Entries Tagged as 'communicate'

Platform Power – eliminate your anxiety when speaking!

It’s painful watching someone speak who is filled with anxiety. How are you at controlling your nervousness?

Understand that the audience can tell immediately when you are panicked. This unrest is typically caused by lack of self-confidence, which is then exacerbated by poorly drafted presentations, little or no practice, and not knowing your audience. Think about a nervous speaker you previewed; did their anxiety build confidence in their message? Or were you just hoping they would make it through? Using a planning model helps reduce anxiety because it gives you structure and the knowledge that you are organized and in control.

Construction: Use the following 11-point model to plan your presentation. This model can also be used for planning meetings, writing newsletters and more.

Love the one you’re with

Love the one you're with

Interestingly I’ve had several email’s in the last two days concerning couples growing apart. It must be getting close to a full moon.

My reply’s were very similar. If you think your partner is drifting away from how the relationship used to be, take action. It is your personal responsibility (and mine) to go the extra mile. Ask them for help. Take the approach that you are trying to be a better partner by being more caring, or whatever you choose, and need them to help you recognize and identify how you could be more caring.

Sexes in meetings: How gender science creates successful outcomes

Most men will not even remember reading this blog. Don’t take my word for it, read Leadership and the Sexes: Using Gender Science to Create Success in Business by Michael Gurian and Barbara Annis. Their findings are helping business communities and leadership improve communication, team development and general gender concerns.

Book Cover

Close your mouth if you don’t Open your mind: the ultimate in Toxic People

Yesterday was our annual home owners meeting at our cabin in the White Mountains of Arizona. Betsy, our President is just excellent and ran a smooth meeting. When we finished, we had a delightful potluck at the home of one of our neighbors, who had guests visiting from out of state.

The setting is rural and everyone who has chosen to live here, either part or full time, participates in the outdoors in some fashion. Fishing, birding and hiking are certainly our past times!

Fishing at Big Lake Arizona

Reach the “Summitt” in Communications

We are huge College Sports fans and especially University of Tennessee. The Lady Vols won the National Basketball Championship last night. Pat Summit, their coach, is the perfect role model and mentor in communications, motivation and leadership. The game was supposed to be very close. They won handily over Stanford.

My step daughter, Karen, sent me this email and I believe there is a lesson here for us all… Don’t let your mouth over load your goals.

Mental Terrorism and A Simple Apology

Have you ever messed up so bad that you were embarrassed to even bring it up no less apologize? I have and I did! I was scheduled for a professional development meeting and missed the start time. Being late is rude, unprofessional, and intolerable. My internal communication went wild.

In my ultimate wisdom, I “upgraded” technology meaning my world has been turned upside down. My mind is spilling over with new gadgetry including an iCal calendar that I have been told is much better than anything on the market. Grind that up with a new “upgraded” iPhone cell phone, and I am totally nuts.

The Good, The Bad and The WINNER … communications!

I hooked myself into Donald Trump’s, The Celebrity Apprentice and was baffled last week when Piers Morgan won over Trace Adkins.

Donald Trump

Trace seemed to be the “Good” and Piers seemed to be the “Evil.” In the boardroom with Trump, Piers made it all to clear that The Celebrity Apprentice was all about communications, business and focus. His comment was right on. Mr. Trump had specifically directed the contestants that the crown would be awarded to whomever raised the most amount of money and they would be declared the winner. It was not about being “nice” or “liked.” Piers listened to the instructions and proceeded to accomplish the assignment. And the winner is communications.

Pay Attention to Your Internal Communications

The information that is available to each of us continues to amaze me. My cousin in Florida sent me this link on Jill Taylor’s TED Talk. I thought, “Oh boy, another email that has fwd: in the subject line” – but for some reason I clicked on the link … and am glad I did. My personal development and professional communications has improved from the information. Do you pay attention to the good information available or are you too self absorbed to expand your knowledge?

Internal Communications and Personal Responsibility

I continue to be amazed at the people that do not take personal responsibility for their lives. In reading the news this morning, the article titled Police: Texas Toddler may have been crushed by obese relative.

Weight control has always been an issue with me and I know every bite that goes in my mouth is going to show up somewhere on my bod. Toxic Behavior? Perhaps. I also know I am not “obese” and if I was – I would do the best exercise of all, pushing away from the table. Or maybe this one … eat less and exercise more! Here is the question… is it such poor self worth that people cannot control what they put in their pie hole? When you put on an extra 20 – 30 pounds, don’t you notice that your clothes no longer fit properly? Maybe you need to get stuff from Larry Winget!!

The Dark Side of Valentine’s Day

I’ve been happily married for 15 years and we both hate Valentines Day. Shouldn’t every day be spent caring about your loved one? Why just one day? Does that mean you can be a jerk or a toxic person the rest of the time?

This has not been a focus of mine, until I received a call from the New York Times reporter, Lisa Belkin. She interviewed me for an article for the Styles section about exactly this theme. To view the article click here.