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Be Clear and Intentional
Communicate Like a Champion provides straightforward advice for enhancing professional communication, along with strategies that emphasize clarity and empathy. Why was this an important book for you to write?
This book was important for me to write because I’ve seen time and again that the success or failure of projects, teams, and even careers often comes down to communication. As a leader in telecommunications and during my doctoral studies, I recognized how often components of communications, such as clarity and empathy, were missing in professional exchanges. I wanted to create something concise, practical, and easy to use, something people could apply immediately in their workplace, whether they’re leading teams, collaborating across departments, or simply trying to be better understood.
What is one misconception you believe many people may have regarding effective communication in the workplace?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that communication means more words. People often think that long emails or detailed presentations equal effectiveness. In reality, effective communication is about being clear and intentional, saying the right thing, not everything. Another misconception is assuming silence means agreement. “No questions” doesn’t always mean understanding or alignment, and that’s where leaders need to confirm, follow up, and create space for feedback.
Did you learn anything that surprised you while you were researching and writing Communicate Like a Champion?
What surprised me most was how consistently small actions can create significant results. It wasn’t the grand speeches or high-stakes presentations that made the most significant difference; it was the everyday habits that mattered most. Things like summarizing a meeting in a single clear sentence, asking one good clarifying question, or pausing to reflect before responding. Those small, consistent habits are what transform someone into a “champion communicator.”
What is one thing you hope readers take away from this book?
If there’s one thing I want readers to take away, it’s that communication is a skill you can practice and improve. It’s not just for extroverts, executives, or “natural speakers.” With small, intentional steps clarifying intent, listening actively, and following up, you can become the kind of communicator who builds trust, fosters collaboration, and leads with confidence. That’s what “communicating like a champion” is all about.
Whether you’re a new professional, a seasoned leader, or someone navigating the complexities of hybrid teams, Communicate Like a Champion offers practical, proven strategies for improving your connection, leadership, and collaboration in the workplace.
This concise and actionable guide walks you through the core elements of strong communication—from clarifying your intentions to using empathy and follow-up effectively. With relatable examples, reflection prompts, and a 28-day challenge to build habits over time, this book helps you go beyond just “getting your point across.”
You’ll learn how to:
Communicate clearly across departments, hierarchies, and mediums
Recognize internal and external factors that influence every message
Use tone, clarity, and follow-up to earn trust and foster collaboration
Apply tools and tech that elevate your tone and clarity
Lead conversations with empathy, even when conflict is unavoidable
Whether you’re sending an email, running a meeting, or managing change, this book provides a reliable framework for ensuring your message lands and builds stronger relationships.
Communicate Like a Champion
Eli Champion’s Communicate Like a Champion is a straightforward, practical guide to improving professional communication. The book breaks down why communication matters, how intentions shape interactions, what factors influence the way messages are received, and how to put strategies into practice with clarity and empathy. It’s full of simple, actionable steps, like clarifying your purpose before a meeting, checking tone in emails, and following up after conversations, that aim to make anyone a more confident and respected communicator.
What stood out to me initially was the book’s emphasis on practical application rather than abstract theory. Champion illustrates this with the example of a manager calling for “a quick meeting” without providing context. As he explains, such ambiguity often leaves employees uncertain and anxious, unsure whether they have erred or whether the meeting is merely routine. I found this example particularly resonant, having experienced the situation from both perspectives as the uneasy employee and as the manager who failed to provide sufficient clarity. The recommended adjustments, such as stating the purpose of the meeting at the outset or clarifying next steps before closing, are deceptively simple yet highly effective. I could immediately envision how these practices would have alleviated unnecessary tension and improved understanding. This emphasis on directness and transparency exemplifies the book’s core message: communicate with precision to minimize confusion and foster confidence.
I found the chapter on the “7 Components of Communication” particularly instructive. While the framework, clarity, confidence, respect, listening, tone, empathy, and follow-up may appear familiar, Champion’s illustrations prompted meaningful reflection on my own communication practices. One example contrasted the response “I don’t think that will work” with the more considerate phrasing, “I see your point, but can I offer another perspective?” The distinction is subtle yet powerful, highlighting how word choice and tone can determine whether a message is received as dismissive or constructive. Confronted with this comparison, I recognized moments when I have defaulted to the blunt response, often unintentionally undermining collaboration. The example served as a useful reminder of the value of consistently striving for a more respectful approach.
Another notable feature of the book is the 28-day communication challenge. Organized around weekly themes, such as clarity, listening, empathy, and follow-up, it provides daily prompts that encourage practical application, including exercises like restating a colleague’s point to confirm understanding or sending a follow-up email after a meeting. I appreciated that this section moves beyond theory to establish a structured practice routine. When I applied one of the suggested exercises, clarifying my intention at the beginning of a meeting, I was struck by how much more effectively the conversation unfolded. The challenge, paired with the book’s approachable tone, created the sense of being guided by a mentor offering encouragement, rather than being instructed by a prescriptive voice.
I found Communicate Like a Champion to be highly practical and accessible. Rather than relying on jargon or overly complex frameworks, it presents straightforward tools and encourages consistent application. I would recommend this book to early-career professionals seeking to develop confidence, to managers aiming to strengthen their leadership presence, and to anyone who has left a conversation feeling uncertain about its outcome. With reflection and deliberate practice, the strategies outlined here have the potential to significantly improve the way one engages in meetings, correspondence, and professional interactions more broadly.
Pages: 65 | ASIN : B0FG71T9MZ
LITERARY TITAN 