Who It’s For: Entrepreneurs, Senior Business Leaders, Managers, Sales Professionals, Female Leaders, and R&D, Innovation, DEI, and Other Critical Teams

Grab the Communication Guide

🎁 Unwrap Your Best Conversations: The Holiday Gift Every HR Leader and Executive Needs

Darlene Hawley

How Better Communication Can Save Your Organization Time, Money, and Stress—And Why This Holiday Season Is the Perfect Time to Reset

Why Poor Communication Is Costing Your Organization


Did you know that every avoided conversation in the workplace costs organizations an average of $7,500? Whether it’s an employee hesitating to ask for clarity, a leader sidestepping a difficult discussion, or a team member holding back feedback, the ripple effects of poor communication are undeniable—and costly.


If you’re a leader looking to reduce these costs and improve your team’s communication skills, this holiday season is the perfect time to make a change.


A Real-Life Story of Transforming Workplace Communication


A few years ago, I worked with an HR leader managing a talented but reserved team. While they excelled at strategic planning, the team often struggled to speak up in meetings or address challenges openly. This leader shared a story with me about a misunderstanding over workload that spiraled into missed deadlines, employee frustration, and a client nearly walking away.


“I felt like I failed them,” they admitted. “If I had just created a space where they felt comfortable addressing the issue earlier, we could’ve avoided so much stress.”


By implementing strategies to empower communication, this leader transformed their team’s dynamic. Within months, morale improved, productivity soared, and collaboration thrived.


What would it look like for you and your team if you got clear on where the missteps were happening and you started to make small changes in your everyday conversations?


The Cost of Poor Communication in the Workplace


Poor communication isn’t just a productivity issue—it’s a financial one. Avoided conversations lead to:

  • Decreased team morale
  • Increased employee turnover
  • Missed deadlines and lost revenue


As we approach 2025, it’s time to address these challenges head-on by gifting your team with the tools they need to succeed.


3 Simple Steps to Improve Workplace Communication


Here are three strategies you can start using today to improve communication in your organization:

  1. Model Vulnerability and Authenticity 
    Show your team it’s okay to be human. Share your own challenges in communication and how you work through them.
  2. Practice Active Listening
    Create intentional spaces where team members feel heard and valued. Mirror back to them their concerns when they share them with you and ask thoughtful questions and get curious.
  3. Shift Your Energy
    Before tough conversations, check your mindset. Are you focused on serving your team, or are you stuck in self-judgment and self-doubt? You want to move that energy and take control of the sensations that are coming up for you in your body. Shift toward movement, curiosity and acceptance.


Join My Holiday-Themed Leadership Roundtable


This holiday season, I’m inviting HR leaders and executives to join me for a special Leadership Roundtable where we’ll take these concepts even deeper.


🎁 Theme: Unwrap Your Best Conversations: A Holiday Reset for Effective Communication

During this interactive, small-group session, we’ll explore:

  • The Gift of Clarity: Making awkward conversations less uncomfortable
  • The Gift of Confidence: Accessing your full communication power
  • The Gift of Listening: Inspiring teams to speak up and listen effectively
  • The Gift of Service: Approaching tough conversations with focus and purpose


Event Details:
📅
Date: Wednesday, December 11th
Time: 9:00am - 10:30am PT
📍
Where: Virtual (Zoom)

💻 Save Your Seat: Register Here


Why This Roundtable Is a Must-Attend Event for HR Leaders & Executive Leaders


If you’re ready to:

  • Reduce communication challenges that hurt your bottom line
  • Empower your team with actionable tools to thrive
  • Start 2025 with stronger, clearer conversations


Then this roundtable is for you.


Seats are limited, so don’t miss your chance to join this unique holiday-themed session. Click the link above to register, or reach out if you have questions.

✨Ready to Own Your Story and Attract Your Dream Clients?✨

If you’re ready to stop second-guessing your message and start using storytelling as a powerful tool to connect, inspire, and sell—then I’d love to invite you to my It’s Time to Own Your Story: Mini-Course.

In this self-paced course, you’ll learn how to:
✔️ Identify the key moments in your story that captivate your audience.
✔️ Share your story in a way that builds trust and positions you as the go-to expert.
✔️ Use storytelling across your website, social media, and sales conversations to attract and convert more clients.


Plus, you’ll get a step-by-step workbook and personal feedback on your brand story—so you can start sharing with confidence.

Get Instant Access for just $47

10 Effective Communication Tips
Darlene Hawley, Personal Branding & Business Coach for service based entrepreneurs

Hey There!

I'm Darlene



As a mother, wife, connector, and dream builder, I’m Darlene Hawley, the founder of DarleneHawley.com and an Executive Leadership & Businesss Coach dedicated to empowering leaders like you.


My passion lies in helping ambitious professionals cultivate their unique leadership style while crafting an authentic and impactful personal brand. Through my coaching, we’ll work together to build a solid foundation that not only inspires your team but also drives results and growth within your organization.


Since 2007, I have been committed to guiding leaders and entrepreneurs in launching and scaling their businesses with confidence and clarity.


Today, I focus on supporting women in reaching their leadership goals and living their dream lives—all while balancing the joys of raising my family and creating meaningful memories each day.


Together, we’ll transform your challenges into opportunities, allowing you to lead with authenticity and inspire those around you.

By Darlene Hawley October 27, 2025
Carolyn Bennett-Sullivan, a seasoned keynote speaker, TEDx presenter, and change strategist, shares her incredible journey from a challenging career in pharma sales to becoming a transformational catalyst. She discusses overcoming fear-based thinking, navigating major business disruptions, and building trust in organizations. Whether you're a heart-centered entrepreneur or an executive leader, this conversation is packed with valuable insights on how to lead confidently, handle major transitions, and create a business that thrives. Curious to learn more? Visit darlenehawley.com/workwithme. 00:41 Meet Carolyn Bennett Sullivan 01:48 Carolyn's Journey and Overcoming Fear 04:15 Navigating Workplace Disruptions 07:21 Tools for Leaders and Employees 15:03 The Importance of Communication and Engagement 21:19 The Importance of Team Buy-In 22:49 Building Relationships in Sales 27:21 Future Plans and Goals 29:26 Rapid Fire Questions 35:09 Conclusion and Contact Information Carolyn is an inspiring keynote speaker, transformational catalyst, and change strategist. As a TEDx speaker, author, and consultant, she leverages her corporate sales and small business expertise to help organizations create strategies for navigating business disruptions through mindset mastery. Her deep understanding of psychology, neuroscience, and business uncovers barriers to change and guides individuals to overcome obstacles, build resilience and unlock their highest capabilities. You can engage with Carolyn at: https://linkedin.com/in/carolynbennettsullivan https:instagram.com/cbsullivan https://facebook.com/carolynbennettsullivan ------ Hi I’m Darlene Hawley and I help ambitious entrepreneurs and executive women find their voice, craft powerful messaging, and regulate their nervous system so they can speak up with confidence in high-stakes conversations, client meetings, and on stages ... without second-guessing themselves. Grab my 10 Do's and Don't for Effective Daring Conversations: https://mailchi.mp/297e8105e904/communicationguide Grab my 6 Steps To Attract & Stand Out digital guide, a free roadmap to create a successful business with less hustle and more ease: https://bit.ly/attractandstandoutonline Grab a Chai and let's Connect: https://darlenehawley.com https://linkedin.com/in/darlenehawley
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