November 2016

Boxed In

When we're expert at something we need to remember that not everyone speaks our language. This month's blog has some tips for the best way to communicate what you know so well.

Time to sharpen those speaking skills? Need to become a more active listener? Want to work your leaderhip presence?  Check out this link for upcoming dates for my ever-popular workshop Executive Communications Skills: The One-Day Blitz.

Tips you can use!

Be memorable
When introducing yourself at a networking event don't lead with your title and business name. If your workplace doesn't ring a bell you end up wasting precious time explaining what the business does, and not who you are. Better use that time to give a glimpse of what makes you special. People do business with people, not workplaces.

Check the mic
Where there's a mic there's a sound guy or gal. Listen, watch and learn when they tell you what to do, how to turn it on, whether there's red light to check, etc. When you open your speech by thumping the mic or asking "is this on?" you look like a rube. Which is a strategy. Just make sure it's the one you want!  

Get a flu shot
If you won't do it for yourself ('cuz maybe you don't want to stay healthy during the stressful crazybusy season?), do it to protect your "herd." Seriously. Don't be the one who sickens your office mates who can't get the flu shot because you read somewhere it might give you a case of the flu. It can't and it won't.

October 2016

Comfortable in Her Skin

Candidates' debates call on multiple areas of a speaker's expertise. While most of us won't ever be put through such a grueling exercise, there is much we can learn from watching. Read my blog review of the first debate here.

Interested in a workshop? Check out this link for upcoming dates for my ever-popular One-Day Blitz.

Tips you can use!

Try on your leadership shoes
Don't save your "powerful" new shoes for that special presentation. Wear them around the house to break them in.  Because it's hard to look and sound like a leader when your feet are killing you.

You need to eat. . .
The truth is your brain needs glucose to work. If you are hungry or dieting, your thinking may be fuzzy, and so will your speaking.   
Find your own "bridge phrase"
When you need time to think whip out your bridge phrase! It can rescue you from that dreaded silence. Practice, practice, practice till it feels natural rolling off your tongue. It will help you break the habit of relying on "um" or "so" to fill the void!

September 2016

True trickiness of tone

This month's blog shares some observations made during a reading of my latest play at The Kennedy Center. The realtionship of words said to tone used to say them is, I think, something we can all apply to real life situations.

Fall Workshops are back! Check out this link for upcoming dates for my ever-popular One-Day Blitz.

Tips you can use!

Toungue twisters to the rescue
Make sure your mouth is awake before you start your day by doing a few tongue twisters in the shower or on your way to the office. Take a minute to warm up your "talking muscles" before your day of calls, meetings, and chats. You won't get tripped up by the old mumble/stumble again! 

Breathe
 This tip is evergreen--because it is always needed! Each day I hear people who forget to do the most basic thing before they start to speak: Breathe! Even if you haven't had a chance to do your daily breathing/centering warm-ups, taking a good deep breath before you start to say anything will help you speak with energy and focus.

 

. . . and breathe again!
Just because you've gotten off to a good start in your speech doesn't mean you are out of the woods! Fear can still overtake you. Be vigilant and keep the "speakers nerves" from wrecking your presentation by mindfully breathing throughout. A "note to self" written on your outline or text about 2/3 of the way through can't hurt, either!