As my clients are going back into the office, many are feeling awkward with small talk and in-person meetings and presentations. Small talk is important in our culture. Small talk enables us to quickly build rapport, connect with others, make a positive impression, and build trust. This results in developing and maintaining relationships that are […]
effective communicating
3 Ways to Influence Emotions In Our Audience
As speakers, we need to be intentional about how we use our emotions for influence. I am often asked by clients how they can be more influential with the emotions of their audiences. Some have an ask for their senior leadership, others want their audience to accept a change within their organizational processes or procedures, […]
Gratitude: Don’t Underestimate This Communication Superpower
I like to think of gratitude as a communication superpower. You might be familiar with research that touts the benefits of cultivating a gratitude habit: higher levels of happiness and well-being, less stress, and greater resilience. Gratitude is a positive communications practice that not only improves my own well-being, but the well-being of others. Here […]
3 Lessons for an Effective Speaking Process
We all have hurdles to navigate for an effective speaking process to make a difference with our message. As the weather has warmed, my husband and I took a quick trip up to the mountains near where we live to do some hiking. Unbeknownst to me, my husband had chosen a hike that did not […]
Use VUCA For More Strategic Communication
Let VUCA Help You Become A Better Communicator The term VUCA was first used in 1987 to describe the Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity of general conditions and situations, which aptly describe what we are experiencing today. How can we use VUCA for more strategic communication and speaking? Volatility. Not many could have foreseen the […]
5 Ways to Enhance Your Credibility as a Speaker
Like it or not, your audience, not you, decides on your credibility as speaker. Credibility is characterized as a speaker’s competence (knowledge of his/her subject matter) and character (trustworthiness and goodwill towards his/her audience). A speaker’s credibility can be a moving target as it can vary from audience to audience, and it can even change […]