February, 2017

Communing as community

In this month's blog I reflect on how my practice as a communications coach is informed by my work as a playwright.

And check out this link for upcoming dates for Executive Communications Skills: The One-Day Blitz.

Tips you can use!

Show, don't tell

 It's true that one picture is worth a thousand words. Remember that when you put your slide deck together. Peppering a slide with words and then reading them to your audience is just plain boring! And if you don't read what is on the slide but talk over it, your audience will be doubly confused.

It's OK if they see you breathe. . .

And not just because you need to breathe to speak. Becoming overly self-conscious while speaking is a trap to avoid. Stay out of your mental cul-de-sac by saying "yes" to the breath; do it deeply, freely, and proudly!

Away with vocal fry

Or creaky voice or "gravelly ugh" (my pet name). Whatever you call it, it might be acceptable in private conversation, but when you stand up to speak in public, that sound can undercut your credibility. Using such a voice gives the impression that you're not at all well or you just don't care. Hard to overcome either and still be seen as professional.

January 2017

Only connect

Happy New Year! This month's blog discusses the secret to making those crucial communications connections. Hint: It's not just your words that matter.

And check out this link for upcoming dates for my ever-popular workshop Executive Communications Skills: The One-Day Blitz.

Tips you can use!

Lose the need to win

The new year is a good time to assess where you fall on the continuum of confidence, over-confidence, and bullying. People love a "winner," but if that win comes at the expense of relationship-building, your success will be short-lived. So if your ego is intruding into your communication, you might want to give it a rest.

Resolve to prepare

Want to find extra time this year? It sounds counter-intuitive, but the more time you put in up front--like organizing a meeting status update into a succinct, cohesive, clear statement--the less time you'll spend after cleaning up the messes that result from misspeaking "on the fly."

Go to the light

When speaking to a group informally at events like receptions, be sure to stand in the light. People need to see you to fully understand you. And I mean that quite literally: if they can't see your mouth it's much harder for them to hear what you're saying.

December 2016

A holiday wish list

As the year draws to a close I'd like to say "thank you" to all my loyal readers, clients and colleagues. So I'm sending you a list of wishes that will help you become better speakers in 2017 (if not before)!

And resolve to start the New Year right with my ever-popular workshop Executive Communications Skills: The One-Day Blitz. Check out this link for specifics on the January and February sessions.

and....

I am happy to announce that I have been selected by the Women's Media Center to join their SheSource team, as an expert in Communications, Women's Leadership, Public Speaking, Media and Entertainment.

Tips you can use!

Make the most of every party

Networking opportunities abound at holiday parties, so be sure you're prepared! Practice your well-crafted one-sentence intro till you can just drop it into a conversation, and you'll be ready for every social event this season.

Celebrate appropriately

It's fun to cut loose, but think twice if you're giving a toast or making a speech. There's a fine line between relaxed and tipsy. If you DO find yourself called upon to speak in such circumstances, fight against the induced inclination toward expansiveness and keep it short.

Relax!

'Tis the season for too much of everything, and sometimes that leads to stress! You can combat that by breathing--deeply and often. Luckily, delicious aromas and scents surround us during the holidays. So take a deep breath of that wonderful balsam or gingerbread and unwind, unbend, and start smiling again.