The SIXCOMMS Podcast: Elevate Your Communication Skills

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What have we learned from five episodes of exploring leadership together?

That's the question we sit with in this final episode of our special series with Vadivu Govind of Inner Wealth.

Throughout this journey, we kept returning to one idea: what servant leadership really means to us. We thought of the leaders who shaped us, some from years ago, some from childhood, some no longer here. These reflections reminded us of something simple but powerful: servant leadership isn’t about titles. It's a way of being, available to all of us, one that can transform how we show up in our communities and workplaces.

When we surround ourselves with people who share this way of being, servant leadership doesn't just survive, it spreads. Together, we can build environments where growth, collaboration, and real change take root.

Now it's your turn to reflect. As you listen, ask yourself: where do these themes show up in your own leadership? Whether you're leading a team today or just beginning to find your voice, one truth holds for all of us, we each have the power to make a difference.

We encourage you, if you haven’t already, to tune in to the five episodes that make up this series and explore the valuable resources that accompany each episode.  Thank you for listening along with us!

About Lisa Partridge: 

Lisa founded SIXCOMMS, where she works as a communication skills specialist, podcast host, and leader of walking experiences that help people build deeper connection, clarity, and confidence through meaningful conversations in nature. Her work enables individuals and teams to communicate with greater authenticity, curiosity, and compassion while strengthening relationships in an increasingly distracted world. 

About Vadivu Govind: 

Vadivu is the Founding Director of Inner Wealth, a leadership evolution organisation that enables people to cultivate the inner capacities to lead with greater care and wisdom while creating meaningful impact in an increasingly complex world. In the age of AI, her work reminds people what it means to be human.

Timestamps

[00:02:28] Leadership through turbulent times.

[00:06:51] Redefining leadership on personal terms.

[00:12:07] Higher-purpose friendship circles.

[00:14:32] Authentic self and servant leadership.

Connect with us:

Websites: https://www.sixcomms.org/ | http://innerwealth.global/

Emails: [email protected] | [email protected]

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasing/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/vadivugovind/

Support the show

Download our 6Cs Guide to a Thriving Communicator and you will receive our monthly newsletter!

Send us Fan Mail

What changes when we put love at the centre of our own leadership journey?

It's not a pairing we hear often, but maybe it should be. Transforming today's leadership culture takes more than pointing at flawed leaders; it takes a collective commitment to love and support one another, especially when we spot behaviours that neglect service to others.

That's because our norms and structures are co-created by all of us. Once we recognise our own role in enabling certain behaviours, we gain the power to change them. Healing flawed leadership isn't the leader's job alone. It's shared work that calls for compassion, understanding, and everyone showing up.

Trauma and harsh judgment can make love and compassion harder to access. But naming and walking through those barriers dismantles them and makes room for collective healing and growth.

This is Episode 5 of 6, a special series co-hosted with Vadivu Govind of Inner Wealth

About Lisa Partridge: 

Lisa founded SIXCOMMS, where she works as a communication skills specialist, podcast host, and leader of walking experiences that help people build deeper connection, clarity, and confidence through meaningful conversations in nature. Her work enables individuals and teams to communicate with greater authenticity, curiosity, and compassion while strengthening relationships in an increasingly distracted world. 

About Vadivu Govind: 

Vadivu is the Founding Director of Inner Wealth, a leadership evolution organisation that enables people to cultivate the inner capacities to lead with greater care and wisdom while creating meaningful impact in an increasingly complex world. In the age of AI, her work reminds people what it means to be human.

Timestamps: 

[00:00:26] Love is a verb.

[00:08:43] Collective responsibility for leadership.

[00:19:29] Love and leadership connection.

[00:21:29] The power of unconditional love.

Resources & Practice: Here is the link to this episode's resource list: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GeCWHjXu8IGZuds7O-EvRE2VmCyNV6vn/view?usp=drive_link

Connect with us:

Websites: https://www.sixcomms.org/ | http://innerwealth.global/

Emails: [email protected] | [email protected]

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasing/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/vadivugovind/

Support the show

Download our 6Cs Guide to a Thriving Communicator and you will receive our monthly newsletter!

Send us Fan Mail

How do we develop leaders who create lasting positive impact rather than unintended harm? And what role do educators play in shaping the leaders our world needs?

In this episode, we explore why leadership selection is just as important as leadership development, and the importance of one’s inner life, wellbeing and orientation towards the greater good in leadership and educator development. 

Together, we discuss the value of healing and growth, drawing on insights from Parker Palmer, Dr. Thomas Hübl, and inspiring examples from education. We also examine how supporting educators and leaders in their own inner growth can create ripple effects that strengthen organisations, communities, and future generations.

This is Episode 4 of 6, a special series co-hosted with Vadivu Govind of Inner Wealth

About Lisa Partridge: 

Lisa founded SIXCOMMS, where she works as a communication skills specialist, podcast host, and leader of walking experiences that help people build deeper connection, clarity, and confidence through meaningful conversations in nature. Her work enables individuals and teams to communicate with greater authenticity, curiosity, and compassion while strengthening relationships in an increasingly distracted world. 

About Vadivu Govind: 

Vadivu is the Founding Director of Inner Wealth, a leadership evolution organisation that enables people to cultivate the inner capacities to lead with greater care and wisdom while creating meaningful impact in an increasingly complex world. In the age of AI, her work reminds people what it means to be human.

Timestamps: 

[00:02:33] Leadership selection and development.

[00:06:18] Healing in leadership development.

[00:10:49] Lighthouse organizations.

[00:15:51] Inspiring qualities of teachers.

[00:20:36] Educator well-being and systems.

Resources & Practice: Here is the link to this episode's resource list: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JaN-NMOAqODnMqiQDBY-bKzpW0512sL8/view?usp=drive_link

Connect with us:

Websites: https://www.sixcomms.org/ | http://innerwealth.global/

Emails: [email protected] | [email protected]

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasing/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/vadivugovind/

Support the show

Download our 6Cs Guide to a Thriving Communicator and you will receive our monthly newsletter!

Send us Fan Mail

How do we develop leaders who create lasting positive impact rather than unintended harm? And what role do educators play in shaping the leaders our world needs?

In this episode, we explore why leadership selection is just as important as leadership development, and the importance of one’s inner life, wellbeing and orientation towards the greater good in leadership and educator development. 

Together, we discuss the value of healing and growth, drawing on insights from Parker Palmer, Dr. Thomas Hübl, and inspiring examples from education. We also examine how supporting educators and leaders in their own inner growth can create ripple effects that strengthen organisations, communities, and future generations.

This is Episode 3 of 6, a special series co-hosted with Vadivu Govind of Inner Wealth.

About Lisa Partridge: 

Lisa founded SIXCOMMS, where she works as a communication skills specialist, podcast host, and leader of walking experiences that help people build deeper connection, clarity, and confidence through meaningful conversations in nature. Her work enables individuals and teams to communicate with greater authenticity, curiosity, and compassion while strengthening relationships in an increasingly distracted world. 

About Vadivu Govind: 

Vadivu is the Founding Director of Inner Wealth, a leadership evolution organisation that enables people to cultivate the inner capacities to lead with greater care and wisdom while creating meaningful impact in an increasingly complex world. In the age of AI, her work reminds people what it means to be human.

Timestamps: 

[00:03:19] Moral courage in leadership.

[00:06:01] Moral courage and inner dialogue.

[00:10:07] Authentic connections through shared values.

[00:14:02] Ecosystem of support and connection.

[00:18:59] Higher purpose friendship.

[00:23:09] Servants who could lead.

[00:27:37] Leadership beyond the workplace.

Resources & Practice: Here is the link to this episode's resource list: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dIuzMkPSbK2wFwdLMcOADCAKrqfgL-IZ/view?usp=drive_link

Connect with us:

Websites: https://www.sixcomms.org/ | http://innerwealth.global/

Emails: [email protected] | [email protected]

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasing/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/vadivugovind/

Support the show

Download our 6Cs Guide to a Thriving Communicator and you will receive our monthly newsletter!

Send us Fan Mail

What if the feelings we try to push aside are actually trying to tell us something important?

In this episode, we discuss why honoring our feelings matters, how to uncover the unmet needs behind them, and how this self-awareness can fuel positive change in our spheres of influence. Through personal stories and a practical exercise, we invite you to reflect on your own feelings and needs, and how they can become a source of strength and service in your leadership journey.

We also share about a form of leadership that can have a more healing and elevating effect on society, and we will explore this further in future episodes. 

This is Episode 2 of 6, a special series co-hosted with Vadivu Govind of Inner Wealth

About Lisa Partridge: 

Lisa founded SIXCOMMS, where she works as a communication skills specialist, podcast host, and leader of walking experiences that help people build deeper connection, clarity, and confidence through meaningful conversations in nature. Her work enables individuals and teams to communicate with greater authenticity, curiosity, and compassion while strengthening relationships in an increasingly distracted world. 

About Vadivu Govind: 

Vadivu is the Founding Director of Inner Wealth, a leadership evolution organisation that enables people to cultivate the inner capacities to lead with greater care and wisdom while creating meaningful impact in an increasingly complex world. In the age of AI, her work reminds people what it means to be human.

Timestamps: 

[00:03:12] Role of Feelings in Leadership
[00:05:07] Personal Story: Art Therapy and Leadership
[00:08:16] Identifying Unmet Needs
[00:09:22] Addressing Conflict in Personal Spheres
[00:12:16] Empowerment Through Identifying Feelings
[00:14:17] Personal Reflection: Writing and Healing
[00:26:11] Updating the View of Leadership
[00:32:58] Effectiveness of Servant Leadership
[00:34:01] Interactive Experiment for Listeners

Resources & Practice: Here is the link to this episode's resource list as well as the process we went through in identifying our feelings and unmet needs: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VGvEbzPxsB3PUAMmPOxmYZHNCRlUT_Nz/view?usp=drive_link

Connect with us:

Websites: https://www.sixcomms.org/ | http://innerwealth.global/

Emails: [email protected] | [email protected]

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasing/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/vadivugovind/

Support the show

Download our 6Cs Guide to a Thriving Communicator and you will receive our monthly newsletter!

Send us Fan Mail

What if the chaos we're living through isn't just a crisis, but an invitation?

In this opening episode, we ask a question most leadership conversations skip: what's happening inside us, and how is that shaping the world around us?

We explore how an imbalanced relationship to the material world erodes our collective wellbeing, what trauma has to do with our global crises, how these crises can awaken our wiser leadership, and how an unlikely coffee conversation sparked this entire six-part series.

This is Episode 1 of 6 of a special series co-hosted with Vadivu Govind of Inner Wealth.

Real leadership starts from within. This is where we begin.

About Lisa Partridge: 

Lisa founded SIXCOMMS, where she works as a communication skills specialist, podcast host, and leader of walking experiences that help people build deeper connection, clarity, and confidence through meaningful conversations in nature. Her work enables individuals and teams to communicate with greater authenticity, curiosity, and compassion while strengthening relationships in an increasingly distracted world. 

About Vadivu Govind: 

Vadivu is the Founding Director of Inner Wealth, a leadership evolution organisation that enables people to cultivate the inner capacities to lead with greater care and wisdom while creating meaningful impact in an increasingly complex world. In the age of AI, her work reminds people what it means to be human.

Timestamps: 

[00:07:48] Materialism and its consequences.

[00:10:20] Inner leadership vs. external influences.

[00:15:15] Childhood trauma and its impact.

[00:20:46] Embodying compassion in customer service.

[00:28:47] Connection, curiosity, and compassion.

[00:30:12] The power of love.

[00:34:51] Back to basics and the “water well” metaphor

[00:41:08] Empowered leadership through collaboration

Resources & Practice: 

Here is the link to all the resources we mention in this podcast as well as the practice we recommend after listening to this episode: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YtxrTPtZ8GafX8FWI_l1LWJw4tIBZRBd/view?usp=drive_link

Connect with us:

Websites: https://www.sixcomms.org/ | http://innerwealth.global/

Emails: [email protected] | [email protected]

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasing/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/vadivugovind/

Support the show

Download our 6Cs Guide to a Thriving Communicator and you will receive our monthly newsletter!

Send us Fan Mail

We’re celebrating 80 episodes of The SIXCOMMS Podcast!

A huge thank-you to all my incredible guests and to you, our listeners from around the world. Your curiosity and support is very much appreciated.

It’s amazing to think it all began with me, a complete novice, walking around my local reservoir, inspired by other podcasters and deciding to just hit record!

From those first 10 episodes with close friends (including my dad!) to co-hosting a season with the brilliant Melanie Staunton, spotlighting inspiring voices from Singapore, and interviewing talented authors and seasoned speakers, it’s been an incredible learning journey.

One thing has stayed constant: my curiosity about the Six Cs of Effective Communication and how they can help us all become better communicators.

In this milestone episode, I share six key lessons from podcasting, viewed through the lens of the Six Cs, along with practical tips to help you start, grow, or strengthen your own podcast with authenticity and impact.

Tune in, celebrate with me, and let me know which episode or guest has inspired you most!

Timestamps:

00:00:55 - The Six C's of Effective Communication
00:01:17 - The Story Behind the Podcast
00:03:05 - Connection
00:03:47 - Tip 1: Chemistry Test Call
00:04:08 - Curiosity
00:04:31 - Tip 2: Channeled Curiosity
00:04:52 - Compassion
00:05:23 - Tip 3: Thoughtful Gestures
00:06:07 - Clarity
00:06:28 - Tip 4: Preparing Thoroughly
00:07:00 - Customization
00:07:11 - Tip 5: Audience Profile
00:07:22 - Consistency
00:07:42 - Tip 6: Realistic Scheduling
00:08:04 - Recap of Six Tips
00:08:25 - Applying the Six C's Beyond Podcasting
00:09:39 - Reflection Questions

Resources: 

Download your 6 Cs to a Thriving Communicator guide and subscribe to our monthly email newsletter: here!

Tune into Episode 70: 

How We Make Conversations Count: Learning Through Podcasting 

Happy listening!

Connect with Lisa: 

Website: https://www.sixcomms.org/

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasing/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sixcomms_podcast/

If you’d prefer to watch episodes, check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@sixcommsconversations2025

Support the show

Download our 6Cs Guide to a Thriving Communicator and you will receive our monthly newsletter!

Send us Fan Mail

If you're looking to enhance your presentation skills and make a lasting impression, this episode is a must-listen! 

Kirun's curiosity sits at the intersection of brain science, leadership, and education to nudge how people feel, think and act. Having delivered over 1400 keynotes and workshops reaching over 100,000 professionals worldwide, he gives practical tools to help leaders navigate themselves, their teams, and organisations with intention. He's the host of the BrainTools Podcast, making cognitive science actionable and is a Senior Facilitator with Harvard Business Publishing; bridging leadership theory and practice with Fortune 500 companies.

Here are just a couple of tips Kirun shares: 

The Power of the Expectation Gap: Kiran shares the importance of breaking the audience's expectations during a pitch. By doing something unexpected, like starting with reasons not to invest, speakers can capture attention and create a memorable experience. This principle can be applied not just in pitches but in all forms of communication!

The Importance of Curiosity: a powerful quote from Harvard professor Clayton Christensen: "Without a good question, an answer has no place to live." This highlights the significance of curiosity in our interactions. By asking the right questions and genuinely seeking to understand our audience, we can tailor our pitches to meet their needs and foster a deeper connection. Curiosity not only enhances our communication but also opens the door to new insights and opportunities.

Post-listening reflection question:

How might you apply the idea of the “expectation gap” to your own pitches, presentations, or everyday communication?

Timestamps:

00:01:55 - Memorable Pitches and the Expectation Gap
00:03:21 - Structuring a Clear and Compelling Pitch
00:04:55 - The Importance of Emotional Connection
00:07:27 - Engaging with Numbers in a Pitch
00:09:43 - Using Hot Button Words Effectively
00:12:23 - Common Mistakes in Pitching
00:13:52 - The Power of Premortems
00:15:56 - Leveraging Micro-Commitments
00:16:08 - Enhancing Pitches with Body Language and Tone
00:19:36 - Balancing Authenticity and Preparation
00:22:27 - Techniques for Staying Confident and Adaptable
00:26:32 - Recap of Key Techniques

Resources: 

Download the 6Cs of a Thriving Communicator Guide here!

Brain Tools Podcast: https://braintools.podbean.com/

Persuade Better with Brain Science 

Build Confidence with Brain Science 

Connect with Kirun: 

Website: https://www.kirungoy.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirungoy/

Connect with Lisa: 

Website: https://www.sixcomms.org/

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasing/

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@sixcommsconversations2025

Support the show

Download our 6Cs Guide to a Thriving Communicator and you will receive our monthly newsletter!

Send us Fan Mail

If you’ve heard of Executive Presence and aren’t really sure what it is and how it can help you, this episode is for you!

Sharmini Suthan has 30 years of experience sculpting confident communicators and is the Managing Partner at BeInClarity. She’s a Master Trainer for the globally renowned Think on Your Feet® programme and an accredited practitioner for SoundWave® Global.

Here are just a couple of takeaways from our conversation: 

The Framework of Executive Presence: Appearance accounts for only 5% of executive presence, communication makes up 28%, and gravitas holds 67%! This breakdown emphasizes that how we communicate and the gravitas we bring to our interactions are far more impactful than our physical appearance. We can all work on our communication skills and the way we carry ourselves to enhance our presence as leaders.

The Power of Voice: Sharm shares her own insightful journey in learning about her voice, how it has been perceived by her work colleagues, and the significance of this.  By becoming more aware of our vocal strategies, whether we are advising, suggesting, or asking, we can better connect with our audience and foster a sense of trust and safety. 

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode!

Reflect on this question: How do you think your communication style influences the trust and safety others feel when interacting with you?

Timestamps:

00:02:05 - Defining Executive Presence
00:02:53 - Sharm's Journey to Understanding Executive Presence
00:03:26 - Discovering Sylvia Ann Hewlett's Framework
00:04:08 - The Venn Diagram of Executive Presence
00:06:33 - Clarifying Gravitas
00:07:03 - The Impact of Gravitas on Others
00:09:07 - The Myth of Being Born with Executive Presence
00:10:18 - Balancing Confidence, Warmth, Strength, and Approachability
00:10:57 - Sharm's Personal Experience with Voice Perception
00:12:42 - The Role of Voice in Perception and Communication
00:14:34 - Using Voice Strategies to Build Trust and Safety
00:21:01 - The ASK Framework: Awareness, Skill, Knowledge
00:25:08 - The Role of Compassion in Leadership
00:26:01 - Defining Compassion and Its Application
00:27:09 - Empathy and Trust in Gravitas
00:28:01 - Using Voice to Project Compassion
00:30:25 - Becoming Best Friends with Your Voice
00:32:32 - Practical Tips for Developing Executive Presence
00:36:26 - Planning and Influencing Your Development

Resources: 

• Executive Presence 2.0, Sylvia Ann Hewlett
• Presence, Amy Cuddy
• Emotional Equations, Chip Conley
• SoundWave https://soundwave.global/personal-growth-and-professional-development/#search/sharmini/_blank

Connect with Sharmini: 

• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharmini-suthan/

Connect with Lisa: 

• Website: https://www.sixcomms.org/
• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasing/

If you’d prefer to watch episodes, check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@sixcommsconversations2025

Support the show

Download our 6Cs Guide to a Thriving Communicator and you will receive our monthly newsletter!

Send us Fan Mail

If you’re curious to learn how the five pathways of being, loving, serving, growing, and playing can lead to a more meaningful life and inspire those around you. This episode is for you!

Vadivu Govind is a vision and space holder evolving our understanding of wealth beyond the financial.  “Inner wealth” reminds us all of the intangibles such as universal love, service and character growth that bring us true, collective wellbeing”. She is the Founding Director of Inner Wealth, a purpose-led consultancy that nurtures life-giving leadership, workplaces, education and changemaking.

Here are just a couple of takeaways from our conversation: 

The Ripple Effect of Kindness: Vadivu shared that communication is an act of service, and by being mindful of our words and actions, we can positively impact others. Imagine the transformation in our workplaces and communities if we all committed to this practice! Let’s be the catalysts for change by embodying kindness and compassion in our daily interactions.

Creating Meaningful Connections: Vadivu highlights the importance of connection, not just with others, but with ourselves. She encourages us to check in with our own values and motivations, and to surround ourselves with individuals who embody the qualities we aspire to cultivate. By building a personal universe of "inner billionaires," we can support each other in our journeys toward growth and service. This connection is vital for fostering a fulfilling and human-centered culture in our workplaces.

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode!

What does ‘inner wealth’ mean to you, and how are you currently nurturing it in your daily life?

Timestamps:

00:02:09: Defining Inner Billionaire Heartset
00:05:03: Pathways to Inner Wealth
00:09:56: Practical Impact of Inner Billionaire Heartset
00:13:05: Cultivating Transformative Dialogue
00:13:27: Device-Free Presence
00:14:42: Power of Appreciation
00:16:06: Vulnerability and Compassionate Listening
00:17:31: Embracing Silence
00:22:31: Integrating Love, Service, and Growth at Work
00:25:50: Taxi Driver Story
00:28:04: Transforming Customer Service
00:30:10: Realistic Workplace Changes
00:32:44: Addressing Pessimism in the Workplace
00:35:18: Practical Tips for Inner Billionaire Heartset

Addendum: The three questions, “Did I give and receive love? Did I become all I can be? Did I leave the planet a little better?” were what Dr Elisabeth-Kubler Ross found people asked themselves to determine whether their life had been meaningful as reported in “Whistle While You Work” by Richard J. Leider and David A. Shapiro.

Resources: 

Curated Resources

Connect with Vadivu: 

• Website: http://innerwealth.global/
• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vadivugovind/

Connect with Lisa: 

• Website: https://www.sixcomms.org/
• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasing/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sixcommsconversations2025

Support the show

Download our 6Cs Guide to a Thriving Communicator and you will receive our monthly newsletter!