I fell in love with the word when I was teaching speech in college. When pronounced fully — as it almost never is — it produces a clear sense of tying things together. And! The easy open vowel supplies a container for many things, then the tongue embraces them with a sonorously vibrating “n” to…
People who are skilled in interpersonal communication pay a lot of attention to the specifics of eye communication. Classically, we value strong eye contact, especially in interviews and one-on-one meetings. Neurolinguistic Programming teaches that we each have a primary learning mode with eye movements that correspond. Here are the modes, movements and characteristics: VISUAL –…
When I suggest that people in corporations refine communication by speaking their truth, by the expressions on their faces, you might think I’ve announced the arrival of Godzilla. Yet, this simple-but-powerful practice might be the answer to most workplace communication challenges. I recently worked with a small group to facilitate teamwork and unravel an intense…
Authority and influence are consistently identified as two essential elements for leadership and effective management. The American Heritage Dictionary defines authority as “the power to command.” I interpret the power to command as the ability to consistently and strongly influence. In other words, to lead or impact the behavior of others. If you look up…
“Count to ten.” You probably heard this age-old panacea for controlling anger on the playground. Or, maybe your mother told it to you at very early age to keep you from trouncing a sibling. Like many old sayings it’s the simplification of a profound truth — that you can never solve a problem from the…
Surprising synchronicity. That’s what I would call the events that began my personal education to some of the fundamentals effective teamwork. First I get a call from a client requesting general information on my programs with a specific interest in team building. Then I notice that a train the team builder class is being given…
Definition of “embody:” To invest with bodily form To personify an idea To represent in concrete form To make part of a system or whole To embody a particular philosophy, approach, or skill set incorporates each of the bulleted definitions of “embody” listed above. Even with the definition bulleted out for us, the exact meaning…
Over the years of teaching Communication Skills I have relished the opportunity to go deeper. When a client’s needs evoke the finer points of self-exploration and personal growth to achieve stronger leadership, the work and the results are incredibly rewarding. Leading groups to find courage and refined levels of resiliency and skill for handling conflict…
One of the first things people ask for in their relationship with a coach or consultant is confidentiality. Clients often begin by stating: “What I’m about to say is off the record.” It is certainly important to establish that the information and feelings we share will be held with integrity. Without establishing mutual trust it…
William Bridges, a leading workplace futurist and authority on change, identifies RESILIENCE as one of the characteristics essential for success in today’s workplace. In his book Job-Shift he defines it as the ability to: Bend, Not Break Learn / Release Old Patterns Bounce Back Quickly Live with High Levels of Uncertainty Find Security Within I…