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7 Jun Being Present for Your Listeners
To quote part of a song from the musical Hamilton, “I wanna be in the room where it happens….” Remember when we were in the same room with our listeners? We could get a sense of their energy, nonverbals, and actual interaction. This sort of feedback helped build our momentum in the moment.
Two years into this new form of daily communication, one that is separated by miles, time zones, and technology, connection and influence can feel out of reach. (more…)
17 May When English is not your first language, use P.A.R. to make sure you are understood and are speaking clearly.
Around the world, at this very minute, tens of millions of people are taking classes at language schools; some are using YouTube to learn to speak and listen, and of course, many are learning in their grade schools, high schools, and universities. Many of these people will be required in their careers to use English, so they are often very serious in their approach to learning. (more…)
4 May Rampant Redundancies
The excesses of communication in our time are reflected in our language. When verbal overkill is in, eloquence is out. And when was the last time you heard an eloquent speech? So we plod along carrying a sack full of unnecessary words.
Here are some common examples of ripe redundancies ready for burial. (more…)
27 Apr Strengthening Relationships with Appreciation
Everyone wants to be appreciated. People want to feel and know they matter. Unfortunately, our culture in the business world leans more towards critique than appreciation and competition more than support. Knowing how to share authentic appreciation is an invaluable skill for strengthening relationships.
Here are four tips that help:
Be Prompt - It’s best to share appreciation immediately, if possible. If you wait too long, you are likely to overanalyze, script yourself, and lose authenticity. The more delay, the less authenticity. Another risk with delay is the person you are appreciating may not remember the action/event details, and therefore, your appreciation won’t have its intended impact. (more…)
21 Apr Three Ways to Keep Yourself From Rambling
If you find yourself “getting into the weeds” by using long sentences when sharing information or opinions….You might be a rambler!
If your friends and colleagues dread hearing you speak…. You might be a rambler!
If your clients, customers, or direct reports seem uncomfortable when you talk.…You might be a rambler!
If you find your neighbors or even family members keep avoiding your talks…. You might be a rambler!
Many of our clients are brilliant and interesting people. Even if you are all these things…You might be a rambler! (more…)
7 Apr Three Approaches to Better Presentations
Whether it’s a team effort or a one-person responsibility, a presentation can make or break a contract or client relationship. This brief article gives you three critical elements required for preparing a successful presentation.
If you provide a product or a service, there is truth in the old adage that “products don’t sell, people do.” Certainly, there are isolated exceptions, but person-to-person contact is invaluable for most businesses. In this framework, the business presentation holds a unique and critical place. It is an essential part of the public relations, marketing, and sales for any company, large or small.
3 Apr The Structure of the Mind
Psychologist Jeff Thomas and I agree on the structure of the mind. The mind and the difference between the brain and the mind have been the focus of conjecture, controversy, and intellectual consternation for many centuries.
It is generally accepted that the brain is the repository of the things and stuff that we are exposed to during our lifetime. There may not yet be general acceptance of what exactly gets stored, where in the brain it is stored, or how it is retained, but we can accept that the brain takes in and holds the information from our life experiences. In addition, it’s possible to actually see the brain. We can measure it, weigh it, touch it, and know for sure that there is such a thing as the brain.
24 Mar Zoom, the Pope, and a Lesson Learned
I read an interesting article in The Atlantic based on a recent speech by the Pope. He reflected on the importance of face-to-face communication in a world that has gone online. He said:
“Text mediums deprive us of cues like facial expressions, posture, and vocal inflections. As a result, they are especially ill-suited to figuring out what people who aren’t adept at writing believe or intend to express….To interact with people in person is to see how complicated most of us are.”
While the article’s author analyzes this through the lens of what makes a good journalist, the lesson is important for all of us who are on Zoom a lot.
Read the article here.
3 Mar Getting your Message Across: Strategies for Conveying Technical and Complex Information
Communication excellence, speaking clearly and conveying ideas with impact, is highly associated with career and organizational success.
Yet, healthcare and technology leaders face a major challenge: simplifying complex and technical information so that others “get it,” buy-in, and take action for best results.
Here are some truths about transmitting knowledge and influencing others outside your field:
- Knowing your topic does not equal speaking clearly about your topic.
- Your listeners likely don’t care about your topic as much as you do-sorry!
- Anytime you speak, whether one on one or to a crowd, in person or virtual, in a formal or informal setting, you are a “presenter.”
- Preparation, not Desperation: Strategize and plan, no matter how knowledgeable you are.