Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D.

Guest: Dustin Morse, Senior Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs, Minnesota Twins Baseball Club

Connection with other people is the one of the most essential elements to a happy and fulfilling life. In order to connect with others, you MUST COMMUNICATE with others. However, in our hyper-electronic and busy world, effective communication has become a lost art for so many of us. We have to change this. To help us get started on this journey of improving our communication, our guest for this session is Dustin Morse, Senior Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs for the Minnesota Twins Baseball Club. In this episode, he is going to help us answer the following three big questions:
 
1-What does effective communication look like, and why is it so important?
2-Why do so many of us struggle with clear and effective communication?
3-What steps can individuals take to better communicate and connect with the people in their lives?

How to start a Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project “Pod-Club”:
Step 1: Find 2-30 friends who want to get better
Step 2: Choose your episodes (can be focused on specific themes or random)
Step 3: Listen to/watch the episodes
Step 4: Meet with your group to work through the provided discussion questions in the PDF for each episode, and feel free to add your own!
Step 5: Celebrate the fact that you are turning passive knowledge into action!

Discussion Questions for this Episode:

1. Dustin Morse defines communication broadly, including spoken word, written word, body language, and even how one presents themselves. How often do you consider these non-verbal aspects when you’re communicating?
2. The «C’s» of effective communication (clarity, conciseness, completeness, correctness, considerateness) were discussed. Which of these do you find most challenging to consistently apply in your own communication, and why?
3. The podcast highlights that interpersonal conflict often stems from a «lack of perspective or a lack of communication.» Think about a recent disagreement where lack of perspective or communication may have contributed. How might a different communication approach have changed the outcome?
4. Dustin shares his experience with athletes who struggle with public speaking due to social anxiety, contrasting it with those who might «blow off» communication. Do you tend to be more on the side of over-analyzing and fearing communication, or underestimating its importance? How does this tendency impact your effectiveness?
5. The discussion emphasizes the importance of active listening and seeking feedback, even when it’s difficult. What strategies do you use to ensure you’re truly listening and open to feedback, especially when you might disagree with the message?
6. The call to action suggests picking one communication tip (e.g., active listening, empathy, nonverbal skills) and intentionally focusing on it during your next three conversations. Select one tip to practice in conversations this week. Report back to the group to let them know how easy or challenging this was for you and why.
7. Dustin mentions that in his role, he often has to «read the room» and be considerate of the audience’s emotional state. How do you assess the emotional climate of a conversation or meeting, and how does that influence your communication style?
8. The episode touches on how technology and social media have changed communication, sometimes leading to «short form» and less nuanced interactions. How do you balance the efficiency of modern communication tools with the need for deeper, more effective connection in your personal and professional life?

Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize
X: @MayoHumanOpProj
Instagram: @MayoHumanOpProj
YouTube: The Human Optimization Project – YouTube

Email: optimize@mayo.edu