Almost every communications leader I’ve met wants to help their executives become better communicators, whether it’s for the All Hands, an industry panel, or CNBC. But it’s a rare executive that wants to devote time to skill-building when there’s … [Read more...] about Use your forcing functions
Stack rank your worries
When nothing feels certain, it can really help to focus on the basics. Don’t know whether or how tariffs will impact your business or what you’ll say about them when they do? Don’t know how the latest foundation model or lightweight open source model … [Read more...] about Stack rank your worries
“I love that question!”
Spring conference season is here. Are you leading a breakout? You’ll want to encourage and engage with questions from the people who chose to come to your session. A user conference is about building a deeper relationship with your audiences, making … [Read more...] about “I love that question!”
Thanks for coming to my session!
Spring conference season is here! Are you leading a breakout session? Start by saying THANK YOU to the people who chose to walk into your session room! Acknowledge your audience’s discernment and good taste. They chose YOUR session, after … [Read more...] about Thanks for coming to my session!
Your eyebrows
I couldn't care less what your eyebrows are doing when you’re doing a media interview or a talk. Why? Because if you over-rotate on worrying about what’s up with your eyebrows, your face will look even stranger and you’ll forget your … [Read more...] about Your eyebrows
One thing at a time
Want to be a better communicator — whether on podcasts, industry panels, or in media interviews? You will need to build skills! But please focus on building one skill at a time. If you’ve never done a TV interview before, you may think you need to be … [Read more...] about One thing at a time
The right vibe
Here’s a truism to start the year: You can be present for other people when you’re not consumed by noticing/worrying about yourself. If you are pre-occupied with imposter syndrome or your headache or your mortgage, the noise in your own head may … [Read more...] about The right vibe
Why?
Do you know your Why? Simon Sinek’s work is now ubiquitous. We all know how much a Why matters. When you communicate from your Why, your purpose shines through in everything you say and do. Your audiences feel it. You reach not just their heads, … [Read more...] about Why?
Incrementalism
There is no substitute for daily practice. Real change comes from consistent, patient, disciplined, daily focus on new behavior. Want to learn to patiently listen during difficult conversations with employees? A daily practice of meditation will … [Read more...] about Incrementalism
Silence is a strategy too
Yes, I am a communications coach. I help people deliver great messages to all sorts of audiences. But sometimes silence is the most powerful form of communication. More often than not, the best way to position yourself in an email battle is not … [Read more...] about Silence is a strategy too
