How to Tell Them Just Enough. You know I’m fascinated by words. I’m always happy to learn a new one. And this one particularly delighted me. Breviloquent. We can guess straight away what it means, can’t we? But just in case, Wordsmith tells us “breviloquent” is an adjective meaning: Using few words. It’s not just about keeping our talk short, however. The real issue isn’t clock time, it’s value.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. If you’ve been paying attention to the news, you know that President Trump has taken to ending his social media posts with, “Thank you for your attention to this matter.” If anybody can get attention just by opening their mouth or typing into their phone, it would be the president of the United States. Especially this president. And yet, there he is, thanking us for our attention. Now, how many business conferences, town halls, and even regular weekly department meetings fall flat because instead of being grateful, the person at the front of the room or the head of the table feels entitled to attention? Sure, maybe it’s true. Those people listening have to be sitting there. Somebody’s keeping track, making notes, taking attendance. Doesn’t matter. Attendance can be mandated. Attention can’t.
Just Breathe – Do this with me, will you? Wherever you’re sitting right now, settle yourself into your chair and take a breath. I mean really breathe all the way in, so you feel your rib cage expand. You may feel your shoulders rising—if so, let them drop again. You want to breathe deeply so the movement is lower in your body, down around your midsection, rather than in your upper chest and shoulders. Now breathe out all the way. Let your lungs empty fully so you have room for the next breath. You might notice the power center in your lower belly kind of turning on as your breathing energizes you. When you’re speaking at a conference table, on a Zoom screen, or on a stage, breathing is critical for a couple of reasons.
Do Project Managers Need Charisma? Do You? How important is charisma? This past weekend, earnest jobseekers heard everything from how to polish their LinkedIn profiles to the need for a product mindset at PMI Chicagoland’s Career Conference. Along with discovering, from me, how to embody confidence and charisma. I chose that word—embody—deliberately. Some refer to charisma as inborn or God-given, I believe that however we start out, we can become more charismatic. And making sometimes-subtle shifts in your physicality can help you get there.
Oh. And yes, charisma is important for those project managers. And it’s important for you too
