The holidays are here, which makes me think of gifts, which reminds me of the key thing I tell every single client I meet: “Your talk is a gift, not a performance.” Why? Because if you want someone’s attention, what you’re saying must be … [Read more...] about Your talk is a gift
May you live in interesting times
Is that famous expression, “May you live in interesting times” a curse? A blessing? Both? If you’re part of the tech industry like I am, we are indeed living through interesting times. It’s exhausting, exhilarating, confounding. But we are … [Read more...] about May you live in interesting times
Know your nervous system
Helping clients face their stage fright is a core communications coach capability. A brilliant Eng VP knows exactly what she needs to say, she has a great demo prepared, she has credibility with her audience. The only thing she doesn’t have is … [Read more...] about Know your nervous system
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!
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
Why?
Do you know your Why? Simon Sinek’s work is now ubiquitous. We all know how much a Why matters. When you communicate from your Why, your purpose shines through in everything you say and do. Your audiences feel it. You reach not just their heads, … [Read more...] about Why?
Incrementalism
There is no substitute for daily practice. Real change comes from consistent, patient, disciplined, daily focus on new behavior. Want to learn to patiently listen during difficult conversations with employees? A daily practice of meditation will … [Read more...] about Incrementalism
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
Plans. Good.
If you want to do a terrible media interview, don’t have a plan. Don’t be clear about your business objective, don’t define a communications objective that will help you achieve your business objective, and definitely don’t have messages or proof … [Read more...] about Plans. Good.
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
