When I step on stage to speak, I get 8 seconds before the listener decides how to categorize me: worth attention, or time to check my mobile email What are your first words? When I meet someone at a conference, a party, an event… again – we have 8 seconds. Catch attention, or the other … Read more
7 Challenges of Weak Communciators These are 7 challenges that can be overcome if you take the time to improve your communication skills. Some have very quick fixes, others require considerable practice to turn into strengths. I lose people’s attention easily People agree, but then do nothing People avoid my phone calls (… at least … Read more
Let Go of Things Others Can Do – Avoid busy-ness as a sign of productivity Encourage Initiative – Allow falling-forward-failure, Destroy comfort-zone; The Institutional Yes Direction and Discipline – Ensure people have goals and know how they are doing Excruciating Accountability – hold themselves and others to clear process goals (under own control) Focus – Don’t dilute energy; … Read more
Daniel Shi gives a simple but profound answer to “How can I learn to be more Influential?” over on Quora: I think that you can certainly become influential without having to do something “extraordinary.” 7 Steps to become more Influential Connect with many people. Learn that just because someone may not be important today, it doesn’t … Read more
What is Charisma? In the words of Dr. Nick Morgan “Charisma is focussed emotion.” There are 2 ways to increase your capacity to deliver “Focussed Emotion” when you speak: Remove Distractions: remove all distractions 30 minutes before you speak Care: know how the message of your speech can change people’s quality of life Watch the … Read more
“Social Media is not about technology, it is about the relationships you can form” Charlene Li, author of Groundswell. I had the privilege of having coffee with Charlene Li before she spoke to 400 people in IESE Business School’s Aula Magna in Barcelona at the HSM Social Media event. Watch the video of our interview on 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
I have prepared a series of short videos for my IESE courses this year. This is a 3 minute video outlining the 4 attitudes that an audience will have towards you as a speaker and how to approach each of these 4 types of audience. (The video is here on my blog). I wrote about … Read more
I have prepared a series of short videos for my IESE courses this year. This is a 3 minute video describing Aristotle’s Rhetorical Triad, the 3 pillars of persuasion. You need to connect with an audience on each of these three levels if you wish to move them to action. (The video is here on … Read more
I have prepared a series of short videos for my IESE courses this year. This is a 3 minute video describing the 5 aspects of a powerful speaking voice. A powerful voice will transmit authority to your audience and allow them to engage with you as a credible leader. The five aspects of a … Read more