Image: Pixabay.com Change and growth can be uncomfortable and scary. It’s spectacularly uncomfortable to realize what we don’t know. And that’s not all – the steep end of a learning curve takes enormous resilience and stamina to climb. I try to … [Read more...] about Prepare for the climb!
Soundbites!!
Every great communicator delivers artful soundbites - in media interviews, in talks, in all hands meetings. Soundbites are useful EVERYWHERE. What’s a soundbite? A short, interesting sentence, in normal human syntax. Soundbites are memorable. A … [Read more...] about Soundbites!!
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
Don’t climb your mountains alone!
One of the great benefits of being in charge is that you’re in charge. There’s no one standing over you telling you what to do. One of the biggest problems with being in charge is that you’re in charge. There’s no one standing over you to ask what to … [Read more...] about Don’t climb your mountains alone!
Bring a problem and a solution
If you’re the one who identifies a big problem for your company, don’t hide it. Tell everybody. Sounding the alarm gets the right team on board to help find the solution. However, you don’t want to be the messenger that gets shot. Bring a … [Read more...] about Bring a problem and a solution
It’s coming!
Start your engines, team! Fall conference season is around the corner. What are you responsible for? Creating messages? Delivering them? Generating interest in your company? Converting prospects into customers? Keeping customers happy once they are … [Read more...] about It’s coming!
For real. Never do these things
In April I wrote a newsletter issue on things every leader/communicator should always do, and then another on things a communicator should never do. And then I had a great time writing Jones, the villain in the WidgetCo story who did all of the bad … [Read more...] about For real. Never do these things
Asking with elegance
None of us is capable of doing everything we need/want to do in the world alone. Part of being alive is about giving and receiving help. But asking for help can feel so awkward. So how can we do it with elegance? I think it’s about recognizing … [Read more...] about Asking with elegance
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
Managing meeting chaos
Here’s something weird. This year, the question I get more than any other is: “How do I deal with someone who is trying to derail my meeting?” I’m not sure what it is about 2023, but apparently the humans in the meetings my clients are trying to … [Read more...] about Managing meeting chaos