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Waters Edge Co

where we co-create thriving workplaces through intention-based communication and collaboration

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At Waters Edge Co, we help leaders and teams communicate with intention, clarity, and care — especially under pressure.Through research-grounded training, coaching, and consulting, we strengthen communication excellence using a powerful combination of subject-matter expertise, original and customizable content, exceptional facilitation, and practical tools that transfer learning beyond the training room.

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How We Work

TRAINING
Interactive, experiential learning that strengthens communication excellence and leadership effectiveness. Programs are highly engaging, adaptable, and designed to translate insight into real-world behavior change.
COACHING
Personalized development plans that help clients master skills essential for success, including executive presence, emotional intelligence, public speaking, conflict navigation, and high-stakes conversations.
CONSULTING
Human-centered needs assessments that surface root causes, clarify challenges, and deliver practical, actionable recommendations to improve communication, trust, and alignment.
KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS
Energizing, insight-rich keynotes that inspire and delight audiences of 30 to 3,000 — blending research, storytelling, and practical takeaways leaders can use immediately.

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Signature Programs

KINDFUL COMMUNICATION™*Rooted in emotional intelligence and wrapped in intention, identity, and authenticity, Kindful Communication embeds awareness and choice into everyday interactions. This practice reduces defensiveness, increases connection, and builds trust — even in the toughest conversations. Participants gain deeper insight into what derails their conversations, new methods for staying in the moment, and a formula that ensures they choose communication that aligns with their personal brand. The Kindful™ model has been accepted by academia and embraced by organizations.
4K(nows) COMMUNICATION*
Exponentially improve the outcomes of your conversations, email messages, meetings, and presentations by practicing the 4 Knows: Know Yourself, Know Your Goal, Know Your Audience, and Know Everything Speaks. This course equips participants with practical tools and exercises that are guaranteed to increase communication competence.*Available as a training program, keynote presentation, or through coaching.

TRUE NORTH TEAM ALIGNMENT (TNTA)Every high-performing team has a compass. This program helps teams clarify shared purpose, appreciate differences, navigate obstacles, and move forward with greater unity, trust, and commitment. Forget tired team-building performances, TNTA provides plenty of opportunities to strengthen team cohesiveness without embarrassment or wasted time. In class, teams co-create real action plans that enable immediate action toward achieving the team goals they have set together.HERO SERVICE™In an era of increased automation and decreased quality of customer service, HERO service providers stand out. This program strengthens the customer experience (CX) by developing four essential service capabilities: Helpfulness, Empathy, Reliability, and Openness. Participants wil build a detailed analysis of those they serve, assess their CX through their customer's eyes, and learn a practical model to guide communication with unhappy clients.

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Meet Michelle Waters

Founder & Principal Consultant
at Waters Edge Co

I help people communicate with intention, clarity, and care.

For more than 25 years, I’ve researched, written about, and taught human communication — and I absolutely love my work. I’ve partnered with leaders and teams across the globe, including organizations in the Netherlands, Australia, Morocco, Mexico, and Spain. No matter the setting, my goal remains the same: to help people communicate in ways that build trust, strengthen relationships, and drive meaningful outcomes.My work is research-grounded, audience-focused, and heart-centric. Together, my clients and I co-create transformative learning experiences that deepen leadership capabilities, finesse collaboration, and strengthen organizational culture.Let’s explore what’s on the horizon in 2026!

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PROVEN STRENGTHS
✔ Creating dynamic, high-trust learning experiences that are engaging, inclusive, and content-rich
✔ Moving people from awareness to real-world application of key communication concepts
✔ Reading room dynamics and adjusting facilitation in real time
✔ Communicating effectively with all levels of an organization — from C-suite to frontline teams
✔ Co-authoring award-winning college communication textbooks

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TESTIMONIALS

"I had the pleasure of working with Michelle to deliver training, and I was impressed by her energy, flexibility, and content expertise. We were looking for an experiential learning program that would engage our team through interactive activities, focusing on effective business communication skills for all levels. Michelle truly delivered, incorporating our specific goals and objectives into a comprehensive program that met our needs."A. Levie, Workplace Experience Director, CBRE

“Participating in the Manager Essentials program facilitated by Michelle Waters (of Waters Edge) in Spain was a standout moment in my leadership journey. Her ability to create an inclusive, high-energy, and deeply reflective learning space was impressive. What struck me most was her agility in adapting to a multicultural audience, making everyone feel seen and valued — all while delivering strong, actionable content with grace and clarity. A true facilitator in every sense.”O. El Qacemi, SEI Manager of Morocco, Former Senior HRBP and Talent Manager, Driscolls