The holidays are here, which makes me think of gifts, which reminds me of the key thing I tell every single client I meet: “Your talk is a gift, not a performance.” Why? Because if you want someone’s attention, what you’re saying must be … [Read more...] about Your talk is a gift
May you live in interesting times
Is that famous expression, “May you live in interesting times” a curse? A blessing? Both? If you’re part of the tech industry like I am, we are indeed living through interesting times. It’s exhausting, exhilarating, confounding. But we are … [Read more...] about May you live in interesting times
A taxonomy of questions
While working with a product GM a few weeks ago to prep for a critical launch, he wanted the shortest possible briefing doc. Can you blame him? A product launch is about so much more than the press briefings. There was A LOT on his mind!! We came … [Read more...] about A taxonomy of questions
Your brain or your mind
Your brain and your mind are not the same thing. They work in concert a lot (sometimes in ways we love, sometimes in ways we don’t). But sometimes they oppose each other. Every human brain has an amygdala, whose job is to keep you following … [Read more...] about Your brain or your mind
Certain ≠ right
Reading the Platformer newsletter “AI as Normal Technology, Revisited” made me smile. It seems to me that Arvind Narayanan and Sayash Kapoor, the “AI is Normal Technology” guys who think it might take decades for humans to integrate AI into the … [Read more...] about Certain ≠ right
Know your nervous system
Helping clients face their stage fright is a core communications coach capability. A brilliant Eng VP knows exactly what she needs to say, she has a great demo prepared, she has credibility with her audience. The only thing she doesn’t have is … [Read more...] about Know your nervous system
If you see something, say something
OK, your CTO Greg just finished an industry panel and is feeling pretty delighted by the groundbreaking ideas he brainstormed on stage in front of 10,000 people. Meanwhile, during the panel, you, the PR person staffing your CTO’s appearance, got … [Read more...] about If you see something, say something
Too much information , too much feedback
The same impulse that drives a tech PR person to create an 18-page briefing sheet for their CEO’s 15 minute interview can also drive them to give way too much feedback to that CEO during prep. In both cases, the PR person’s hidden message to their … [Read more...] about Too much information , too much feedback
Recalcitrant or overzealous?
Are you knocking on my door every few weeks to tell me you’d be a great media spokesperson? That’s the best way to ensure you’ll never do an interview. When I was running communications teams and making decisions about which spokespersons to risk … [Read more...] about Recalcitrant or overzealous?
Wow! 12!
Image: Pixabay.com Wow. Today, August 5, poseycorp, my communications coaching practice, turns 12! In a dozen years I’ve coached quantum physicists, shoe designers, scientists, game developers, and innovators across every dimension of the tech … [Read more...] about Wow! 12!
