You want to become a better communicator. But there are so many things to work on. Where should you start? With your audience. To be more specific: with how what you do/know really helps your audience. I have worked with people who are super … [Read more...] about What should I do first?
Overcoming a failure of imagination
Right now in the tech industry everyone is up to their eyeballs trying to envision how generative AI will change their businesses. As ChatGPT and large language models get embedded into and change the things we use every day, the companies who … [Read more...] about Overcoming a failure of imagination
AI needs elastic messages
847 years ago when we at Sun Microsystems launched the Java technology, not long after Netscape launched the first browser, one of our biggest worries was creating messages for something that was too new to define. As the PR person, I had to create … [Read more...] about AI needs elastic messages
Notice what’s wrong
Bad bosses and bad business decisions can be such incredible teachers. Right now in the tech industry we’re seeing the “correction” of so many leaders’ mistakes. Every mistake is an opportunity to learn. ‘Oh, I don't want to be the leader who does … [Read more...] about Notice what’s wrong
Embrace the pivot
Great spokespersons know that the ONLY thing you have any control over in a media interview is what comes out of your mouth. When you sit down with a reporter you have no control over how prepared the reporter is, what questions the reporter asks, … [Read more...] about Embrace the pivot
Change is hard!
Brains like patterns. Our brains are wired to lay down neural pathways and then to encourage us, via clever deployment of hormones like cortisol and dopamine, to stick to those pathways. Your brain knows that if you do what has kept you safe before … [Read more...] about Change is hard!
Earned, Owned, Paid
We continue to debate and evolve our definitions of paid, earned, and owned media. For a marketing person, these distinctions may be vital, but my advice as a communications coach to clients is the same no matter which channel they’re … [Read more...] about Earned, Owned, Paid
Words. They matter.
Let’s talk about words. If I say “ruby” to someone at a jewelry store, I’m going to get something very different than if I say “Ruby” on GitHub. Shared vocabulary is a prerequisite for any successful conversation. It’s your responsibility both as … [Read more...] about Words. They matter.
Reality?
‘’Perception is reality.” Lee Atwater coined this phrase in political campaigning because he saw that what people think is more powerful than what’s true. Objectivity does not exist. This can be super frustrating, but it’s TRUE. People do not … [Read more...] about Reality?
Context matters!
Let me state the obvious: The three minute presentation you give at a university recruiting day should be radically different from your board meeting. The language you use at a biotech conference to a bunch of doctors is different from the language … [Read more...] about Context matters!
