Impactful Communication: Kate Tillotson Of The Beacon Group On 5 Essential Techniques for Becoming an Effective Communicator
An Interview With Athalia Monae
Lead With Impact, Not Intro: Effective communicators don’t build up to their point — they begin with it. In TV news, we led with the most important, most compelling detail first. Why? Because attention is currency, and you only have seconds to earn it. Whether you’re delivering a keynote or sending an email, start strong. Say something worth listening to right away.
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 Kate Tillotson.
Kate Tillotson is an award-winning TV journalist and public relations strategist with more than two decades of experience shaping stories that inform, influence, and inspire. As principal of The Beacon Group, she helps senior leaders communicate with clarity and confidence in high-stakes moments. Before launching her firm, she led media relations strategy at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association where she launched and led the organization’s first national media training program for 900 U.S. members. Previously, Kate spent 15 years as a television news anchor and reporter in Montana, Georgia, and Michigan, earning two Emmy nominations and two Associated Press awards for her work.
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 believed that words have power — the power to frame, focus, and fortify a message. From a young age and long before my first byline, I was writing. I filled every spare notebook with stories, poems, and observations, giving voice to my curiosity and imagination. That early fascination led me to a career in broadcast journalism, where I spent nearly two decades anchoring newscasts and reporting from the field. I learned how to distill complexity and connect with audiences under pressure. Over time, I realized the skills I honed on-air could serve others in high-stakes moments of visibility and change — when messaging isn’t just important, it’s defining. Coaching then became my calling — helping leaders transform nerves, noise, and narrative chaos into commanding presence. That’s why I launched The Beacon Group: to turn smart executives into standout communicators. Because today, attention is currency — and words are how you build equity or burn through it.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
One of the most unforgettable moments of my career happened while I was on vacation. I was home in New England for a few days of rest when the bombs went off near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. In an instant, my time off turned into a breaking news assignment. Within hours, I linked up with a CBS News live truck, coordinated with the network crew, and raced toward the scene — navigating streets I knew well from my college days. The air was tense, the emotion was raw, and the responsibility was enormous. I found myself in the runners’ hotel lobby, gathering as many details as I could. Not long after, I was live on the air. That day taught me everything I now teach others: when pressure is high, the most effective communicators aren’t the loudest — they’re the clearest. People don’t just need the facts — they need to feel grounded. And in the noise of crisis, trust travels through tone, precision, and presence.
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, clarity, and composure are the three traits that have shaped my path — not just as a journalist, but as a founder and communications strategist.
Curiosity is what started it all. I had never lived outside Massachusetts until I was twenty-one. But my curiosity about people, places, and stories far beyond my New England bubble pushed me to leap into the unknown. I began my TV news career as a backpack journalist in northwest Montana, where I carried my own gear, shot my own footage, and reported solo from some of the most breathtaking — and remote — corners of the state, including Glacier National Park. That same curiosity took me next to Augusta, Georgia, where I covered the Masters Tournament live and gained a crash course in Southern culture and charm. Then I landed in West Michigan, a region defined by freshwater coastlines, Dutch heritage, and industrial grit. I said yes to places I knew nothing about because I wanted to understand them.
Clarity became my north star in a world built on noise. In local TV news, we were given just ninety seconds to tell a story — from intro to close. Ninety seconds to introduce a subject, unpack the facts, interview key voices, and deliver a meaningful takeaway on air. So, I had to learn quickly how to write tight, speak with intention, and eliminate every word that didn’t serve the story. Today, that discipline is the foundation of my work with executives. When you only have a few minutes — or seconds — to make an impression, clarity is your shortcut to influence.
Composure has been one of the most valuable assets in my career. I’ve learned that staying steady is what separates professionals from passengers — especially when the mic cuts out, the lights flicker, or the video feed drops. In a media training room with thirty participants, I’m often toggling between mock interviews, real-time critiques, and spontaneous coaching moments. It’s a balancing act, and composure is the throughline. That ability to stay calm, composed, and in control has not only earned the trust of my clients and colleagues, but it’s also been a key driver of my success.
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 makes it look effortless, but it’s anything but. They’re part translator, part tactician — able to take a maze of information, emotion, or tension and turn it into a single, sharp message that moves people. They don’t waste words, they don’t wander, and they don’t make you work to understand them. They’re clear without being clinical and confident without being scripted. They bring energy without theatrics and authority without arrogance. They can handle curveballs, cut through complexity, and keep people leaning in. They understand timing, tone, and delivery — and they use silence strategically. They speak with people, not at them. And when the pressure builds, they don’t fold — they focus. They don’t need a slide deck to back them up. They don’t need applause. They just need a minute — and in that minute, they’ll make you listen, care, and remember. Whether it’s a boardroom or a podcast mic, their message lands because they make it feel real, relevant, and human. Their communication leaves people thinking, “That stuck with me.”
How can one tailor their communication style to different audiences or situations?
Tailoring your communication starts with dropping the assumption that one style fits all. What works in a boardroom won’t always work on the factory floor. What hits on a podcast might fall flat in a press briefing. The best communicators adjust — not who they are — but how they deliver. They scan the room. They ask, “What does this audience care about? What do they need from me right now?” For example, let’s say you need to address employee burnout or overload. To senior management, you might say: “Productivity is high, but energy is low. If we don’t invest in the people behind the work, the work will break.” But to the team, that same message might sound more like: “I know you’re stretched. You’ve been carrying a lot. Let’s talk about what’s sustainable and what’s not.” Same message, different delivery. The most effective communicators aren’t locked into one gear. They know how to shift — smoothly, naturally, and with intention.
Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt your communication style to reach a particular audience successfully?
I once performed on-camera coaching for two energy CEOs in the same week — one shy and nervous, the other extroverted and expressive. Both were struggling with filler words, which chipped away at their authority. For the quieter executive, I leaned into encouragement: “You have a thoughtful presence. Don’t undermine it with unnecessary ‘ums.’ Let the stillness between sentences do some of the talking.” For the more high-octane CEO, I matched her tempo and said, “You’ve got a voice that grabs attention. Now tighten it up so your audience doesn’t have to sift through clutter to find the gold.” Same feedback, delivered in two ways. That’s the difference between critique and connection.
How do you handle difficult or sensitive conversations while maintaining open and effective communication?
The first rule is this: don’t dance around the discomfort. People can feel when you’re sugarcoating or spinning, and nothing shuts down communication faster than insincerity. When I’m navigating a sensitive conversation, I try to create enough space for both clarity and grace to exist. I’ve learned that if you lead with composure, people will usually meet you there. But if you come in defensive or evasive, the wall goes up. What makes communication work in hard moments isn’t polish — it’s intention. And if the person across from you feels seen and respected, you’re more likely to leave the room with trust intact.
In your experience, how does storytelling play a role in impactful speaking? Why do you think stories are effective in communication?
Storytelling isn’t just a communications tool. It’s a biological trigger. When we hear a compelling story, it lights up multiple areas across the brain and releases oxytocin, the “feel good hormone” that builds trust and connection. That’s why nonprofits use storytelling so effectively in their campaigns. They’re not just sharing information — they’re tapping into emotion. They want you to feel connected to the cause. Because once you do, you’re more likely to act, to give, to remember. In my experience, stories act like mental sticky notes. They’re how we mark moments and messages that matter. You can give someone a list of stats or facts, but unless they feel something, it’s unlikely to stick. Stories are what make messages memorable. That’s the power of great communication. It doesn’t just inform, it imprints.
What are your “5 Essential Techniques for Becoming an Effective Communicator”?
1. Lead With Impact, Not Intro: Effective communicators don’t build up to their point — they begin with it. In TV news, we led with the most important, most compelling detail first. Why? Because attention is currency, and you only have seconds to earn it. Whether you’re delivering a keynote or sending an email, start strong. Say something worth listening to right away.
2. Story First, Facts Second: Stories create stickiness. They give your message a beginning, middle, and end — anchored by emotion, not just information. If you’re explaining a concept, wrap it in a moment: What happened, why did it matter, and what changed? Set the scene, raise the stakes, and make your message feel lived-in. That’s how you move from facts to feeling.
3. Ditch the Jargon: I’ve never had someone say, “Wow that was so complicated — I really loved it.” That’s because the moment your audience has to decode your message, you’ve created friction. The greatest speakers I’ve worked with know how to turn complexity into clarity — that’s intelligence.
4. Flat Voice, Flat Impact: Too many people flatten their delivery in pursuit of professionalism. Delivery is as important as content. If you’re speaking about something urgent, your energy should reflect it. If you’re offering reassurance, your pace and pitch should calm the room. Tone is what tells people whether or not they should believe you. Get it wrong, and the words don’t land.
5. Less Filler, More Firepower: The best messages aren’t written — they’re rewritten. Cut the fluff. Drop the filler words. Read it out loud and trim anything that slows you down. In every medium — on stage, on camera, or on paper — communication isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection. And good communicators don’t say more — they say what matters.
How do you integrate non-verbal cues into your communication? Can you provide an example of its importance?
Non-verbal cues are the unsung heroes of communication. If your words say, “I’m confident,” but your body says, “I’d rather be anywhere else,” the audience will always believe your body. I once coached an energy market analyst whose content was flawless, but his delivery fell flat — arms crossed, eyes down, no vocal variation. The message? Disinterest. Once we opened his posture, brought warmth to his voice, and helped him make purposeful eye contact, everything changed. The same script suddenly landed with impact. That’s the power of non-verbal alignment — when your delivery matches your message, people don’t just hear you, they believe you.
How has digital communication changed the way you convey your messages? Are there any specific challenges or advantages you’ve encountered?
Digital communication has raised the bar for rhythm and resonance. Emails, posts, and texts all demand a different cadence because digital audiences don’t listen, they scan. Today’s attention spans evaporate in seconds, so that means your first line isn’t an introduction — it’s an audition. Remember that you’re competing with distractions, deadlines, and dopamine. There’s no time to warm up. Your first sentence needs to work overtime to spark curiosity and signal value. Anything less gets lost in the scroll.
Public speaking is a common fear. What techniques or strategies do you recommend to manage and overcome stage fright?
Stage fright is completely normal. It’s your brain’s way of protecting you from perceived risk. But the goal isn’t to eliminate nerves; it’s to channel them into something useful. One of the most effective ways to do that is preparation. Not just rereading your slides or memorizing lines but truly internalizing your message. Rehearse out loud, practice standing up, and simulate the environment you’ll be in. Before you speak, focus on breath over butterflies. A few slow, intentional breaths can help anchor your body and slow your heart rate. And remember this: your audience isn’t rooting against you. They want to learn something, feel something, or hear something valuable. When you shift from “Will I mess up?” to “How can I serve them?”, everything gets easier. Nerves may still be there, but they stop running the show.
What additional resources do you recommend for individuals looking to improve communication skills?
If you want to become a better communicator, study performers — not just speakers. TED Talks are a go-to for a reason: the best ones hook you in the first fifteen seconds. Watch closely and ask yourself what worked and why. For something more unexpected but just as instructive, watch stand-up comedy. Seriously. Comedians are masters of timing, connection, and cutting a message down to its sharpest, funniest point. Want a written playbook? Read Smart Brevity. It’s one of the best guides out there for cutting clutter and saying more with less. And don’t underestimate the simplest, most honest feedback tool you have — your phone. Record yourself. Watch it back. Cringe a little. And then get better.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
If I could start a movement, it would normalize rest — not as a luxury or reward for productivity, but as a basic right. We don’t ask our phones to run on 1% battery, so why do we ask it of ourselves? For too long, we’ve equated ambition with overextension. But exhaustion isn’t a badge of honor — it’s a warning sign. I’d champion a culture where people, especially women, feel empowered to unplug, set boundaries, and prioritize rest without guilt. Because no one builds a sustainable life when every day feels like a deadline.
How can our readers further follow you online?
You can follow me on LinkedIn, where I regularly share insights on executive communication, media strategy, and leadership messaging. I also post updates from my firm, The Beacon Group, including speaking engagements and media training tips.
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
Impactful Communication: Kate Tillotson Of The Beacon Group On 5 Essential Techniques for Becoming… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.