Impactful Communication: Shakti Rios Of PHNX Legacy On 5 Essential Techniques for Becoming an Effective Communicator
An Interview With Athalia Monae
Relax your body & Lean in. Body language is huge and it’s felt EVEN online. When my clients start to share this story I will often lean in and listen to let them know that I’m WITH them.
In an age dominated by digital communication, the power of articulate and effective verbal communication cannot be understated. Whether it’s delivering a keynote address, leading a team meeting, or engaging in a one-on-one conversation, impactful speaking can open doors, inspire change, and create lasting impressions. But what truly sets apart an effective communicator? What techniques and nuances elevate a speech from mundane to memorable? As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Shakti Rios.
Shakti Rios, a certified Human Design Business & Career Analyst and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Practitioner, lights the way for those craving alignment & embodied success.
With 14 years diving deep into healing, trauma resolution, and spiritual growth in entrepreneurship, she champions individuals to embrace their unique path — their dharma — melding Human Design and EFT to break free from mental and emotional confines, forging a genuine path to triumph.
Her core belief? That inherent genius resides within all, driving her relentless commitment to unfurling clients’ true potential. Shakti Rios isn’t just an entrepreneur; she’s a guide of transformation.
Her quest is crystal: unveiling the cosmic genius within each person, nurturing a universe where fulfilled, empowered souls gleam with their pure brilliance.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about communication, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
An unusual amount of disappointment & difficulty. As a child of Cuban immigrants who also happened to be born with a life endangering congenital heart defect, I was immediately brought into a world of adversity and challenge. There was a constant resilience that was sort of programmed into me by my upbringing and my visceral experiences. I also understood very early on that life was pretty magical because somehow I was alive when I shouldn’t have been and had a deep desire to want to teach that and help others. From the time I was like 5 years old, I knew I wanted to be a boss and help people in some significant way. I was also a deeply spiritual child and always felt an anchored sense of faith. I think the combination of all that really put me on path to now serve others in finding things like purpose, direction and inner genius despite adversity.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
I think one of the most interesting things that has happened to me since starting this particular branch of my work has been the deeply humbling effect it’s had on me as a person and a parent.
Because I work with adults who have so much grief and challenge that stems from early years of their life, it’s made me really deeply reflective of my own relationship to my children and the legacy I want to leave them. I can’t say it’s made the job easier — by any means. It’s required so much internal work and radical self reflection, but it has made me far more humble and willing to admit fault and pivot when needed.
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
I love this question, so much.
1. Curiosity. My ability to stay curious about why things didn’t work out the way I had hoped, or why someone has given me the feedback they have — versus, getting defensive or shutting down has been a massive tool of importance in my success. Curiosity keeps us open and looking, this way we don’t miss out on a good thing.
2. Connection. So much of what I’ve been able to achieve and learn and become has been a result of staying connected to really good people. Good mentors, good friends, good family. People who saw me, loved me and wanted me to win. It’s also what brought amazing resources into my work.
3. Emotional Resilience. My work has really shown me that our emotions control everything. Whether we are conscious of it or not, they produce a filter through which we experience the world. The more I have learned to regulate my emotions and expand my capacity to navigate challenges and difficulty, the more success I have found.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Let’s begin with a basic definition so that we are all on the same page. How would you define an “Effective Communicator?” What are the characteristics of an effective communicator?
I define an effective communicator as someone who listens with the intention of actually understanding and speaks with the intention of connecting. I would recognize an effective communicator by their level of presence with the person they are communicating with, how much they are able to pause and assess what they’re hearing, and how many questions they ask with the intention of having clarity.
How can one tailor their communication style to different audiences or situations?
I think stepping in simply with the intention to understand and being committed to understanding even if you don’t agree, or have a different perspective is the key to being effective in ANY situation.
Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt your communication style to reach a particular audience successfully?
DAILY with my children. Ha! I have two small children a 2 yr old and an 8 yr old and they are honestly my greatest test for this. Working on communication without escalating or dominating has been one of my greatest learning lessons as a parent.
I also work with trauma clients every day and often situations that I can’t relate to personally, so it becomes imperative that I take my time to listen, reflect what I hear and make sure I understand what the core issue is that they are needing support with so I can effectively treat them.
How do you handle difficult or sensitive conversations while maintaining open and effective communication?
The first thing I do is open my body. I relax my body, my jaw, and take a deep breath. This allows me to stay present and IN the conversation. It’s not always possible. Sometimes I get in my head also. But I try to remember to be in my body. Then I really work at staying quiet. Being quiet enough to actually listen. I table my thoughts, opinions, until I can get centered enough in what I’m listening to. That wasn’t always the case, by the way. I was always first to jump and defend and react. So this practice of having to come into my body and be with it has been powerfully helpful.
In your experience, how does storytelling play a role in impactful speaking? Why do you think stories are effective in communication?
I think stories have a strong morphic field resonance with us because they have been historically THE way we have communicated history & hope with each other. So I think epigenetically we are wired to be receptive to them.
But on a more immediate level, stories allow for relevance and connection. It allows us to relate and see ourselves in the message.
What are your “5 Essential Techniques for Becoming an Effective Communicator”?
1 . Listen to Understand. Regardless of whether you agree or don’t, intend to understand not to respond.
2 . Relax your body & Lean in. Body language is huge and it’s felt EVEN online. When my clients start to share this story I will often lean in and listen to let them know that I’m WITH them.
3 . Pause before you speak. Take a moment. Breath. And then speak. Don’t feel pressure to answer or respond. Take your time. We could all use a little slower of a template when it comes to relating.
4 . Get vulnerable. Don’t be afraid of sharing something that feels a bit vulnerable in order to create a bridge between you and someone else. Vulnerability is often received really well and it allows the other person to let their guard down.
5 . Appreciate an opportunity to grow. Appreciate the moment of connection, learning, or solution finding. Appreciate that you GET TO discover how to connect with another person or other people even if it feels a little edgy. The edgy conversations grow us the most.
How do you integrate non-verbal cues into your communication? Can you provide an example of its importance?
This is so important. Some key things I implement are leaning in when a client is sharing something important with me, talking with my hands, nodding my head, holding my heart when something deeply impacts me that has been shared. I also sit with my chest open — no arms crossed. All of this ensures my client or my audience knows I’m engaged and present.
How has digital communication changed the way you convey your messages? Are there any specific challenges or advantages you’ve encountered?
It has required that I become a more eloquent storyteller, honestly. I’ve had to really consider what is MEANINGFUL to share online. I worry less about how often I’m sharing and more about how meaningful something is that I am sharing.
This era has made people really aware of scammy and inauthentic communication. So I take my time with communication to make sure I understand my motivation behind what I’m saying and share that effectively.
Public speaking is a common fear. What techniques or strategies do you recommend to manage and overcome stage fright?
I’m an EFT Practitioner so — tapping! Ha! I tap on everything. It is SO effective for handling fears, especially like public speaking. A short tapping session like 5 minutes can be enough!
What additional resources do you recommend for individuals looking to improve communication skills?
Looking into non-violent communication training, mindfulness exercises and somatic healing therapies (like EFT) would support anyone in becoming a more mindful and effective communicator.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
The PHNX Legacy is that movement. My core belief is that when we truly know ourselves, when we are willing to go within, look within, accept accountability within and heal — we become organically more empathic individuals towards others because we KNOW our own shadows and hurts. By cultivating self recognition & self empathy, we set up a world of individuals who are capable of extending that to others, thereby reducing the amount of harm and hurt in the world which is one of my biggest desires.
How can our readers further follow you online?
All my work is on my site www.phnxlegacy.com or instagram www.instagram.com/phnx__shakti
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
Thank you so much. It was a pleasure.
About the Interviewer: Athalia Monae is a product creator, published author, entrepreneur, advocate for Feed Our Starving Children, contributing writer for Entrepreneur Media, and founder of Pouches By Alahta.
