April 01, 2025

Balancing Art and Science: Crafting Powerful Leadership Communication with Lisa Colella, Managing Director at CRA Admired Leadership

46 minutes

This episode features an interview with Lisa Colella, Managing Director of Strategic Communications & Leadership Advisory at CRA Admired Leadership. With more than 18 years of professional experience, Lisa has worked with clients across agency, consultancy, and in-house settings. Her portfolio spans multiple industries, including fast-moving consumer goods, financial services, healthcare, and more. Previously, she was the Founder and CEO of a boutique consultancy and Global Head of Talent Communications and Marketing at Philips.

In this episode, Simpplr’s Vice President of Corporate Communications and Employee Experience Strategy, Carolyn Clark, and Lisa discuss balancing formal and informal communication for effective leadership, the challenges and benefits of integrating AI tools into leadership practices, and how behavioral science and creativity can improve communication strategies.

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“ The people that excel at creating meaning, not just transmitting information, they understand that communication isn't about just town halls and emails. But, really how they show up every day and that there is science to say if they show up in a way that is credible, they're highly competent. That they're likable in one way, shape, or form, generally likable and they are consistent. That they have a frequently and predictable drumbeat of presence that people can create what we call parasocial relationships. Which is, everyone feels like they have a relationship with the CEO, even though they might see them in a town hall once a year.” – Lisa Colella

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Episode Timestamps:

*(02:33): Getting to know Lisa

*(07:27): Lisa’s career journey

*(12:42): Balancing informal and formal communication

*(19:12): How psychology influences communication

*(32:24): How CRA is navigating the AI space

*(38:29): Blending science and creativity for better communication strategies

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Links:

Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn

Learn more about CRA Admired Leadership