No wonder organizations are asking for my expertise on civil discourse. It’s getting tougher all the time, isn’t it, to explore differing perspectives on issues without sinking to negativity and name-calling. I’ve been developing ideas about that since my days as a talk show host, and I had a chance last week to share them with some savvy professional women. So, howd o we go from furious to curious?
Catherine Johns | Jun 8, 2022
If I never came across the phrase “bullied over a childhood speech impediment” in another news story it would be a wonderful thing.
There it is, in the profiles of the Uvalde, Texas school shooter. The young man was a classic misfit who had, among his many other issues, “a stutter and a strong lisp.” Friends and family say the kids had always picked on him about the way he talked; it got so bad he didn’t want to go to school. They’re not excusing his murderous rampage, and I’m certainly not either. I am saying it’s a shame kids, and sometimes adults too, are so mean about speech difficulties. And it’s so sad when students don’t get help to deal with those difficulties.
As you might have guessed, I have a personal interest in this teasing about talking ...
Catherine Johns | Jun 1, 2022
As important as our words are, our voices also send a message, quite apart from the language we use in any given situation. It’s worth considering what that message might be and whether it serves us well. The author of Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges says when we feel powerful our voices grow. “When we feel powerful,” Amy Cuddy explains, we initiate speech more often. “We speak more slowly and take more time. We don’t rush. We’re not afraid to pause. We feel entitled to the time we’re using.” Ahhh. That’s interesting, isn’t it?
Catherine Johns | May 25, 2022
If we want to be excellent at our profession, whatever it is, we need feedback to help us get there. When it comes to speaking, the best public speakers always solicit feedback. That’s how they get to be the best; they’re always learning how to improve. And speakers aren’t alone in this, are they? Professionals in any area who move ahead are the ones who seek feedback on their work, and then act on the input they get from colleagues, coaches, and clients. On the flip side, there’s an art to offering feedback they can act on, that gives them something useful, that really supports their development.
Catherine Johns | May 4, 2022
If we want to be excellent at our profession, whatever it is, we need feedback to help us get there. When it comes to speaking, the best public speakers always solicit feedback. That’s how they get to be the best; they’re always learning how to improve. And speakers aren’t alone in this, are they? Professionals in any area who move ahead are the ones who seek feedback on their work, and then act on the input they get from colleagues, coaches, and clients. On the flip side, there’s an art to offering feedback they can act on, that gives them something useful, that really supports their development.
Catherine Johns | Apr 27, 2022
