What is Your Story?
I have spent decades listening to people's stories. Within seconds I can sense the passion, the authenticity, and the inaccuracies. In news, those were red flags. Someone was hiding something, or they weren't sure what the truth was. In business, it just means someone doesn't fully understand their own story yet.
The problem is, people sense that. You see it when an investor passes but can't explain why, or when your audience checks out before you've finished. Maybe you posted something on social and got nothing back. The story just feels off.
Over the years I have seen more leaders get this wrong than right. These are intelligent, hard working people who just needed help finding the language for what they believe.
That is what I do. I help people who are trying to make a real difference in the world find clarity. Because in communication, clarity is kindness. And it starts with knowing who you are and what you are trying to do.
Read articles and thought leadership by Kim Fischer:
What Makes This Different
Most communications consultants help you polish the message.
That's not what this is.
Sixteen years in journalism taught me to spot the "BS." I know within minutes if a leader is unclear on their story.
The work is project based. Some clients need focused preparation for a single high-stakes moment. Others bring me in as an embedded communications partner. Those engagements can run three to eighteen months. The engagement depends on your need.
Once we get clarity around what you believe, the words fall into place.
What I Know To Be True
Clarity is kindness.
When you are clear, people don't have to work so hard. Clarity removes the burden from the audience. They don't have to guess what you mean because you did the work for them.
Leaders speak like practitioners. Your audiences don't.
The things that make you brilliant in your field often make you confusing everywhere else. Letting go of your industry language may feel like you're giving something up, but you're actually gaining an audience.
Agreement is not alignment.
Nodding heads in a meeting does not mean the team agrees. Usually, it means the opposite. I dig until I find the real disconnect, because you cannot build a message without a strong foundation.
The story must be true. We don't spin.
We don't polish a message that doesn't reflect reality. Instead, we find the truth. That is the only story that holds up under pressure.
In The Press
A career built in public tends to leave a record. Here's some of it.
How I Help Leaders
From CEO coaching to improving your message, there are many ways I help leaders like you communicate what you do more clearly.
Watch these clips from the Jeff Crilley Show to learn more.
Finding your message
Improving your website
CEO Coaching