What happens when communication coaches from different generations sit down and ask who actually gets to define what great communication looks like?

Host Karin Reed tackles generational differences in communication head-on in this episode of Speaker Dynamics Own The Room, joined by mother-daughter coaching duo Laurie Schloff, President of Partners in Communication, Inc., and Hava Horowitz, Senior Coaching Partner. Between them, they bring four decades of experience, two distinct methodologies, and perspectives that don't always agree.

Laurie built her practice on research-backed frameworks and structured best practices. Hava arrived at communication coaching through business storytelling, having learned as a startup founder that her ability to articulate her story was her most valuable asset. Together, they make a strong case that finding your communication style isn't about choosing between structure and personality, it's about using one to sharpen the other.

The authenticity vs authority debate runs through the entire conversation. Laurie pushes back on the idea that winging it counts as authentic communication and offers planned spontaneity as a smarter path forward. Hava works from the inside out, helping clients identify the qualities every professional in their role needs versus the ones that belong specifically to them.

AI and authentic communication also enter the conversation in a way that might surprise you. Hava, the youngest voice in the room, is also the most skeptical of AI’s role in the field. Her argument is that as polished AI-generated content becomes the norm, the rawness of real human thinking may become a competitive advantage rather than a liability.

The generational differences in communication don't just show up in theory here. They show up in how each coach works and what each one values. This is the kind of conversation that makes you rethink what you thought you already knew about showing up and speaking up.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Generational Differences in Communication with Laurie Schloff and Hava Horowitz

01:33 Meet Laurie Schloff and Hava Horowitz: A Mother-Daughter Coaching Duo

02:29 How Business Storytelling Led Hava to a Career in Communication Coaching

06:29 Two Coaching Philosophies: Structured Best Practices vs. the Inside-Out Approach

10:18 Navigating Generational Differences in Communication and Technology

12:22 AI and Authentic Communication: Why Imperfection May Be Your Greatest Asset

15:30 How the Definition of Great Communication Has Changed Over Time

16:29 Authenticity vs. Authority: What It Really Means to Communicate Authentically

23:02 The Zig and Zag Framework: Finding Your Unique Communication Style

24:50 Key Takeaways: How to Keep Growing as a Communicator and Leader

Connect with Laurie and Hava:

Visit the Partners In Communication website

Connect with Laurie on LinkedIn

Connect with Hava on LinkedIn

Connect with Karin Reed:

Visit Speaker Dynamics

Explore Speaker Dynamics University

Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram

Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn