Tuesday, 09 June 2026 04:45 AM
Company Update
Strategic communications expert Alexia Poe draws on 30 years of experience in journalism, government, and business to advocate for listening as the cornerstone of effective communication in high-pressure environments.
NASHVILLE, TN / ACCESS Newswire / June 9, 2026 / Listen Before You Speak
Alexia Poe has spent more than three decades helping leaders communicate in moments that matter. From the White House to the Tennessee Governor's Office to corporate boardrooms, she has seen firsthand how the best communication strategies start not with talking, but with listening.
"That time taught me to listen first. You cannot tell a story well if you don't fully understand it," Poe says. Her career began as a morning television anchor and reporter at WKPT-TV in Kingsport, Tennessee, where she learned to ask the right questions and make sense of complex situations quickly.
Today, as Principal of Poe Consulting, LLC, a certified woman-owned strategic consulting firm based in Nashville, Poe is raising awareness about a simple but often overlooked practice: organizations that pause to listen before responding are far more likely to communicate clearly, build trust, and avoid costly mistakes.
Why Listening Matters in High-Stakes Environments
Poe has worked in some of the most demanding communication roles in the country. She served as Press Secretary to Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist, making history as the youngest person and only the second woman to hold that role in Tennessee. She later served as Deputy Press Secretary to First Lady Laura Bush in the White House, Communications Director for United States Senator Lamar Alexander, and Director of Communications to Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam.
In each of these roles, she saw the same pattern: when leaders took time to listen to the people they were communicating with, the message landed. When they did not, even the best plans could fall apart.
"In government, every word matters. You are speaking not just for yourself, but for the people you serve," Poe explains. That principle applies beyond government. In crisis situations, organizational change, and media relations, understanding the audience is the first step toward effective communication.
The Cost of Skipping the Listening Step
Poe has witnessed the consequences of poor communication alignment across industries. She recalls sitting in meetings where everyone agreed on a plan, only to discover later that different teams were moving in completely different directions.
"I've been in rooms where everyone nodded yes. Then a week later, five teams were working toward five different goals," she says. Without taking time to listen and confirm understanding, organizations waste time, resources, and credibility.
Listening is not passive. It requires asking questions, confirming what was heard, and creating space for honest feedback. Poe encourages leaders to treat listening as a strategic discipline, not just a courtesy.
Building Trust Through Understanding
Poe believes that trust is the foundation of all successful communication. And trust starts with being heard.
"Clear communication builds trust. And trust is what moves everything forward," Poe says. Whether working with government officials, corporate executives, or nonprofit boards, she has seen how organizations gain momentum when people feel understood.
Her consulting work focuses on helping organizations strengthen internal and external communication, navigate crises, and develop strategies that reflect a clear understanding of stakeholder needs. She has led public campaigns, managed media relations during complex transitions, and built communication offices from the ground up.
"When you build a communications office from the ground up, you learn how important alignment is. Everyone needs to understand a common mission and vision and move in the same direction," Poe notes.
What People Can Do Now
Poe encourages anyone who communicates on behalf of an organization to adopt a simple practice: before crafting a message, talk to the people who will receive it. Ask what they already know, what questions they have, and what concerns matter most to them.
Start meetings by asking questions instead of leading with answers. Confirm understanding before moving forward. Create feedback loops that allow people to share what they heard and how they plan to act on it.
"Simple wins. If you can't explain it clearly, it's probably not ready yet," Poe says.
These small changes can prevent confusion, reduce conflict, and help teams stay aligned even in high-pressure situations.
About Alexia Poe
Alexia Poe is Principal of Poe Consulting, LLC, a certified woman-owned strategic consulting firm based in Nashville, Tennessee. With more than 30 years of experience in journalism, government, higher education, and business, she has held senior communications roles for two Tennessee Governors, a United States Senator, in the East Wing of the White House, and for a Nashville Mayor. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and serves on the University of Tennessee Knoxville Chancellor's Advisory Board, the Tennessee Performing Arts Center Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and the Friends of Warner Parks Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
Media Contact
Alexia Poe
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SOURCE: Alexia Poe