How to Start a Speech How to start a speech. How do these five speakers capture your attention and engage you at the beginning of their talks? Watch the first minute of each speaker. How did they begin? What was the first word? What did this achieve? Which speaker is hardest to stop watching after 60 seconds? … Read more
“Tell me about yourself?” How do you respond to this most simple of questions? This is the question that starts many friendships, job interviews, professional relationships and team experiences. However, in many cases… the way that we answer ruins the possibility of creating something great. How do you answer this question? Andrew Dlugan provides an … Read more
This is a guest post from Valerio Flumini. Valerio is a business consultant. He loves learning, problem solving and great people. He combined all three during his MBA at IESE Business School in Barcelona; he will shortly start a new career at Averda. The Super-Power of Persuasive Communication Last night, I was watching an episode … Read more
Pay €10 every time you use the word “but…” “But” is justification. It is proving that I am right. It is refusing to accept that my model of the world might need to adapt to a new and changing world. Who’s Listening? Could you do this tomorrow? If you can’t manage the whole day, how … Read more
This is a guest post from Tony Anagor who has been working with me this week in IESE. Tony has built a multi-million euro event management business in Barcelona. 3 years ago he told me that he had found his true passion. He works with individuals to clarify their purpose and give them the belief … Read more
There are 2 ways to call to action as you finish a speech. It is important in a persuasive speech to leave it clear to the audience what action they can take. There are 2 ways to present that action. Do you use effective call to actions when you communicate? Is can be powerful to … Read more
How should you listen to a speech? What is the most valuable attitude to develop as an audience member? Decide you are going to ask the first question at the end of the talk. Listen to the speaker and look for your question. There are three important benefits of asking the first question at … Read more
Here’s a new rule for people who wish to create a meeting: Al Pittampalli asks “What difference could you make that requires no one’s permission other than your own?” Do that first. Don’t call the meeting until you have done that. What do you think? Feasible? A Vaccination for The Meeting Virus? “Lets meet to … Read more
This post extends the 6 Ways to Get Your Email Ignored where I talked about 6 ways to increase the possibility that the reader acts upon your email. Content does not matter if the reader is not opening your emails. Vickram Ahuja commented on that post “How do you ensure your email gets READ” , highlighting the … Read more
“Water is fluid, soft, and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong.” Lao Tzu Soft Power is part of Leadership Soft Power is necessary … Read more