The Engagement Agent

How you show up for your stakeholders, whether they're on your fence line or online, is a key factor in maintaining your license to operate.In the latest episode of The Engagement Agent podcast, we break down why the second half of the 3rd quarter is an ideal time for fieldwork and community outreach. We discuss:Why this natural transition period is the perfect time for field visits and local in-person engagement.The power of actively listening to your stakeholders, partners, and neighbors, before you ever tackle a tough project or issue.The benefits of using your organizational values and documented community needs to guide strategic philanthropic investments.Connect with the hosts on LinkedIn:⁠ Barbara Leatherwood ⁠(Hummingbird Communications)  ⁠Rachael Moore⁠ (Liberty Plain Consulting)

In this new series, we explore how to maintain your social license to operate, and our first episode begins with an inside-out strategy.Before you can successfully engage with the public, your internal culture must be well-aligned, ensuring your organization is proactively ready for external engagement.In this episode, we discuss:Inside-out strategy: Why ensuring your internal organization is proactively ready must happen before external engagement.The ultimate brand ambassadors: How fostering an internal culture of trust, transparency, and respect effectively transforms your employees into your most powerful community advocates.Culture shifts: How to identify the exact elements of your company culture that need to change right now.Reputation training: Practical ways to train your workforce to become effective, confident communicators.Connect with the hosts on LinkedIn:⁠ Barbara Leatherwood ⁠(Hummingbird Communications)  ⁠Rachael Moore⁠ (Liberty Plain Consulting)

Once you have a handle on your metrics and you've recalibrated your plans, it’s time to activate the proven engagement tactics that will help you finish the year strong.In the final part of our agility series, Barbara Leatherwood of Hummingbird Communications and Rachael Moore of Liberty Plain Consulting address ways to build momentum in the next quarter.We discuss:Less is more: Why focusing on strategic, substantive messaging is far more effective than simply creating more content.Audience mapping: How to evaluate and update your stakeholder map to reflect your current reality.Messaging audits: Why analyzing your communications naturally follows stakeholder mapping to ensure alignment.Surround sound of support: The importance of a multi-channel approach so you never have to rely on a single avenue to reach your audience.Whether you are looking at ways to scale your existing work, or manage a change in direction, this conversation provides practical guidance to help you deliver on your 2026 goals.Connect with the hosts on LinkedIn: Barbara Leatherwood (Hummingbird Communications)  Rachael Moore (Liberty Plain Consulting)

How to Adjust Your 2026 Plan for Unprecedented TimesNow that you have your first-half data, it’s time to take a hard look at your yearly and quarterly plans. In the second part of our agility series, Barbara Leatherwood of Hummingbird Communications and Rachael Moore of Liberty Plain Consulting explore how leaders can successfully recalibrate and deliver on realistic goals for the rest of 2026.We discuss:How to maximize strengths if you’re exceeding your targets — and how to identify potential challenges.Actionable steps for re-aligning your strategy if you aren’t quite where you expected to be.The critical importance of clarifying decision-making and delegating authority when pivoting in real-time.Whether you are gracefully staying on course or navigating unexpected roadblocks, this conversation provides the practical guidance you need to adjust your execution for the second half of the year.

How to measure performance, adjust, and drive results in 2H 2026.How do you know if your organization is measuring what truly matters? In the premiere episode of The Engagement Agent, Barbara Leatherwood of Hummingbird Communications and Rachael Moore of Liberty Plain Consulting explore why today's leaders must move beyond vanity metrics to focus on meaningful business outcomes, trust, and organizational impact. We discuss:How organizations can recalibrate KPIs for greater impact during the second half of the year. The way AI, communications, and stakeholder engagement are reshaping performance measurement.The importance of combining quantitative data with qualitative insights for decision-making.Why communicators must have a seat at the strategy table.If your organization is measuring activity instead of impact, this conversation is for you.

Welcome to The Engagement Agent podcast! Get to know hosts Barbara Leatherwood-Gomez, founder of Hummingbird Communications, and Rachael Moore, founder of Liberty Plain Consulting.