Strategic communication is a popular term, with little agreement on what it actually means. Many treat it as a what, building bureaucracies that look impressive without providing value. But successful practitioners know that strategic communication is a how. After 20 years of developing effective communication programs, I have acquired a specialized knowledge of the art and science of strategic communication. I have taught diverse organizations that strategic communication is more than ensuring messages are consistent across audiences and media; it's ensuring actions are consistent with messages. Combined with my 25 years' experience building and coaching teams under the most difficult of circumstances – including tours of duty as an Army Civil Affairs officer in Afghanistan and Bosnia – and my service as an elected official, I have the experience and skills to take any organization's communication program to the next level.