How to Build New Communication Habits
By Stephanie Bickel
Building new communication habits is one of the most transformative steps you can take as a leader. Yet, it's also one of the most challenging. In our final lesson, How to Build New Communication Habits, we tackled this crucial topic head-on, addressing the most common question we hear after coaching sessions:
“How do I make this a habit?”
The answer lies in two foundational elements: attitude and practice. Let’s break it down.
Step 1: Evaluate Your Attitude
Before diving into the how, ask yourself:
How much do I want to change?
How much do I believe change is possible?
Your attitude toward learning is the key to creating lasting habits. Many people acquire new knowledge but fall short of integrating it into their daily lives. Why? Because they approach learning passively or resist the effort required to grow.
To make communication habits stick, you must want the change—and all the growth and responsibility that come with being an exceptional communicator. Are you ready for what happens when people start turning to you as the clear leader?
Step 2: Commit to Practice
Practice isn’t optional—it’s essential. But practice doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Think of it as an opportunity to experiment, play, and refine your skills.
Here are some practical ways to make practice part of your routine:
Redefine everyday interactions as experiments. Whether you’re at the grocery store, running errands, or introducing yourself at a networking event, treat these as opportunities to try new postures, expressions, and tones.
Anchor practice to daily moments. Every time you walk into a room, start a Zoom call, or step onto a stage, reset your posture and presence. Think: Game on!
Use role models for inspiration. Study speakers you admire—whether it’s a TED Talk presenter, a news anchor, or a colleague—and observe what makes them compelling.
Step 3: Plan for Success
Changing communication habits requires a clear plan. Start with these steps:
Set specific goals, such as improving your vocal variety or crafting more concise status updates.
Identify someone to give you constructive feedback—choose wisely, as their perspective can shape your progress.
Record yourself speaking and watch it back. While this might feel uncomfortable, it’s one of the most powerful tools for growth.
Many people resist change because they:
Assume their current communication skills are "good enough."
Take a passive approach, believing improvement will happen naturally over years.
Receive vague feedback (e.g., “Work on your executive presence”) and don’t know where to start.
If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to shift your mindset. Get specific about what you want to improve, set measurable goals, and commit to deliberate practice.
The KASH Model for Habit Formation
One framework we love is KASH, which stands for:
Knowledge: Gain new insights and frameworks for communication.
Attitude: Believe in your potential to grow and embrace feedback.
Skills: Hone techniques through consistent practice.
Habits: Create automatic behaviors that serve you in any scenario.
It is a process flow. You will only develop a habit if you have a positive attitude toward the new knowledge and practice the skill enough times to make it automatic. Most people have a poor attitude and do not put in the practice.
Why Practice Matters
The ultimate goal is to internalize these skills so that they become second nature. You don’t want to think about eye contact, storytelling, or posture when you’re in a high-stakes meeting. You want your communication to feel natural, confident, and impactful—because you’ve already done the work.
Make 2025 Your Year of Growth
Great communication doesn’t just open doors and changes career trajectories. The question is, are you ready to leap forward?
If you’re serious about building new habits, we invite you to join the 25th Anniversary Edition of Speak by Design University. This program combines private coaching, group events, and practical tools to help you transform the way you communicate and lead.