Impactful Communication: Tiffany Joy Murchison On 5 Essential Techniques for Becoming an Effective Communicator
An Interview With Athalia Monae
Always seek to understand useful information, and sometimes what you consider useless, to connect with different audiences and communicate effectively. It is crucial to have a broad understanding of what is happening in the world and what is essential to others.
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 Tiffany Joy Murchison.
Tiffany Joy Murchison is a consummate communications professional and an influential entrepreneur leading a Brooklyn, NY-based boutique public relations firm. As the founder and principal public relations strategist for TJM & Co. Media Boutique, Tiffany Joy leads a team in empowering brands to flourish by exposing them to ideal audiences through fully integrated, purpose-focused, public relations and digital marketing strategies. Tiffany Joy’s professional experience spans several industries, from communications, technology, and financial services to publishing and entertainment. She also has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit board management. In 2019, TJ published her first e-book, P.R.Y Until…The small business owner’s guide to DIY public relations until you’re ready to hire a pro. A second edition, which discusses managing reputation during social unrest and a health pandemic, was published in 2020.
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 was born a communicator. My parents said that I talked before I could walk. And all my report cards said that I did my work, but I talked too much in class. I was inquisitive and loved writing from an early age. And I’ve always been the type to speak up for somebody else, and I often found myself speaking for others who couldn’t express themselves.
I took several journalism and communications classes in college and worked for a hip-hop magazine after I graduated. I could have had a degree in journalism, but I chose to pursue what I thought would guarantee me a stable job. At the time, I didn’t think I could make a good living with a communications degree, so public administration was my concentration.
Once I entered the workforce, communication was always a part of each assignment. As I moved up the ranks, I didn’t have comms-centric titles, but every role required me to communicate with people, whether orally or in writing. Managing relationships was also always a part of my responsibility, whether sitting labor grievances with the union or writing postmortems for service outages when I was with what is now Verizon. I also had many “stretch assignments” focused on communication and relationship management.
At some point, I realized that PR was all about communicating and managing relationships. So, after being laid off three times in six years, I made a career change. I always say that God kicked me out of corporate America three times before I would listen. The last time I left Corporate America, I promised myself that I would do what I loved to do, and that’s where I am now.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
One of the most interesting stories since I started a career in PR was when I interned for a well-known publicist in Brooklyn. One of my assignments was transcribing an article for a magazine that featured an interview with a prominent black businessman who was involved in urban fashion and had become an author. One of the questions asked was, “To what do you attribute your success?” We did a mock interview, and I asked him the questions, transcribing them by hand. He replied, “My relationship.” Being a Christian, I knew what he meant, but I wanted to confirm, so I asked, “Your relationship with God?” He replied with a “Yes,” and I began to probe him about that relationship and why he attributed it to his success. However, the publicist I worked for at the time squelched that conversation. She wanted to avoid taking it in that direction. At the start of my career, this incident taught me that there were not enough of us in the profession who allowed clients to be honest, especially regarding their faith. That was so important coming from him, especially because many young people and older people in the hip-hop and fashion community looked up to him. This experience shaped how I manage my clients and built my business since starting TJM and Co.
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?
Discipline, thick skin, and a positive attitude are the three character traits that I find essential for success. One lesson in discipline I learned was while attending women in a media conference in Chicago. The entire panel of successful women had one thing in common — a morning routine to set the tone for the day that they refused to defer from. I now have a morning routine that I follow every day. Even though PR sometimes requires me to be reactive, I carry that discipline throughout the day. Being an early riser helps me stick to my morning routine before starting a nine o’clock workday.
There is a saying — if you don’t want to be talked about, lied about, or hated on, don’t be a leader. As a leader, thick skin is a must. You will face setbacks and criticism. You must be prepared to deal with circumstances that aren’t ideal at times. I learned to have thick skin, be resilient, and keep going despite tough times.
Lastly, maintaining a positive attitude and optimism has helped me build a successful business. I am a “glass-half-full” kinda girl. And even if the glass is empty, at least I have a glass to fill, and that’s still a great place to start.
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?
Effective communicators make informed decisions that lead to balanced dialogue, conveying an impactful message that evokes understanding without letting emotions get in the way.
An effective communicator listens well, shows empathy, knows when not to communicate (when to be quiet), is a learner, and is honest. They know how to read the room and study their audience, even if just in the moment.
How can one tailor their communication style to different audiences or situations?
In order to effectively communicate with different audiences or in various situations, it is important to tailor your communication style. This requires researching your audience and paying attention to the current social climate. You should be aware of what is important to different groups and what might offend them, whether due to historical or current social issues. It is also crucial to consider perspectives that differ from your own.
Once you have done your research, respect your findings and use them to take the steps to communicate effectively. For instance, if a particular population dislikes being called a “target audience” due to past traumas associated with that word, you should respect their preferences and avoid using the term.
Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt your communication style to reach a particular audience successfully?
Last year, I delivered a workshop at the Women in Business Summit in Massachusetts. The workshop title was “Authentic and Unapologetic, Gracefully.” I had spoken in front of audiences of women and men who looked like me, but this room was different. This was a mixed audience: all women, probably 50% Caucasian women and 50% Black.
Every woman in that room could relate to the subject matter. They all had dealt with imposter syndrome, not being happy with the way that they looked on certain days and trying to figure out how to deal with challenging people in the workplace. We had so much in common. However, culturally, there are things that we say in Black households in America that other households don’t say, and vice versa. I needed to speak in a vernacular familiar to everyone in the room. Therefore, I had to research and adapt my language. I examined the demographics of current and past conference attendees and prepared accordingly.
After the workshop, many of the women approached me to tell me how much they enjoyed it and how wonderful it was.
How do you handle difficult or sensitive conversations while maintaining open and effective communication?
Always start with something positive, no matter how small. Be honest, short and sweet. Say only what needs to be said so that you don’t come across as berating or being too didactic. Respond, don’t react. Reactions are knee-jerks, fueled by emotion and lacking logic. Reactions usually lead to error and conflict. Respond. Responses are a balance of emotion and logic and lead to more productive dialogue. If you feel your adrenaline rising, if you can wait to have the conversation, wait. Show empathy as appropriate.
How do you integrate non-verbal cues into your communication? Can you provide an example of its importance?
Nonverbal cues are essential because they speak louder than words. Your nonverbal cues must align with your verbal communication. I use my attire to integrate non-verbal cues into my communication. I have fun with my clothing and use it to express my personality. Some days, I am more expressive than others, based on that day’s activities (read the room).I always ensure that my attire and appearance convey the message I intend to communicate verbally. Other nonverbal cues are nodding your head, leaning in toward someone to indicate listening or understanding, or sitting back and crossing your legs to indicate disagreement or the seriousness of a conversation. Many people ignore their unintentional nonverbal cues. For example, you cannot say that you are serious about your business and work hard when your social media shows that you party and get drunk several nights a week. Your actions speak louder than words, so be mindful of all of your nonverbal communication.
My nonverbal cues are often intentional and aim to communicate that I’m about business. When I meet with clients for the first time, especially male clients, I avoid wearing red lipstick, even though it is my favorite. Humans are visual creatures, and a bold lipstick color can be a distraction. My goal is to keep the attention on what I’m saying.
How has digital communication changed the way you convey your messages? Are there any specific challenges or advantages you’ve encountered?
Digital communication has made me more aware of writing styles. How we communicate digitally is crucial, as it’s often the chance to make a first impression. However, the recipient will digest the message through the lens of their own experience. The placement of a word or a comma can significantly affect interpretation or legal liability. Without tone, body language, or dialogue, messages can be misconstrued and misunderstood, and corrections can be challenging. And it always remains. There is always a backup service or a screenshot that stores it even after it has been “erased.” Hence, we need to be strategic and cautious about communicating digitally.
Public speaking is a common fear. What techniques or strategies do you recommend to manage and overcome stage fright?
Being prepared is crucial. However, it is important not to overthink it. You should know your material well enough to allow it to flow from your heart. Speakers like Barack and Michelle Obama are great orators because they believe in what they say; the subject matter is ingrained in them. Therefore, talking about a topic you are genuinely passionate about is recommended. If you only pretend to know about something, people can see through it. Talking points are helpful, but reading a whole speech is not recommended. Reading an entire speech can cause your audience to feel disconnected, as you are busy reading and not connecting with them. I encourage people to use talking points and prepare so that their speech can flow smoothly.
When I am nervous before speaking, I stand in a Superwoman pose with my feet a little more than hip-width apart and my hands on my hips, looking at myself in the mirror. I tell myself I can do this. Studies show that standing in poses such as this is empowering. I recommend standing in the Superwoman or Superman pose and telling yourself that you look good and you got this!
What additional resources do you recommend for individuals looking to improve communication skills?
1 . Always seek to understand useful information, and sometimes what you consider useless, to connect with different audiences and communicate effectively. It is crucial to have a broad understanding of what is happening in the world and what is essential to others.
During my time in grad school, my professor encouraged me to read the front page of the New York Times every day to gain a little knowledge about many things, which helped improve my communication skills.
2 . Read a lot, whether physical books or audiobooks, to expand your vocabulary and knowledge of other cultures.
Being an avid reader has two main benefits: gaining knowledge and expanding vocabulary. Through reading, people can gain an understanding of different perspectives, cultures, places, economies, etc. Secondly, by reading, you absorb new words through the context of storytelling, which expands your vocabulary and leads to better communication skills. Audiobooks also help you to improve public speaking by training your ear to tone and diction that capture an audience’s attention. Try reading two books a month, one business or development and one just for enjoyment. That is how to develop your reading muscle.
3 . Let go of your ego. It’s essential to shift the focus away from oneself during communication.
You can only effectively communicate if you take the attention off of yourself. If not, others will tune you out. So, let go of your ego.
4. Listening to old-school hip-hop.
I always tell people to listen to old-school hip-hop, but they often think I’m crazy. Old-school hip-hop, especially from the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, tells stories in a witty way that makes you want to listen to a song repeatedly. Listening to these classics can help improve your writing and storytelling abilities.
5 . Love yourself, set healthy boundaries for you and your brand, and communicate them confidently — verbally only when necessary.
To achieve this, know yourself and who you want to be. You are a walking billboard, so be consistent and let your personality shine through in any medium. Get to know yourself, fall in love with who you are, and be unapologetically you. But know when not to bring your whole self to the meeting.
Effective communication is important in large environments and one-on-one situations. It can help you connect with different audiences, bring you clients and sales, and even help you find a spouse, maintain a happy marriage and get your children to cooperate.
6. Joining a local Toastmasters group is a great way to improve public speaking skills.
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. 🙂
It would be two things. The first movement is reintroducing reading to the younger generation. With everything being digital, they need to gain a deeper understanding, so I want to bring books back. And secondly, financial literacy. Many people need to understand how money works, which gives them an advantage, regardless of their background, ethnicity, or nationality. Financial literacy should be taught in grade school so that more people grow up financially responsible, literate, and equipped to build and generate wealth.
How can our readers further follow you online?
Website: www.tjmandco.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tjmandco/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tjmandco
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
About the Interviewer: Athalia Monae is a product creator, published author, entrepreneur, advocate for Feed Our Starving Children, contributing writer for Entrepreneur Media, and founder of Pouches By Alahta.
Impactful Communication: Tiffany Joy Murchison On 5 Essential Techniques for Becoming an Effective… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.