Most of the professional communicators I’ve met in my delightful life in this field are super discerning. We see our spokesperson struggling as they prepare for a talk, a media tour or a conference. And, we almost always know why. Our spidey … [Read more...] about Discernment + strategy + the right words
Eradicate babbling!
You know what I tell people all the time? SAY LESS. Saying less is so much better than saying more. ALWAYS. Choose your words before you speak. It’s human nature when someone asks a question to start talking BEFORE you consider your answer … [Read more...] about Eradicate babbling!
Persistence and patience = real change
We fear change. Our brains fear change. Laying down a new neural pathway takes energy and attention! How can you get your team, your customers, or your partners to change? Peter Denning and Robert Dunham’s The Innovators Way is my favorite book on … [Read more...] about Persistence and patience = real change
Binging til my eyeballs bleed
I am that person who can watch a great show for eight hours, until 2:30 am if necessary, because I HAVE TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. I am not alone. Our brains love completing patterns but they hate incomplete patterns more. Here’s Brené Brown: … [Read more...] about Binging til my eyeballs bleed
Here we go again!
Welcome to the new year! I hope that your holiday break was restful and restorative, that your inbox and calendar are not overstuffed on re-entry, and that you feel refreshed and ready to tackle 2026! 2025 made it clear that we are living through … [Read more...] about Here we go again!
Questions are vital data!
You’ve just finished your brilliant twenty minute presentation on your new genAI-enabled customer service solution, but the customer’s only question at the end is: “What have you heard about capacitor tariffs?” What? You may be thinking, “Was this … [Read more...] about Questions are vital data!
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
Don’t limit yourself
Creating messages for your company? Don’t be too specific. Because your message needs to last at least a year if you want it to penetrate the minds of your target audiences. Got six separate product messages? Great. They all ladder up to … [Read more...] about Don’t limit yourself
The customer is king
This year, the question I get more than any other is: “How do I deal with someone who is trying to derail my meeting?” We’ve addressed several internal meeting scenarios, but what if it’s a customer meeting? Well, that’s a whole different ball … [Read more...] about The customer is king
It depends on who’s interrupting
When clients ask me “How do I deal with someone who is trying to derail my meeting?” my answer is, “It depends.” What is the purpose of the meeting? How much time is left to accomplish that purpose? Who is asking? How emotionally or … [Read more...] about It depends on who’s interrupting
