July/August 2015

Little words tell a big story

After a hiatus from bloggging, due to my month-long sojourn at American University, I'm back with some reflections on little words that can be big communications disrupters.

And I've posted details about my first Executive Communications Skills One-Day Blitz! workshop of the fall. Check them out here.

 Tips you can use!

Yes, they are looking at you!

Maintain your centered, grounded "leadership persona" when you get offstage or leave the podium. Even when you're in the  audience, active listening and attentiveness can reinforce your authority and credibility.

Days get longer; speeches don't

Things around the office might be slower in the summer, but resist the temptation to add to the slower pace by running long when you speak. If anything, keep speeches and meeting presentations shorter than you usually do (which should always run 10% shorter than you think they "need" to be). People want to get out and enjoy their day, not be stuck late at the office because you forgot to edit your remarks.  

From sauna to freezer
Experiencing a multitude of temperatures throughout the day poses a fashion dilemma for even the most savvy woman in business. As an alternative to the old standby office cardigan, try wearing a shawl to provide a extra layer of warmth fashionably. Added bonus: A rolled up shawl takes up less room in your brief bag or tote than a folded cardigan!

June 2015

Getting the story out

Why do writers write? This month's post discusses the human compulsion to share stories. Don't ignore that power, even in unlikely situations.

If you can take a professional development day this summer, think about   tuning up your communication skill set in my Executive Communications Skills: One-Day Blitz? Check my workshop schedule for upcoming workshop dates.

 Tips you can use!

Simplify, simplify, simplify

Your clarity of expression mirrors your clarity of thought. If listeners gets lost in your dependent clauses or confusing vocabulary they'll stop listening. Use simple sentences and active verbs. It's easier to keep an audience with you than to get them back! 

Be bold this summer!
Now is a good time to clean out and polish up your communication toolkit. Try a new approach! Fewer folks around can mean more in-depth feedback, and a slightly slower pace gives you more opportunity to tweak, refine and try again. Look at the tools you are using and see how you can creatively maximize their potential. Come fall and you'll be ready to hit the ground running. 

You may be hot but are you warm?
You may think you don't need that vocal warm-up because you aren't feeling the back and neck tension that comes from a winter's worth of shoulder-hunching. But remember, runners warm up before a race, even when it's hot out. You should, too.

May 2015

Conversation stoppers

Are you constantly being- - -where did you put my . . . oh, sorry . . . you were saying? In my lastest blog post I write about different views on interruptions.

And if you haven't done your professional skills spring tune-up, may I suggest my Executive Communications Skills: One-Day Blitz? Check my workshop schedule for upcoming workshop dates.

Tips you can use!

Look into the lens

When you're taping and the interviewer or producer tells you to look into the camera, make sure you do it. Though we naturally disengage from our speaking partner occasionally in "real life"—to avoid the awkward stare—doing so on camera makes you look shifty. So keep your eyes glued to the lens.

Keep your chin down
Be sure to keep the top of your head parallel to the ceiling when you are speaking. Short people in particular have a tendency to tip the chin up, which is unattractive (especially on video) and puts unnecessary strain on your voice. If you are speaking to someone much taller, take a step back to increase your viewing angle.

It's OK to say "I don't know"
In the information age you can't be expected to know everything at any given second. If you make something up, chances are someone else in the room will have Googled the real answer by the time you've finished.