About The Steady State
Most people think communication begins with language.
But after decades of working with people in high-pressure situations — attorneys, executives, teams, and creatives — I’ve learned something different:
Communication is biology finding words.
When we our bodies feel grounded, clear, and connected, our words reflect it.
When we feel tense or overwhelmed, our words distort, collapse, or disappear.
The Steady State is a new way of understanding communication — one that starts in the body before it ever becomes words.
It’s a practical, human approach to speaking from a steadier, more authentic place.
If my first book Beyond Bullet Points changed how people tell stories; The Steady State aims to change how we communicate in the first place.
About Cliff Atkinson
I’m a writer, speaker, and communication consultant who has spent more than 20 years helping leading attorneys and Fortune 500 companies communicate clearly when it matters most.
My work has contributed to jury verdicts totaling billions of dollars, including a landmark $253 million Vioxx verdict praised by Fortune as “frighteningly powerful,” and a recent $5 billion antitrust verdict.
My book Beyond Bullet Points was named an Amazon “Best Book of the Year” and has been translated into more than a dozen languages.
I’ve taught my communication approaches at many leading organizations, and my work has been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Fortune, and Fox News.
The Steady State is the next evolution of my work — an approach that goes deeper than messaging or storytelling to uncover where communication truly begins.
Why Subscribe?
As a subscriber, you’ll receive:
Weekly essays that translate communication into clear, human terms
Practical insights you can apply immediately — at work, at home, or anywhere words matter
New ways of seeing communication that integrate mind, body, and presence
Tools for clearer expression, better conversations, and more grounded leadership
Early access to the development of The Steady State as a full framework
Behind-the-scenes process as I shape this new paradigm into a book and future offerings
If you’re curious about how communication really works — beneath the surface of language — this publication is for you.
