What role does intentionality play in effective communication and personal growth?

Although she is officially an ‘expert’ in communication, Angie Flynn-McIver simply considers herself constantly fascinated by it. Angie Flynn-McIver discusses intention; What it is, coaching it, and practicing it. She shares her own stories of intention, coaching, and travel, and gives advice on finding your guiding stars. Angie unpacks her thoughts on the power of storytelling and how to use your intention to chart your course.

“The answer to all of that is intention. The answer to all of that is actually you have to do some really deep personal work to figure out where you’re coming from and what motivates you.” ~ Angie Flynn-McIver (12:54)

Angie Flynn-McIver is a communication expert, theater director, and business woman based in North Carolina. As the founder of Ignite CSP, she uses her theater experience to coach others in effective and intentional communication. Angie and her husband are also the founders of the North Carolina Stage Company, an award winning theater in it’s 19th season.

The conversation explores how intentionality shapes communication and personal growth, particularly in coaching and storytelling. It begins by examining the concept of deliberate versus default intentions, explaining how our unexamined patterns often drive behavior and how adopting deliberate intentions fosters meaningful interactions. Insights are shared about how actors use intention to create authenticity, with parallels drawn to everyday communication challenges.

Another focal point is the role of storytelling as both a coaching tool and a human experience. Stories connect intention to outcomes, providing a narrative framework for understanding and navigating life. Practical advice is offered, such as practicing intention in mundane settings like grocery stores to build self-awareness. The conversation highlights the importance of narrative, not just as an enhancer of coaching but as a foundational tool for aligning actions with goals.

Takeaways

Storytelling as a tool — It connects deeply with human cognition and emotions, making it an effective coaching method.

Default versus deliberate intention — Identifying and shifting from default patterns can transform communication and actions.

Practical application of intention — Small everyday tasks, like grocery shopping, serve as effective practice grounds for cultivating deliberate intention.

Intention in coaching — Coaches use intention to help clients align actions with larger goals while addressing immediate needs.

Empathy through communication — Building understanding and connection requires intention to be present and aware in every interaction.

Resources

Ignite CSP — Angie’s coaching company focusing on intentional communication and leadership.

North Carolina Stage Company — A theater co-founded by Angie, showcasing innovative performances.

David Cain’s Raptitude — Blog offering reflective essays, including “How to Walk Across a Parking Lot,” on intentional living.

The Storytelling Animal — Jonathan Gottschall’s book exploring the science and power of storytelling in human life.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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— Hello👋 I’m Craig Constantine.

In the Movers Mindset podcast, I talk with movement enthusiasts to learn who they are, what they do, and why they do it. I’m interested in the nature and philosophy of movement and in exploring themes like independence, self-direction, and human excellence. My interests color each conversation and provide some structure to Movers Mindset. But since I like to take the scenic route, every conversation ends up going somewhere unique.

The purpose of Movers Mindset is to create and share great conversations with movement enthusiasts. Each conversation feeds my insatiable curiosity, but I share them to turn on a light for someone else, to inspire them, or to give them their next question.

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The Movers Mindset project grew from conversations I started having as part of my personal journey rediscovering movement. The project started late in 2015, and it was initially simply a web site that shared others’ writing. The project grew, and in 2017 I started the podcast. I’ve worked extremely hard, but none of this would have been possible without so much help from so many people.

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