We believe communication is not a project, it’s a relationship. If relationships happen between people, design thinking really is the approach best suited for the subject. Design thinking is a human-centric approach to problem-solving that begins with empathy. Empathy begets emotion and emotion is an essential ingredient of an effective story based on the neuroscience that we know. Design thinking allows us to incorporate human-centric problem solving with science-based storytelling. We believe this is the perfect approach to creating communication campaigns that move the needle forward.

Dr. Redwine chats with the H2duO about the DNA of great storytelling. We love that it's an acronym—F.U.T.U.R.E: familiarity, unexpected, tactile, universal, relatable, emotional. Lots of knowledge, fun, music, and laughs.

Mark Poling chats with us about a cornucopia of professional development areas. We chat about workforce, leadership, mentoring, psychological safety at work, plus the power of saying yes when you're asked to get involved. You never know where that path may take you and the amazing people you meet along the way.

Mark Poling chats with us about a cornucopia of professional development areas. We chat about workforce, leadership, mentoring, psychological safety at work, plus the power of saying yes when you're asked to get involved. You never know where that path may take you and the amazing people you meet along the way.

Dr. Sarah Martin chats with the H2duO about ways government entities can work to attract and retain employees. We also chat about the public health perspective on water issues and how the community benefits when utilities and public health agencies work together.

Karen reminds us to communicate early and often. If you have bad news, communicate even more. A more informed citizenry can result in more support on important issues. We also chat about the subconscious lizard brain, the amygdala, that controls 90% of your brain's processing power. This is why it's so important that when crafting our messages, we do so with the lizard brain in mind. After all, "We are not thinking machines that feel, we are feeling machines that think."

If you think communicating the value of water is difficult, try talking about what happens AFTER the water is used. We chat with Aaron about the challenges that come with communicating on this side of the water industry. We also talk about the value of being interdisciplinary. More perspectives around the table draw more ideas and divergent thinking that lends itself to more effective and innovative solutions. As we innovate our way out of some of the biggest challenges facing water, we have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable and accepting that the way we’ve always done it may not be the best way to do it moving forward. We have to support one another through this evolution if we truly want the revolution required to take our industry to the next level.

If you think communicating the value of water is difficult, try talking about what happens AFTER the water is used. We chat with Aaron about the challenges that come with communicating on this side of the water industry. We also talk about the value of being interdisciplinary. More perspectives around the table draw more ideas and divergent thinking that lends itself to more effective and innovative solutions. As we innovate our way out of some of the biggest challenges facing water, we have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable and accepting that the way we’ve always done it may not be the best way to do it moving forward. We have to support one another through this evolution if we truly want the revolution required to take our industry to the next level.

Chris Caro is a project engineer in the AECOM Baltimore office, with 6 years of experience in the sewer project management field. He is currently a member of AECOM’s DC Metro+ DCS team. Chris’ responsibilities include planning, designing, construction, and commissioning water and wastewater systems. Mr. Caro previously worked as a Project Manager at WSSC…

Brianna Huber worked in the public health field for 13 years before exploring the environmental side of public health. She has been a licensed Class A chemist for the City of East Moline Water Filtration Plant for five years ago. Her tenure in the water industry may be short but her list of involvement is…