Ever wondered why your perfectly crafted message falls flat with certain colleagues? The answer might lie in understanding your communication "voice" and how it resonates (or clashes) with others.
In this illuminating conversation, Shawn Collins of Extend Group joins Auto Care Association's President and CEO, Bill Hanvey and host, Jacki Lutz, to unpack the Five Voices communication framework developed by Giant Worldwide. This powerful model reveals how we all speak through different voices (Nurturer, Guardian, Creative, Connector, and Pioneer) each with distinct communication patterns that significantly impact our professional relationships.
The revelation? Only 18% of people are natural communicators (Connectors and Pioneers), yet they typically lead the other 82%. This disconnect explains why so many workplace communications fail despite good intentions. "We're not as good of communicators as we think we are," Shawn explains, highlighting how our default communication styles often miss the mark with team members wired differently.
Through engaging stories and practical examples, you'll discover your own communication tendencies, recognize your blind spots, and learn how to adapt your approach for different audiences. Bill shares how his Guardian blind spot affects his leadership, while Jacki reflects on how her Connector style sometimes misinterprets direct feedback as personal criticism.
Perhaps most valuable is the discussion about self-awareness and knowing when to lean into your strengths (70% of your time) while embracing growth opportunities (30%), and understanding that your natural voice isn't something to change but to harness effectively within a complementary team.
Take the free Five Voices assessment linked below and transform how you communicate with colleagues, clients, family members, and friends. When you understand the voices at play, every conversation becomes an opportunity for deeper connection and more effective leadership.

Take the FREE 5 Voices Assessment: https://knowtolead.giantos.com/store/5-voices

Take the FREE Communication Code Assessment: https://knowtolead.giantos.com/store/communication-code-assessment

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To learn more about the Auto Care Association visit autocare.org.
To learn more about our show and suggest future topics and guests, visit autocare.org/podcast