Here we are starting the second half of what has been a pretty chaotic year. It's not just what's going on in government, or our global and domestic economies; it's also what's going on in AI innovation. With acqui-hires, product announcements, and … [Read more...] about Wow! We’re half done with 2025!
Context switching is mood switching
The most disciplined leaders I know are able to shift not just their minds but their moods as they move from one topic to the next in a day’s worth of meetings. Are you leading people? If you had an awful budget meeting with your SVP right before … [Read more...] about Context switching is mood switching
Is panic a strategy?
Ryan Holiday’s The Obstacle Is The Way, is the perfect read for anyone facing huge unexpected, constant change. LIKE ALL OF US RIGHT NOW. Our nervous systems may go a bit crazy, which messes with our ability to make good decisions. Here’s Ryan on … [Read more...] about Is panic a strategy?
Less babbling please!
Saying less is so much better than saying more. ALWAYS. There are three absolutely vital skills every great communicator must master: Pause. Repeat yourself. Choose your words before you speak. It’s human nature when someone asks a … [Read more...] about Less babbling please!
Use your forcing functions
Almost every communications leader I’ve met wants to help their executives become better communicators, whether it’s for the All Hands, an industry panel, or CNBC. But it’s a rare executive that wants to devote time to skill-building when there’s … [Read more...] about Use your forcing functions
Stack rank your worries
When nothing feels certain, it can really help to focus on the basics. Don’t know whether or how tariffs will impact your business or what you’ll say about them when they do? Don’t know how the latest foundation model or lightweight open source model … [Read more...] about Stack rank your worries
Thanks for coming to my session!
Spring conference season is here! Are you leading a breakout session? Start by saying THANK YOU to the people who chose to walk into your session room! Acknowledge your audience’s discernment and good taste. They chose YOUR session, after … [Read more...] about Thanks for coming to my session!
One thing at a time
Want to be a better communicator — whether on podcasts, industry panels, or in media interviews? You will need to build skills! But please focus on building one skill at a time. If you’ve never done a TV interview before, you may think you need to be … [Read more...] about One thing at a time
Everything is communication
Not answering an email IS an answer to an email. An eyebrow raise can be more important than 30 minutes of talking. A quick text can bring down or elevate a whole company. Everything we do (and don’t do) communicates. This is why, when we wring … [Read more...] about Everything is communication
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
