Oh my goodness it’s December! You’re well into planning for 2017, right? Of course you are – my clients are brilliant, motivated achievers, so I’m sure my readers are too!
Looking at the year ahead, what new skills to do you want to add to your portfolio? New skills that will last a lifetime? My vote is stronger communication skills. Why? Because, really, truly, I believe that nothing will serve you and your vision better than developing exceptional communication skills.
Here’s what my client Eddy Machtinger, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Women’s HIV Program at UCSF, says, “Lisa’s bold and pragmatic advice helped me transform our program from a regional clinic for women living with HIV to becoming a national leader addressing violence against women and girls. It is hard to overstate the impact she has had on both our program and my career.”
How did Eddy elevate the Women’s HIV Program at UCSF to national leadership? By working with me to become an exceptional evangelist. Eddy worked to refine his message, he built the skills to deliver it and he forged powerful relationships with national thought leaders in his field. He convened conversations and led research. He made a major commitment to building this powerful communications skill, and he found a partner to help him do it. And yes, becoming a great evangelist did transform his program and his career.
What skill do you need to master? For some clients, the most powerful results come from building strong internal communications skills – to activate and guide any and every team within your organization, to persuade your CEO to adopt your business proposal, to create a culture of innovation and growth.
Some clients want to focus on speaking – if your vision requires you to throw yourself onto the keynote circuit, shouldn’t you be good at it? Yes. You should.
Think about what you want to do in 2017. Becoming a great communicator can advance all of your goals. Take the leap and master this vital life skill in 2017. It will change your whole world!
Communication is the essential last mile in finding and motivating the right teams, acquiring strong allies, powerfully bonding with customers, and capturing mindshare with compelling stories. Nothing will serve you and your vision better than developing exceptional communication skills.
