Speak With Confidence

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Give Me a Break! Tips to Promote Team Morale and Sanity

As we all continue to adapt to our remote workplace in 2021, coaches find that our clients confide worries and challenges about virtual meetings to us. So, meeting leaders, here are easy ways to enhance  your team’s morale and productivity : Give them a break. Some team members feel like it’s a luxury to visit their own bathroom or grab a yogurt, as close as they may be. Encourage 15-minute breaks every ninety minutes or

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Five New Ways to Combat Remote Team Loneliness During Coronavirus

Studies show that loneliness is becoming an increasingly common physical and mental health concern for which remote workers are acutely at risk. With coronavirus forcing employees into 100% work from home (WFH) guidelines, and in some cases, complete shelter in place restrictions, workplace loneliness is at an all-time high. Understandably, employees who are used to seeing each other every day are especially feeling this disconnect. And, with coffee shops and restaurants closed, remote employees who were always 100% remote no longer have

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Five Tips for Communicating In A Mask

Facial coverings and masks can make it difficult for some people to communicate. People who often rely on facial cues may not understand you when your face is covered, or your voice is muffled. As an Executive Coach, I have seen how it can be hard to talk to neighbors, friends, co-workers, and family while wearing a mask. When you are wearing a face-covering to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, be aware that you

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Three Powerful Reasons Storytelling Works in Business

Storytelling is an advanced communication tool that can build rapport, increase retention and powerfully persuade.  Capturing, structuring and delivering relevant stories is an invaluable skill in business. 1)  Build Rapport – Experiences are unique; however, emotions are universal.  Telling a short, interesting personal story allows the listener to tap into the same emotion as the teller, creating a memorable rapport.  The effectiveness depends upon expressing the relevant emotion in the story. 2) Increase Retention –

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Framing your business narrative during crisis time

Figuring out how to frame a narrative in a crisis is very important. Now, in the midst of this pandemic, if you need to adjust your business narrative, how should you do that?  If your business is to continue, your constituents need to know that your company is still strong and has been able to adapt to changing times. Here is food for thought and some direction for your consideration as you address this issue.

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Ten Things Professionals like about Zooming

Inquiring Communication Coach: What do you like about Zooming? I conducted a non-scientific poll of my business clients to learn:       Top  10  Things Professionals Like About Zoom You can wear your PJ bottoms (just watch the camera shot). You can look at yourself all day, for better or worse. You don’t have to smell fish cooking in the microwave. You get to use your own bathroom. You can squeeze your stress ball

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Attend our Workshop: Thinking on Your Feet

90-minute, online, interactive workshop Thinking on Your Feet Thursday, May 21, 20201:00 PM – 2:30 PM EDT $99 per seat     THINKING ON YOUR FEET is always a strong indicator of confidence and competence. Next to controlling nervousness, it’s our most requested training topic! Two things will happen during this 90-minute workshop: First, you will learn specific techniques that will help you strengthen your ability to think on your feet and express your thoughts

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Five Ideas for Encouraging Participation in Virtual Meetings 

Research and experience tell us how important equal and energized group meetings are to morale and productivity.  Yet, clients using virtual audio or video conferencing say that engaging all participants, holding attention, and controlling interruptions and overlapping speakers are significant challenges. Make sure you are incorporating these five essentials in your virtual meetings: Author Laurie Schloff View all posts

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Dr. Dennis Becker at World Speech Day

Dr. Dennis Becker, founder of The Speech Improvement Company, spoke on March 16 at World Speech Day. The honor of representing North America was given to him in recognition of his stature as a worldwide expert in human communication. World Speech Day is a day to celebrate speeches and speechmaking that change the world – socially, politically, in the arts, business, and religion. This is their fifth year and featured a Master Class of speakers

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