The basic recipe for change is pretty clear. But that doesn’t mean change is easy. The people in our lives are used to us the way we are, we are used to us the way we are. In fact, our brains, which hate changing the patterns we have created, fight … [Read more...] about Change requires humility, courage and discipline
Practice = confidence = fluency
Why is it worth actually practicing your communications skills? Why is it worth investing energy to learn techniques, to sharpen your messages, to spend time on the stage before the speech? If you aren’t prepared you can appear pre-occupied and … [Read more...] about Practice = confidence = fluency
How you feel impacts how you communicate
The last three posts have not specifically been about communication, they’ve been about what it feels like to be in a leadership position – how people project ‘boss’ onto you and lose sight of who you really are, how the leadership mantle depletes … [Read more...] about How you feel impacts how you communicate
Circles, Arrows and Saatchi & Saatchi
On July 29, Saatchi & Saatchi Chairman Kevin Roberts, surmising about why women in his firm choose to opt out of becoming creative directors, said, “Their ambition is not a vertical ambition, it's this intrinsic, circular ambition to be happy.” … [Read more...] about Circles, Arrows and Saatchi & Saatchi
L’état, c’est moi – and I’m exhausted!
Last week’s post You the person and you ‘the boss’ was about recognizing that when you step into a leadership position you’re also stepping into a metaphor. The people around you project their own beliefs onto you as ‘the boss.’ They lose their … [Read more...] about L’état, c’est moi – and I’m exhausted!
You the person and you ‘the boss’
You may be a wonderfully open and supportive CEO, a department head, a team leader. You may be completely fair-minded and welcome frank discussion in every strategy discussion. And still, people who work for you may resent you, or be afraid of … [Read more...] about You the person and you ‘the boss’
My favorite spokesperson homilies
During 30 years in PR I trained hundreds of spokespersons to talk to the press. As it turns out, the things that good spokespersons do apply equally well to any form of communication. Behold, my favorite spokesperson homilies, with applications for … [Read more...] about My favorite spokesperson homilies
Seven lessons from a seasoned litigation communicator
This week poseycorp’s working remotely at the Utah State Bar Summer Convention in sunny Coronado, California. Mostly because that’s where my Dad is this week, and I want to be where he is! Besides, I like being surrounded by lawyers, having spent a … [Read more...] about Seven lessons from a seasoned litigation communicator
Humans aren’t coin-operated
You are an innovator with a beautiful idea. You have a plan to turn that beautiful idea into a business. Now all you need is a team. So, how do you get the best people? How can you ever afford them?? Money is not the only thing you have to offer … [Read more...] about Humans aren’t coin-operated
Nourish your ecosystem
Every business is an ecosystem. You may have a supply chain, resellers, joint marketing agreements, affiliates in global markets, accountants, creative agencies. You may have a Board and shareholders. At the very least, you have clients or … [Read more...] about Nourish your ecosystem