The Communication Architect
The Communication Architect
Communication Tools that Reset Organizations: An Interview with David Baldwin
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Maybe you've heard the saying that communication can make or break a company, a church, or a family. The wide-reaching impact of our communication skills crosses interpersonal and intergenerational lines.
If you'd like to learn more about communication tools that reset organizations, join Dr. Lisa Dunne for this week's podcast with CVCU professor David Baldwin, the founder of Leadership Insight Group 360.
Professor Baldwin teaches executives around the world, helping them implement successful communication strategies that positively impact their corporate culture. His client list includes Disney, Microsoft, Pepsi, Amazon, the US military, and many more global audiences. He is a leader of leaders, and we are blessed to have him on the CVCU team.
Don't miss Professor Baldwin's next webinar! Sign up for resources and invites at Leadership Insight Group 360 (www.LIG360.org). And be sure to meet all of our talented CVCU professors at www.CVCU.us/team.
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Hi thanks for joining me here today. I'm a communication architect. Each week this content that will help you to grow your personal communication competitive. Stories of transformation and social change. Now let's focus on holding it to become communications architect. Hello everyone and welcome to the show. I'm Dr. Lisa Dunn, a lifelong homeschooling parent, author, and president of Chula Vista Christian University, a Bible-based university model that centers on mentor-driven, debt-free higher education. Education is formation. Why would we send a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, into a secular system of education? Parents, your kids don't have to go woke or broke to earn their college degree. Join us for transformative education that's not yoked to a woke government system. Visit us at cvcu.us to see how we are taking back education for the next generation. Pastors, we can help you arm your congregation against secular indoctrination. Just click the Start and Academy tab at Accu Academic Rescue Mission.com. Just click the Start and Academy tab at Academic Rescue Mission.com to find a support academy or start one of your own. We can have your outreach running in just four weeks. If your eighth to twelfth grader is ready for more academic challenges, you are going to want to check out our dual enrollment program at CBCU. That's Chula Vista Christian University. You'll get highly affordable in-person classes that you can transfer to a Christian university. And of course, our flagship program, Chula Vista Christian University. Starting in 11th grade, students can take a full load of college courses in our in-person, debt-free, faith-based model. Go to cbcu.us slash apply to learn more. You'll find all of our books, blogs, and resources online at cbcu.us. That's Chula Vista Christian University. And now we have a fantastic interview for you today. Here's a little bit more about our guest. He is the owner of the Leadership Insight Group, where he's been leading positive change for over 25 years. Some of his clients have included Amazon, Dell, Disney, Google, Microsoft, Starbucks, Xerox, the U.S. government, and military. He has trained leaders literally across the world and in every US state to more than 15,000 executives. He's worked at CBS, ESPN, Nordstrom. He's certified in over 100 psychometric tests, 360 assessment instruments, and he's provided over 400 leadership and team interventions around the globe. He holds a Master of Science degree in behavioral communication studies with a focus on organizational leadership and a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech communication with an emphasis in television, broadcasting, social psychology, and the Spanish language and culture. He's co-written books and articles on influence tactics, communicating vision, leadership networking, all along with delivering keynotes on these topics literally, literally all over the world. And as a voiceover actor, he enjoys supporting his boys in their acting endeavors. He and his wife Lisa enjoy serving in their church and participating in traillifeusa.com, outdoor adventures, and sports of all kinds. Please join me in welcoming the talented Professor David Baldwin.
SPEAKER_00My pleasure. So kind, so kind. A warm introduction. I appreciate that.
SPEAKER_01What an incredible background. What talent you bring from across the globe. What got you started in your field?
SPEAKER_00You know, that was a question I've always reflected on. And there was something that was planted very early on. I accepted Jesus when I was 10. And there was something that I think shifted for me where I really wanted to know the truth. And I doggedly pursued the truth. Now, the truth is even the truth of what I thoroughly desire and have passion for. And I wouldn't um I wouldn't settle. So I always wanted to find out what was uh exciting and passionate. And so that led me into wanting to be a television anchor when I was like 13 years old. And I I just was enamored by let's the tell the truth of the news of the world to the world. And there was just something about uh back in the day, there was a little bit more credibility when I was growing up with the news. Now it's all over the place. But there was just something there about the truth. And that is kind of where I started my journey. And I started at uh CBS with a show there and worked on all the news uh broadcasts and everything there. And at the time, there was a shift for me as I was able to kind of get into the workings of all of the anchors and all of the culture there. And I just saw the um just the back-end story of it. And it's kind of like the Hollywood back end story. It's not always glamorous. And there's a lot of challenge, there's a lot of backstabbing, there's a lot of I don't like that person, so they're out. And I remember one particular five o'clock newscast, the news director just pulled the person anchor out three minutes before and they just left in tears. I mean, there was just all kinds of memories that I have. And I'm thinking, this is not the lifestyle that I imagined. This is not really in sync with my values. Maybe I don't want to talk to a teleprompter for the rest of my life. And so then I shifted into uh the level of speech communication, which is a whole other story. But that's how I got started.
SPEAKER_01What an incredible backstory. And I think a lot of people get lured into kind of careers that look one way on the outside, but thank God you not you didn't you didn't abandon your gifts and talents. You just translated them into something that was going to be kingdom focused. So really just an incredible testimony. And you've had the opportunity to work around the globe. Literally, no exaggeration to say you work around the globe. What have been some of the standout moments or standout experiences for you and your global work?
SPEAKER_00There have been so many. I think uh the most recent one that I'll comment on uh my trips to Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, and all that is going on there in the news today. And God led me there to deliver work, which was unexpected. And so to be able to go there and also work with the CEO of Gulf Saudi and just how they're trying to move from oil to tourism and trying to work with the the prince, who's kind of running things now, to create their 2030 vision was something I didn't expect. Um, when I was there in November, for example, um, the prince was with President Trump in the Oval Office talking about all the dynamics that are now playing out. And so I'm leading these business leaders, and they're all focused on the religion of Islam. And I I I remember having some uh some praise music playing on my computer during a break, and my other uh colleague was there, was there said, Is that what you want to play? I'm like, Oh, okay, I I guess I'll have to turn that off. Uh because Jesus was being praised right there in the midst of it all. But they would go and do their little prayer time. And what what happened there was God gave me a big download of Islam. And I didn't really know a whole lot. I mean, I know kind of Americans' versions of what it looks like, but now I just have such a deep dive of of what it is, the the fear of it, um, the lack of loving relationship that Islam does not have, that we have as as Jesus followers. And so as I was just kind of listening and participating, and I was receiving respect because I was up on the platform uh giving them feedback and experiential activities and facilitating discussions. You know, there was a back and forth conversation. These are just people, just like us. Uh, some of the women, you can only see their eyes, some of the women had their whole faces. And so, what's the difference? And so I had all kinds of interesting questions that I had the opportunity to ask and to learn about their fear of Allah and whatever that means for them. So, anyway, I can go into all kinds of depth there, but that that's one experience that really uh stood out for me. And I I remember back um during the kind of the the 2010-2011 crash or whenever the housing crash happened, I got this little message on LinkedIn. God used this message, hey, you wrote that little book on influence. Would you like to speak on that? And it led me to this kind of tour of going to Shanghai and Bali and Dubai and Kualumpur, um, Phuket, I mean, all over with just speaking about that and emotional intelligence. And I just realized that people are people. I I have always been enamored with the Olympics and the and the dream of going to the Olympics. And it was just something that was planned maybe back in the 1980s with the whole ice hockey. But I I just always wanted to hear stories of people that persevered. And so I went to Sydney and Atlanta and Utah and Barcelona and with other friends that I just really enjoyed the story. And there was just so many wonderful moments there. Uh the Olympics uh are everything. There's pros and cons, but but just when people pursue their story and that passion, that is really what I was uh enamored by. How do they do it? And so as I've traveled around the world, I see where people are at and what they get excited about, how they overcome hardships, how they see the world. And there's a lot of similarities around decision making, influencing, how you communicate, how you resolve conflict. It's just perhaps massed with different languages and different nuances, but it's really the same core content that we have and share in in our world in the United States and beyond.
SPEAKER_01Wow. Incredible. And just that macro view of hearing you as a truth teller, somebody who's drawn to the local news to be a truth teller, and then having that macro view of seeing the connective threads. That's a that's a pretty rare gift, David. So really just really incredible to hear what you're doing with that and how God's using it to open doors for you, literally across the globe. And I love, of course, that you bring these experiences into the classroom at CBCU, both into the the Socratic rooms and then also just into those one-to-one mentorships. What's one of the most standout memories that you've had in sharing your global work right here with our students?
SPEAKER_00You know, what what I enjoy the most is when I challenge or invite a student to think differently and to think about what's possible. For example, uh, even recently, there's been a couple students that were going to uh deliver a webinar, and I'm all about application. And for them to face a challenge, call it an anxious, temporary fear of how am I gonna come across, what am I gonna look like, what am I gonna say, all of that, and just to do it, um, and being able to show them how to do it, and for them to comment, well, what about this, what about that, and for me to come back with, well, what about that? And for them to then realize, okay, I I can do this and I am going to do this. And I I um I even did a uh a zoom from um from Saudi Arabia from them. I'm like, this is how easy it is. It's global. You can do this. So though those those shifts, when I see that in their uh in their eyes, uh, that's very rewarding and very exciting and fun to kind of navigate.
SPEAKER_01It is fun to to navigate and to see the hope. You know, it gives us it gives us hope for the next generation, the future of our nation. When you are working with organizations, obviously there's a lot of brokenness, dysfunction. We have, you know, five generations, the working generations in the marketplace. And of course, we live in a culture that segregates generations from school to church every aspect, and then we wonder why we can't get along in the workplace. What are some common mistakes that you see with organizations making specifically around the idea of internal communication? And what kind of advice do you give them?
SPEAKER_00A lot of people uh with lack of awareness, lack of information, fall into just assuming or re reflecting on what they've known in the past and applying that to the present. And that can be perhaps dangerous. It may not be accurate, but that's all they know, and then they they almost walk that out as truth. So challenging assumptions would be one. And then the other idea is if the expectations are not clear, not just communicated, but not clear, understood, then things go into a whole different arena. Like, well, I didn't understand, you didn't say that. Why did that happen? And you didn't invite us in, and just all of that. So to be able to communicate clearly and confirm these expectations, and it really resides in what I call um a covenant, or in the the work terms, an interpersonal work agreement, kind of a a covenant with God, there's there's a truth in that. When you actually make a covenant with people, like a marriage covenant, you know, there there's a commitment there. And so when you actually intentionally say, This is how we're gonna make decisions, this is how information's gonna be shared, this is how we're gonna resolve conflict. Those are the big three that I've found over the years: decision making, how to share information, how to resolve conflict. If those aren't addressed, it it gets um it it it doesn't go well, let's just put it that way. Um so I I get people to um even just a simple email. This is what we agreed upon. Um I I just got an email this morning, for example, with a with a client that said, uh yes, let's meet uh let's meet tomorrow at two. And then you assume, okay, we're gonna meet tomorrow at two o'clock. What what does that mean exactly? Am I calling you? Are you calling me? How are we gonna be communicating? Um, what does that look like? And so I've learned as an example to say, um, to try to make it simplistic and not make it more complicated. I said, uh, I'm available of this number. If there's another number or another platform you'd like me to use to reach out, let me know. So I've established a line of communication as an example.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, great clear communication. I'm shocked at the number of organizations I work with when I'm starting academies that do not have job descriptions or clear lanes and boundaries. And of course, that invites chaos and invites confusion and invites friction, right? Because people are stepping on one another and doubling up on roles and wasting their time and energy. And so everything comes down to clear communication. And I love that you are able to apply that and help students think through that lens as well before they get into the workplace, before they start leading organizations. Let's talk about some of the work that you're doing at your company, Leadership Insight Group. Tell us a little bit about the services you offer, kind of what your main focus is there.
SPEAKER_00Well, I'm all about facilitating honest feedback because that information then brings clarity. And so being able to help leaders who have blind spots. And so when you get to the higher levels, you rarely get honest feedback. And I've been, you know, blessed, and God's given me entree into different individuals because of uh just being able to trust that I will hold what I know in confidence um and and and be able to kind of respect who they are and understand the nuances accordingly. Um and so being able to do a 360 on someone as an interview or a psychometric is a way that I facilitate information sharing, honest information. This is the perspective that people are sharing. You may not like it, you may not agree with it, but now with that information, you can better manage you, your situation, your team, your organization. Without that, you're kind of leading blindly or you're leading partially uh blind or you're acting out on assumptions. So being able to give that fuller informational scope, if you will, um, that is uh a tool that I like to use. And uh another example is I have a um a webinar on navigating change, which is going on all over the world all the time. Uh this uh this April 7th at 11 a.m., if people would like to join, it's it's complimentary. Uh, but I'm gonna be talking about tools that I've used um at these companies like like Google and Disney and Dell and Amazon about how to navigate change. One of them is called the change navigator. And when you go through change, being able to first acknowledge the change, then there's a reaction to the change, then you investigate what's possible as you navigate through the change, and then there's an implementation of the new change. Very simple. There's a lot wrapped up into that. I share some examples of what's going on in the world today, or even using COVID as an example, but being able to walk through change and then using an assessment called like the change style indicator, the influence style or decision style profile, where you get to understand your personal preferences, your God-given created preferences, gifts, if you will, around how you see change. There's different styles, different approaches. There are different parts of the body, as we know in the Bible, it talks about. And so being able to equip people to understand who they are, so then they can navigate not just themselves, but be more aware of others, which is really emotional intelligence, then they're able to walk forward with more confidence and security. And they're able to navigate change without the confusion and chaos, because God is not a God of chaos. So that's an example of some of the tools, experiential activities, all kinds of other opportunities. But uh, there's more on my site that people can learn more if they're interested.
SPEAKER_01It's so incredible. And and you know, targeting leaders, you know, you think about when you're employing someone before we, you know, hire some at CBCU, you know, we call the references. I go on LinkedIn, look at everybody they know, and we call those. But when you think about a leader being surrounded by itching ears, people who only say what they think that leader wants to hear. I mean, why are we seeing that cultural phenomena? What are some of the dangers of being surrounded by only yes men, people who won't give you a little friction and honest feedback?
SPEAKER_00Well, it's it's pretty uh obvious that uh you're in a little bubble and you're insulated, and people around you are uh using the different phrases. Um, working with one client, like that's the boys' club. And what does that mean? Well, that means I don't get to go in there, or there's a block there, or there's all kinds of conceptions or misconceptions that get in the way of being able to have an honest relationship, which is what God created us to have and to and to do. Uh, within our sinful nature, it gets in the way, obviously. And so that that gets me riled up to say, no, there's more. You know, you can be free. There's there's opportunity for people to have healthier communication and relational depth in the midst of the brokenness that we're in right now. But yes, if if you're in that kind of everybody agrees with the leader and the leader doesn't get that honest feedback, then the leader is blind. And when you're blind, you're not you're gonna be acting out behaviors that are not going to achieve the ultimate goal. It's gonna be kind of like a facade or a fake achievement, if you will, at the end of the day.
SPEAKER_01It's so good. And it's so it's that friction that really forms us, the iron-sharpening iron. We look at the AI crisis today, and of course, AI is, you know, creating a bond with humans by saying, You're so smart, you're such a genius, and never giving any negative pushback. And it's actually that negative pushback that forms us. So I worry about the future of organizations that don't have people who are speaking truth, saying the hard truths. And of course, at the end of the day, that's fear of man. We're putting fear of man above the fear of God if we're not being honest with people. Um, and that's why the field of communication is so incredibly powerful, such a great foundation for students who are who are watching you, David, and they're thinking, gosh, I want to do what he's doing, that you've already inspired them. What would you say are the most important pathways to preparation? What helped you get where you are today?
SPEAKER_00Well, as I started out, I mentioned that I really wanted to um not settle. I wanted to be, you know, really excited and passionate about whatever that was. I didn't know how it was going to play out. If it was gonna be in a pastoral role, it was gonna be a corporate communication. I even thought I wanted to be the White House press secretary. I thought that was just such a cool job. You're in the hot seat and the media's challenging. So all of those things were kind of like what was attractive to me. And in this particular field, again, I didn't really know much about it. When I shifted from television broadcasting to really speech communication, I was at um Skyline Wesleyan Church in San Diego. And my pastor was John Maxwell. And he was very obviously influential. He's been around all over the world with his leadership development. We had to, you know, transition him to the amazing Jim Garlo and all of that. But there was just uh something that sparked in me that, hey, maybe there's an opportunity for me to pursue communication that actually helps people. Uh, I remember when I was in a college class, I'm like, why can't people just communicate? It's pretty obvious here, isn't it? And then it's like, well, no. And so I just thought, okay, here's a great problem for me to solve. God has me on assignment, different assignments around the world and different people. And so as I became clearer on that desire in the area of communication, doors started to open up and opportunities started to open up. I didn't even know anything about assessments until like the uh 90s or early 2000s, and now I've got all these different assessments and tools. Now they're all over the place. Now I create my own with with uh the different tools that are available now with all the technology. So there's a lot that is now available. Um, so there's not just your general communication degree. There's so many important nuances and so many details. Social media is just one, but that's not even at the core of what helps people. So I would really encourage people to think about what they really get excited about. Um, my favorite question that I like to ask executives is what is the best work you've ever done in your entire career? And if they struggle with that, or they have, well, that was 15 years ago. You know, or and and what was going on for you? You know, what why why was that your best work? You know, what pistons were firing, you could tell a story upon story. There there was just something that you were alive. You know, that guy was in the moment, in that. That's going to reveal some evidence. Um, I I have a lot of uh career assessments. I'm doing a lot of career assessments for high school and college students now. And so being able to help people find their purpose, their their their gifting uh is at a whole new level. I I have different tools and resources that that help people do that because I get excited about you know helping people see how God has created them. So um, so those are some of the thoughts that I have. If you're interested, let me know. I'd be glad to help out because I get excited about helping people.
SPEAKER_01I love that. And I think there's such a broad application to everything you've shared today for ages across the span. Where can listeners learn more about your work or connect with you to maybe sign on for executive training?
SPEAKER_00Well, one is my website, uh lig360.com leadership insight group. You can find me on LinkedIn. Um, I I have a um when I have time, I have a podcast called On Purpose for His Purpose, where I've interviewed people that have found their purpose. Very interesting stories. Uh, even an example of a Disney animator who created the Lion King and Mulan, who left Disney because of the the the negative agenda at Disney. And now he's living out his purpose. So there's all kinds of interesting stories when I find someone just to kind of share their story to help people learn. But uh you can email me, uh David.baldwin at Lig360.com or give me a call. My phone number, 858-382-3711. I'm wide open. I share that because I don't get people rarely will give you a call, but I just want to throw that out there if there is some interest. And if I don't have the right person, I'll get you connected to someone that will help you.
SPEAKER_01That's a great multi-generational approach. You gave everything from your LinkedIn to your phone number. Well done. Really great. David, thank you so much for not only for being on the show today, but for the way that you are inspiring and encouraging the next generation. We are so incredibly blessed to have you on our team at CVCU as a founding member. Just absolutely stellar to think about the the work that you've done and the wisdom you've invested into the next generation. Thank you so much.
SPEAKER_00Thank you, Dr. It's a pleasure to be a part of the exciting mission of CVCU. It's it's quite a journey.
SPEAKER_01Friends, as you heard from Professor Baldwin today, clear communication is essential to our success, both at home and in the workplace. And one of the amazing offshoots we're seeing in the CVCU model is not only academic support and structure, but whole student development that comes from having mentors, from having your voice mattered. Our children need relational, emotional, and spiritual fortitude to thrive. So out of the overflow of our hearts and our homes, let's strengthen the bonds of community within our realms of influence. For the continuance of the church and the faith, I am calling on pastors and parents across the nation to be part of the solution. For preschool to eighth grade options, go to Academic Rescue Mission.com. For eighth to eleventh grade options, go to Veritascc.us. And for our full university degree programs from 11th grade up, go to CVCU.us. That's True La Vista Christian University. If you're new to the show or you're homeschooling for the first time, you can catch all the episodes on my Communication Architect podcast. Just scroll back for more inspiration. Don't forget to check out my two latest books, The Mentor Method and Outsourced Why America's Kids Need an Education Revolution. Again, I'm Dr. Lisa Dunn. Thanks again for joining me on today's show. I'll be back next week with more tips and tools of the trade. We'll see you then. Thanks again for joining us here on the Communication Architect. If you have questions about today's episode, or if there are topics you'd like to see us address, send your comments via Instagram to at Dr. Lisa Dunn or via email to contact at drlisa dunn.com. That's D-L-L-I-S-A-DM-N.com. And remember, strategic communication will help you build greater emotional health and relational resilience. So don't miss the next episode. I'm Dr. Lisa Dunn, and I look forward to talking with you next time right here on the Communications Architect.