stay grounded in humility. I learned the value of hard work from my parents. My mom is a registered psychiatric nurse at the VA hospital in our hometown and my father is a welder and volunteer firefighter. They taught me how important it is to treat people — all people — with dignity and respect. I also learned early on that if I wanted something, I’d better work hard to earn it.
As a leader, I learned the value of kindness from an early encounter with Grey Matter Direct’s CEO at the time, George Wiedman. I was in the first year of my career and our organization had moved into new office space. Mr. Wiedman walked the building as we were unpacking and settling into our new space to make sure we had what we needed. As he approached my desk, he knew my name and I couldn’t believe it. That demonstrated to me how leadership begins with making others feel seen.
Finally, I believe humility is a leadership superpower. It’s one that allows me to keep an open mind and heart, to recognize I have something to learn from every person I encounter and to honor my position as a platform for connecting and developing the exceptional talent that I am surrounded by.
Our workforce provokes progress for our clients and each other every day. We are capable of so much together when each individual feels that our contributions matter and that we are valued. My greatest responsibility is to my colleagues in this craft, working to ensure we are driving our business forward, investing in our people, and fueling a highly connected and inspiring culture. I live by the principle of never canceling a one-on-one. During these conversations that I have a minimum of twice a year with every one of our 80 employees, I seek knowledge and insights on how we can do better, remove friction from our workflows and create the most desirable culture together. More importantly, I learn about what motivates and inspires each person individually. To lead people, you have to have affection for them and be willing to learn from them.
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 listens deeply, chooses words intentionally and adapts to their audience. They stay present, ask curious questions and read cues — both verbal and nonverbal — to guide connection. True communication isn’t about dominating a conversation but creating generous space for others to share and feel understood.
How can one tailor their communication style to different audiences or situations?
Preparation is key. Whether at a casual social event or in a high-stakes business setting, anticipating the context and people involved helps you create connections with relevance. For instance, when addressing college students, I adjust tone and examples to meet them where they are — relatable, real and inspiring. At an industry event, I may think of questions related to the opportunities other business leaders are capitalizing on. At a professional networking event, I may plan to practice my three favorite questions that get complete strangers to open up, such as “What was your first job and what do you remember most about it?” “What’s the last concert you’ve gone to?” “What’s something fun you’ve done recently over the weekend that you’d recommend I give a try?”
Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt your communication style to reach a particular audience successfully?
I once presented to a group of CEOs from diverse industries who were considering me for their CEO Performance Group. Initially, I focused on my professional background, thinking they really want to know that I have the business chops to contribute to their group. I walked through my professional background and paused for questions. The first question I was asked was about my family — reminding me they wanted to know the human side, not just the resume. That moment reframed how I show up: People connect with authenticity more than credentials.
How do you handle difficult or sensitive conversations while maintaining open and effective communication?
I draw from Brené Brown’s principle of approaching tough conversations with a “soft front and a strong back.” That means knowing my values while remaining open-hearted. I stay aware of my body’s stress signals, practice breathing, repeat what I’ve heard to ensure clarity, and use pauses to keep the dialogue grounded and constructive. I also practice using strategies I’ve learned from Jefferson Fisher, an attorney who shares practical communication tips online.
In your experience, how does storytelling play a role in impactful speaking? Why do you think stories are effective in communication?
Stories are the universal language of connection. They move people emotionally, spark empathy and turn information into meaning. Whether in marketing or leadership, storytelling humanizes data and creates shared understanding — what logic alone rarely achieves.
When we share stories about ourselves, we create space for relation and understanding. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve listened to stories on moth.com and cried with complete strangers. Stories ignite emotion, intrigue, curiosity, wonder, joy, anger, fear — all of which activate our brains and central nervous systems and, ultimately, get us thinking.
Stories may help us reframe our understanding, open our minds to new ideas and excite us around new possibilities. Stories are like oxygen for our souls.
What are your “5 Essential Techniques for Becoming an Effective Communicator”?
1 . Take an improv class. My first improv class was in high school, where we learned how to get really vulnerable and get on stage together. Improv helps because it builds your mind’s muscle around listening — active listening. You can’t show up unless you’re listening to the person or people you’re on stage with. When you learn how to listen, that gives you the opportunity to learn how to process quickly and contribute.
2 . Learn how to write well. If you can write clearly and concisely, you can learn how to speak clearly and concisely, because it builds the training of language in your mind. Learn how to write across multiple modalities: short form, long form, notes for presentations, etc.
3 . Study people. Study people like you’re an anthropologist. Listen to conversations in the airport, standing in line at the grocery store, at a concert, wherever groups are gathering, and just watch people. Study them and naturally you’ll absorb technique and find you know where you’re magnetized to somebody else’s conversation. Look for body language clues. When you’re studying people, you learn how to pay attention to what the body is signaling and you can adjust your conversation and communication around that.
4 . Create space in conversation for others to share their thoughts, ideas and facts. You do this by practicing how to ask questions, creating curious questions that are open-ended, that give another person the opportunity to share, and then you just listen. Don’t try to share a similar story and jump on words. Just listen. Go deeper. Be as generous in the conversation as possible by asking more and more questions. When you do, you get facts and learn about another person, and then you practice recall later on. The next time you come across that person, you can ask about that thing you learned and then they feel like you heard them, that this person cared about what you had to say. You formed a connection. Connections are the whole premise of business. Business is relationships.
5 . Learn how to talk to strangers everywhere. Look up, look people in the eye, smile. If you see somebody and you notice something that appeals to you in some way, start a conversation. “Hey, I love that quarter-zip you’re wearing. I love that bag. Where’d you get it?” There’s some really safe topics to go for, but learn how to talk to strangers. It can be really uncomfortable, especially for those of us who are more introverted than extroverted. When you learn how to talk to strangers, you can use some tips like those that Alison Woods Brooks writes in her book “Talk.” Replan your topics. Work on the questions that are in your back pocket that you’ll ask. Look for levity. Find ways to bring joy and humor and lightness into a conversation. Practice kindness. Those are Woods’ maxims. I use them every day.
How do you integrate non-verbal cues into your communication? Can you provide an example of its importance?
Body language is critical. I use facial expressions, gestures and eye contact to reinforce or clarify meaning. If I notice confusion on someone’s face, I’ll pause and restate my point — non-verbal cues guide real-time adjustment and empathy. And I always look people in the eye because they can tell us so much. I can see delight, confusion, boredom and joy and can adjust based on what I’m sensing from what I see.
How has digital communication changed the way you convey your messages? Are there any specific challenges or advantages you’ve encountered?
Digital communication forces conciseness but risks losing tone. I use emojis and careful punctuation to convey warmth and clarity while choosing the right medium for the message. Some conversations require the depth of a call or in-person meeting; efficiency can’t replace empathy.
Public speaking is a common fear. What techniques or strategies do you recommend to manage and overcome stage fright?
Acknowledge your nerves out loud — it humanizes you and disarms tension. I remind myself that audiences don’t expect perfection. Early on, I read poetry at a London café; it terrified me, but it taught me courage. Every experience since draws on that moment.
It’s also really important to recognize what you are feeling and use positive self-talk to calm your nerves. I use visualization to frame in my mind how I hope the presentation goes, and I tell myself I’m worthy of the opportunity.
If we want to feel affection from our audiences, we need to start with affection for ourselves. It never hurts to practice in front of a mirror or with a trusted colleague or friend. Get some feedback and refine. Preparation is key.
What additional resources do you recommend for individuals looking to improve communication skills?
Programs like Dale Carnegie or Toastmasters are great for structured skill-building. Improv troupes also help loosen fear and build presence. These spaces turn practice into joy and confidence.
Another great way to build your confidence as a public speaker is by reading out loud to young children — you can do this with your children or volunteer at a public library. If you do have children of your own or relatives, you can volunteer in the classroom. I promise you, the toughest audience you’ll have is a room full of kindergarten or first-grade students. Reading out loud forces you to create theater with your little audience to keep them engaged. The more you practice, the more you can play with your voice, your pace, your tone, your pauses. Use these techniques and skills to translate to other audiences and see what works. There is nothing better than hearing little ones ask you to read another one. I promise.
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. 🙂
The “Look Up and Smile” movement. If everyone made eye contact and smiled at each person they passed, the ripple effect would be immeasurable. Recognition and kindness are small actions that can shift someone’s entire day. I would invite everyone to make people feel seen. Smile at the person you may tend to look away from. That warmth may carry them through another day.
How can our readers further follow you online?
Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-savage-73567616/
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
Impactful Communication: Jessica Savage Of Dixon Schwabl + Company 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.