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
Who’s reading/listening/watching?
In June, we talked about the power of soundbites. They stick in our ears. We can remember them for years. Want to reach into a human’s mind? Use a soundbite! But what if your message is getting intermediated by AI? If the human is not watching … [Read more...] about Who’s reading/listening/watching?
Have mercy on your audience
If I am reaching for my phone every three minutes to look up some acronym you just mentioned in a talk, you are making me work to listen to you. Don’t make me work to listen to you. The minute I grab my phone, you’ve lost me for the duration, because … [Read more...] about Have mercy on your audience
Skill + content + intention = magic!
What makes a great spokesperson? Skill for sure. Quality of content, absolutely. But there’s a third component that can be overlooked: attitude and intention. Soundbites and stories stick in peoples’ heads. You can deliver high-quality stories … [Read more...] about Skill + content + intention = magic!
Perception. It’s still reality.
“Perception is reality.” Lee Atwater coined this phrase in political campaigning because he understood that what people think is more powerful than what’s true. Objectivity does not exist. This can be super frustrating, but it’s … [Read more...] about Perception. It’s still reality.
Politeness, discernment, and persistence
Answering questions is a very particular skill. An expert spokesperson - whether they are on a podcast, an earnings call, an All Hands, or a tough media interview - does these three things well: Acknowledge that a fellow human said words. … [Read more...] about Politeness, discernment, and persistence
Be consistent
We spent February on the formula for delivering a great story. In March we’re talking about how to deliver it. “Oh look at that shiny thing over there! Everyone’s talking about it! I’d much rather talk about that than our boring old messaging!” … [Read more...] about Be consistent
Build a bridge
We spent February on the formula for delivering a great story. In March we’re talking about how to deliver it. Whenever you communicate with anyone you are crossing a bridge. You are trying to get part of what’s in your mind into the uncharted … [Read more...] about Build a bridge
Citizens of different countries
We spent February on the formula for delivering a great story. In March we’re talking about how to deliver it. Every great story has a problem. But what kind of problem is going to spike your audience’s cortisol so they’ll pay attention long … [Read more...] about Citizens of different countries
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!
