Connecting with Others is a Skill, as Well as a Talent
Let me share a secret with you.
The ability to make a strong first impression, influence and persuade people, spread ideas. To get seen, get heard, and get raises … most people aren’t born with that.
Even the smartest, most talented people in the world can have trouble saying the right words in the right way to make the impact they need to make.
That’s the good news.
Because it means these skills can be developed.
This is what I offer. Simple, concrete steps to strengthen critical communication skills. And I do it in a way that’s fun and that sticks.
Do you represent a business organization, association, or women’s group? You can help your people connect with each other and with the world more powerfully and persuasively … and have fun doing it.
Do you need more personal attention than a speaking event offers? For smaller groups or even one-on-one, coaching sessions may be the right way to go.
Do you represent a business organization, association, or women’s group? You can help your people connect with each other and with the world more powerfully and persuasively … and have fun doing it.
Do you need more personal attention than a speaking event offers? For smaller groups or even one-on-one, coaching sessions may be the right way to go.
Latest Blog Posts
Who’s Sorry Now?
Who's Sorry Now? You see them in the news all the time—the non-apologetic apology. “Sorry if I embarrassed you and your family and friends.” “I sincerely regret any miscommunication that contributed to this result." “I’m sorry if anyone was offended by that picture of my children holding AR-47s.” "We are disheartened by the way this situation unfolded…” And of course, there’s the classic non-apology: “Mistakes were made.” The truth is, mistakes are made. Often. Sometimes, by us. You’ve been there, I’m sure. You make a sharp remark and then wish you’d kept that thought to yourself. You misinterpret what somebody said and respond more harshly than you should have. You miss a deadline, show up late for an appointment, or fall short on a commitment. That’s when it’s time for a sincere apology. Emphasis on “sincere.” Not back-handed, not a fauxpology, but an honest-to-goodness acknowledgement of our own screw-up and an expression of remorse.
Speak Their Language
Speak their language. What do you say? A better question might be “How do you say it?”.
Marketing genius Seth Godin was writing about writing this week. I had speaking in mind, though, when I read this in his newsletter: “It’s tempting to simply focus our attention on the text itself… But messages merely begin with the text. The rhythm, presentation, source, and context deliver most of what we take away from a message.” Amen to that! A client preparing for an important speech came to my office dining room table this week with a copy of her speech. It was fine. And “fine” isn’t exactly a home run, is it? My job is to help my client bring this talk from fine to fabulous.
#girlblog
How did you react to the “#girlblog” title? Maybe you smiled. Or maybe you thought, “Who is she calling a “girl” … and why? Or maybe you shrugged and moved on. Your response may well depend on your age. And your familiarity with TikTok. We’ve seen a wave of #girl the past few months. Girl dinners, random food from the fridge, eaten alone, possibly standing over the sink. Hot girl walks, taken without a companion and without regard to how the walker looks. Even girl rotting, which seems to mean lying around your room doing nothing for hours on end. Young women have shared images of their girl moments on social media. Eating, walking, or lounging, what they have in common the absence of male participation. Thus #girl. For many of us, “girl” has long felt insulting or patronizing. As full-grown adult women, we want to be seen as equals to our male counterparts, not children to be patted on the head and indulged. Or dismissed.
