We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Grace Lager a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Grace thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I’d been in the education/coaching industry for a couple of decades. I was feeling that I had accomplished what I’d set out to in my role as a College Professor but knew that I still had a passion for helping people improve their communication, especially their public speaking.

In addition to my career, I was a mom to two young children. I was determined to be the best parent I could be and to break generational cycles. As such I was deeply invested in learning from books and podcasts about best parenting practices, how to break generational cycles of dysfunction and how to honor each of my children’s unique personalities and needs. This led me to a deep exploration of Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and how it applied to children. As I learned more, especially about the cognitive functions (which most MBTI workshops do not cover), I realized it was all about communication. In other words, what I was learning about how my brain, my partner’s brain and my children’s brains processed information was directly linked to how we communicated with each other. Once we had a better understanding of our own processes and those of our family members, we were able to communicate more effectively with each other, creating more peace and harmony in our home and our relationships.

Armed with my academic knowledge and expertise and my new knowledge of the cognitive process I knew there was a great opportunity to help others bridge the gaps of misunderstanding and lack of confidence in their communication.

I earned my MBTI and MMTIC certifications and then started drafting ideas for how to turn these two areas of passion into a business that would help others across all areas of their lives rather then in one segment such as work OR personal.

I knew it was worthwhile because I knew how much it had helped me. I also started discussing it with friends and colleagues who were all fascinated and asked me to work with their families. Then, I brought the MBTI information into my classrooms and watched as my students used their new found self-knowledge to blossom and how much easier it was for them to see the application when we mapped it onto effective communication.

The problem I solve is confidence in communication. Whether that is public speaking or communicating with team or family members, when we better know ourselves and have the tools to understand where the other person is coming from our communication improves which, ultimately, improves results.

For public speaking clients, I focus on building confidence in public communication: everything from elevator pitches to networking conversations to delivering keynote speeches. With my organizational and family clients I focus on applying the understanding of self-preferences in communication to learning about others’ preferences and how to merge the two for more effective meaning making.

While separately none of these are really “unique” approaches, taken together they are extremely unique & powerful. When combined, these approaches bring together academic understanding and expertise with easily relatable and understandable concepts. That foundational knowledge is then put into achievable action steps that create quick results while also giving clients long term goals to work towards. Even though most of us take communication for granted (because we’ve been doing it our entire lives) it is one of the most crucial skills to develop for effectiveness and success in today’s world.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I solve the problems of self-doubt, impostor syndrome and muddle messaging in group communication. From the networking room to the stage, I help high achieving women and women on the rise step out of the shadows of success and into the spotlight of their confidence so they can effect the change they want in the world.

I offer public speaking, team, organization and family communication strategies and skills. Regardless of why you work with me, you will increase your confidence, increase your revenue and raise your voice to be a more effective leader. I work with clients one on one, in cohorts and in teams. I use a variety of techniques and assessments to help clients learn their strengths and how to stretch to the strength of others.

As a young child, I never sought the spotlight. In fact, I often hid in my room when the doorbell rang! If someone told little girl me that one day I’d teach 1,000s of people how to confidently communicate in situations ranging from one-on-one conversations to addressing a packed auditorium I probably would’ve stayed in my room. Luckily I didn’t!

I found strength, confidence, effectiveness and the skills to become an effective communicator who gets results. I learned, through advanced education and 20+ years of experience, that the most effective speakers honor their strengths and embrace what makes them unique in their presence and power.

Today, this is what I do for others. I help clients overcome communication fears to communicate confidently & clearly.

Now when the bell rings I run for the door, I talk with perfect strangers and I don’t shy away from those whose communication style differs from mine. In fact, I embrace these moments. This confidence came from learning my strengths, identifying my unique communication style and leveraging these assets to overcome my fears and self-doubt.

My greatest joy is seeing a client conquer her fear and self-doubt to achieve the goals she has set. Whether her goal is a big one, like the composure to ask her boss for a raise, or a small one like getting through a presentation without forgetting what she wants to say, they are of equal importance to me. Truly, no goal is small if it is what she wants to achieve.

If I’m anything, it’s a consummate student.

I have a PhD in Communication Studies, a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) certification and a STOTT PIlates certification (yep, I’ve spent some time on the reformer!).

Communicating is something we do all day. I think of these moments as my field research and boy do I get a lot of data. More importantly, just like my clients, I’m always practicing and working to improve my skills to make better, more meaningful connections with those around me.

For 20+ years I have helped 1,000s of clients improve their communication, develop their skills, build their confidence and launch them into leaders who connect with their teams. I do this by helping women work through their limiting beliefs, preparing them to showcase their strengths and step into their confidence.

I have received national recognition for my innovative curriculum design (did you know Dolly Parton can teach us to be better communicators?). I have been awarded for my research, my creative approach to helping people make meaningful connections and for my public speaking.

I have been honored to give guest lectures across many disciplines (like the sciences, psychology, life skills courses, the legal field and the Department of Labor) and at all levels from elementary school to CEOs. I have helped business owners present their message in an engaging & dynamic ways and have been consulted for my expertise in refining public speaking skills from idea generation to final presentation.

I am passionate about helping clients find their inner public speaking power. Going on the journey from “I’m petrified” to “I did it and did it well” is extremely rewarding and I am honored to be on the journey with those who put their trust in me.

Working with me is like having your own personal cheerleader by your side. I’m not going to give you a formula and then send you out on your own. We work together to overcome your limiting beliefs, highlight your strengths and find a powerful voice. You will not be on your own, I will be with you and continue to support you every step of the way (all the way to the celebration after each success). I will be like your own personal support animal, no paperwork needed!

My academic background gives me the science behind the why and my experience gives me the understanding behind the what. My programs are based on proven skills and techniques, not what’s trendy or what worked for someone else. I excel at bringing the theory into practice so that you get the practical, tangible results not the esoteric “you should.”

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of new clients for me has been public speaking gigs. I am a public speaking and communication coach so this makes perfect sense.

I am strategic about my speaking opportunities. I look for stages that will get me in front of my ideal clients, high achieving women and women on the rise. Women’s networking groups, especially ones that I’m part of, have been extremely fruitful.

I also do family communication coaching so working with groups and other coaches in this space is very helpful. Many organizations are often looking for people to bring content to their members and/or staff. Speaking to these groups helps me grow this arm of my business.

To really optimize these speaking gigs, I’m sure to offer some kind of valuable freebie to the audience AND to make a pitch for my services.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

The best marketing strategy for me is delivering valuable and educational content to my audiences.

I try to follow the 80/20 rule of posting: 80% is educational or has some immediate value for the audience, such as a tip or strategy. 20% of the time I post about my speaking gigs (past and/or upcoming) or something a little more fun and personal.

Although many people do, I do not post images of my kids. There is no judgement for those who do I just feel strongly about not putting their faces on social media. I will, however, TALK about them in my posts. This is especially helpful for the family communication audience.

When you consistently deliver value and sought after information, without giving it all away, you position yourself as an expert in your field.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.gracescommlab.com
• Instagram: @gracescommlab
• Facebook: @TheCommunicationLab
• Linkedin: @GraceLager

Image Credits
Kelsee Dunn (for some. not all)