Communicating Effectively in the US and Abroad

One of the most rewarding aspects of the work we do is having the opportunity to train professionals with communications skills and then see them advance in their abilities to connect with important audiences. We get to take students from being nervous and often unfamiliar with the dos and don'ts of messaging and bridging, to confident spokespeople ready to address media and stakeholders.

My colleague Karen Heinold and I had the pleasure of serving as instructors to 30 maritime officers from countries spanning the world last week at the International Maritime Officers School at the U.S. Coast Guard training center in Yorktown, Va. 

For three full days, we taught the basics of interacting with media, messaging and bridging techniques, and the principles of risk communication.

In addition to our communications course, these officers receive an in-depth overview of U.S. Coast Guard organization, planning and management of its missions during their multi-week stay in the United States. 

At the close of our course, students graciously shared compliments and kind words of gratitude for the experience. We're equally grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the group and are eager to see our graduates put their skills to good use in the future.