Embracing Discomfort

Lack of Follow-Through.Commit to the 24-hour rule. Respond to emails and phone messages within 24 hours. Even if you don’t have the answer or information requested, let the sender know you’re working on the action request. Follow through on your word. Don’t make...

“We are not just our behavior. We are the person managing our behavior.” ~ Ken Blanchard, Ph.D. When was the last time you asked someone to give you feedback?  The response you received may have sounded something like, “Nice job. You did well.”  You’ve been told...

An influential communicator is consistent with how they deliver a message as well as the words they speak during ALL situations Monday to Monday. We need to be consistent to be trusted. When you’re consistent through your words and actions, your reputation builds...

Miscommunication can cost an organization 25 percent to 40 percent of its annual budget.(Linchpin Learning Manchester Companies)  A business with 100 employees spends an average downtime of 17 hours a week clarifying communications, translating to an annual cost of...

When you Google “visual aids,” the definition is not “your notes.” Yet how many times have you observed in agony a PowerPoint deck that resembles a textbook? According to Carmine Gallo in his book, Talk Like Ted, The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top...

“I always believed that the more I said, the more knowledgeable I was perceived … until I heard myself on a video playback,” confessed a recent session participant. One of the unique characteristics of an influential communicator is an ability to adapt a message on...

Many of us take for granted our image and reputation, which can be built up or jeopardized through technology.  Participating in a Skype call is just as important as presenting live to a group. By avoiding the following five pitfalls, you improve your relationship...

The majority of us get caught up in our own head, getting trapped in the negative talk that takes control of our conversations. “What if I don’t know what to say?” “What if I forget what to say?” “What if I say something wrong?” Overcome your “what ifs?” Trust your...

Our words will either impact or distract our listeners from taking action on what we have to say. Having influence Monday to Monday requires more than simply showing up and having a conversation. The level of influence my team and I teach requires one to be...

Three Steps for Following Through Even When You Don’t Have Time “I don’t have time to respond.” “We are in the midst of a demanding project.” “Your email message must have gotten trapped in my spam file.” Whatever your excuses are, others’ trust, confidence and...

We are all guilty. We shoot off email after email when a face-to-face or phone conversation in some situations would save time and have greater influence. Think about how many times you hit “reply” or “forward” today. Now calculate how much time was wasted going...