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It’s my first day as a teacher, fresh out of university.
The setting? A chilly, fluorescent-lit classroom in Miami-Dade County. Homemade posters, tacked onto the peeling walls, do little to brighten the space. Twenty-eight desks are grouped in clusters, while a row of old Microsoft desktops sit idly in the back. A whiteboard, streaked with the remnants of previous lessons, dominates the front of the room.
The characters? A bustling group of middle school students, aged 11 to 15. As the bell rings, they pour into the room, shoving and joking after a long summer apart. The noise is deafening, a cacophony of squeals that bounces off the walls. For a brief moment, I imagine the stampede scene from The Lion King and resist the urge to panic.
The kids are a mix of African American, Hispanic, and Haitian backgrounds — their awkward adolescent bodies clad in either too-tight or too-loose clothing. Raging hormones fill the room with an air of defiance and a few sets of sharp acrylic nails flash in tribute to Cardi B.
And there I am—a 5’5” Spanish-American, standing before them as their new English teacher. I wonder if they can sense my nervousness as I take a deep breath, trying to project authority. Finally, I manage to croak out: “Good morning, everyone.”
Teaching and startups: connection as the invisible thread
You might be thinking, you were a teacher — so what?
At their core, teachers are expert communicators. Every day, they take complex ideas and distill them into lessons that resonate with a wide variety of learners. They tailor their approach to reach students of different backgrounds, experiences, and abilities.
This skill—the ability to connect—is essential not only in the classroom but in business and marketing as well. Whether you’re a startup founder or an entrepreneur, how you communicate determines whether your message resonates and builds trust.
Connection is the invisible thread that links information to understanding, and ultimately, to action.
Here are some of the most valuable lessons I learned in the classroom that can transform the way you communicate in business.
Communication lessons from the classroom to the business world
1. Never assume anything
When I first met my students, I assumed they would understand basic concepts like the difference between a fact and an opinion. I also assumed they’d bring pencils to class. I was wrong on all counts. It wasn’t until I let go of those assumptions that I could adjust my strategy and communicate in a way that made sense to them.
In business, it’s the same. You might know your industry inside and out, but don’t assume your audience does. Use accessible language, break down complex ideas, and avoid jargon. This will help ensure your message is clear and your audience feels included.
2. Be clear and realistic about your objectives
I had grand plans for my 80-minute lessons—complete with slide decks, worksheets, and collaborative activities. But in reality, fire drills, tech issues, fights, and outburst, constantly interrupted my plans. I had to learn to focus on my core objectives and cut out the fluff.
In business, things also don’t always go as planned. You might have a pitch deck ready for investors, but tech hiccups or last-minute changes can throw a wrench in your plans. Know your core message, and be ready to adapt when time is tight or circumstances change.
3. Know your audience
I taught six classes with reading levels ranging from 1st to 7th grade. Some students craved individual attention, while others thrived on public praise. Understanding these differences allowed me to tailor my approach and engage them effectively.
In business, knowing your audience—whether they are clients, partners, or investors—is crucial. What motivates them? What are their pain points? Tailor your messaging to align with their needs. For example, if you’re selling renewable energy solutions and your audience cares most about cost savings, highlight how your product reduces expenses rather than focusing solely on environmental benefits
4. Meet people where they are
Some of my students were read to at night; others spent evenings in shelters caring for younger siblings. Everyone started from a different place, and it was my job to meet them where they were and support their learning.
In business, simplifying your message doesn’t mean dumbing it down—it means making sure everyone can follow along. Whether you're explaining a new product or sharing how you meet a gap in the market, breaking information into digestible pieces will help you avoid alienating your audience.
5. Gamify when possible
In teaching, introducing competition was a surefire way to get my students engaged. I grouped them into teams, offering points for participation and good behavior — and it worked wonders.
Startups and businesses face similar engagement challenges. Gamification can be a powerful tool, whether it’s through interactive content on social media, a poll during a webinar, or a creative challenge that gets your audience involved. By making engagement fun and interactive, you can foster deeper connections and loyalty.
6. Align messages with incentives
One of my sassiest students, Brianna, didn’t care about learning plot structure—but she did care about impressing her mom so she could have her friends over for her birthday. I made her a deal: if she completed her assignments, I’d give her mom a glowing report.
In business, the key to buy-in is understanding your stakeholders’ motivations. Whether you’re appealing to clients, investors, or employees, craft your message to align with their interests. When people see how your product or service benefits them, they’re more likely to engage.
7. Give people ownership
On my first day, I realized that competition alone wasn’t enough to keep my students invested—they needed to feel ownership. So, I assigned classroom jobs. Soon, my trusty noise monitor was the one telling everyone to quiet down and my pencil collector made sure everyone returned their supplies.
In business, offering ownership over projects encourages intrinsic motivation. When people feel trusted and valued, they rise to the occasion—and your business benefits.
7. Show, don't just tell
Teachers use the "Tell, Show, Do" method: first, explain a concept, then demonstrate it, and finally let students practice. This approach works just as well in business.
Don’t just explain what your product does—show your audience why it matters through storytelling, case studies, or testimonials, and always provide a clear call to action.
9. Identify and remove obstacles
One day, I noticed one of my star students sitting idly during a writing assignment. When I asked why, she whispered, “I don’t know what ‘elaborate’ means.” Once I explained, she got right to work.
In business, obstacles might not always be obvious. Whether it’s clarifying a confusing term or addressing a miscommunication, small adjustments can make a huge difference in how your message is received.
10. Positive reinforcement beats negative consequences
I quickly learned that punishing bad behavior often backfired in the classroom. What worked far better was highlighting good work and progress. This simple act of positive reinforcement motivated students to stay on task.
In business, positive reinforcement—whether it’s recognizing an employee’s effort or praising a client’s success—goes a long way. We’re wired to react to our names, especially when they’re associated with praise, so make a point to remember names and highlight the good. This builds rapport and encourages continued success.
Final thoughts: building brands through connection
Final thoughts: building brands through connection
My years in the classroom taught me that connection is everything. Whether you're leading a group of middle school students or communicating with stakeholders to grow your business, how you communicate shapes your success.
As a brand strategist, I bring this experience into my work with startups and entrepreneurs, helping businesses craft messages that resonate, inspire, and drive action. If you're looking to build a brand that connects with your audience, let’s talk.
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