Before diving into the research, I want to acknowledge the practitioners and organizers whose work laid the groundwork for understanding how communication shapes outcomes. Ella Baker’s approach to participatory leadership taught us that sustainable change happens when we build systems that develop others rather than centralizing authority. Her work with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee showed how communication structures can either reinforce hierarchy or create genuine collaboration.
Similarly, Loretta Ross’s groundbreaking work on “calling in” rather than “calling out” offers a practical framework for addressing conflict without destroying relationships. Her approach to building bridges across difference reminds us that effective communication is not about avoiding difficult conversations—it is about creating structures that make those conversations productive.
These insights from community organizing connect directly to organizational communication research, providing a fuller picture of how patterns of interaction shape both individual experience and system performance.
This excerpt comes from my work-in-progress book on how organizations can move from communication breakdown to genuine connection. I’m sharing these early insights as I develop them, building on the work of practitioners and researchers who paved the way. You can read the full chapter, with complete citations, on my Substack. I’d welcome your thoughts and experiences—they help strengthen this work.