As an external coach and trainer, I’ve spent the past fifteen years or so supporting leaders to communicate more effectively. In doing this I’ve noticed common challenges that leaders face in consiste...
How are your words shaping your world? The words we use impact not only those around us, but our own well-being andability to deal with challenges.The current challenges we face in our daily...
In today’s climate of frequent virtual meetings it’s as important to be able to communicate well online as it is in person.
After all, succeeding in your career is about more than jus...
W.A.I.T…
Why - Am - I - Talking?
I love this acronym! It reminds me to consider what I’m saying and whether its the right thing to say in the moment.
These are some of the questions t...
Walking Coaching
Tired of virtual meetings? Here’s something different.
There is nothing like a good walk to help clear your mind, boost your energy, and help you consider best opti...
Responding to Requests.
How often do you get asked to do something?
If you are like most, it would be at least once a day, but likely numerous times
throughout the day.
This ...
How many requests of others do you make in a day?
How many in a week?
How many in a year?
We can’t function in life alone. Making requests are a a vital part of communicating an...
You may be wondering how motorbikes connect to coaching. In many ways, they don’t connect. But, I want to share the story of how one of my clients used something he was familiar with...
I’ve been providing virtual coaching and training for the past 14 years and while the technology has changed in that time (now we have video and I have to look presentable) and some thin...
Becoming a better communicator is entirely possible. But just wanting to be better doesn't make it happen. Like learning to play an instrument, or any other skill, it takes effort and...
Communicating well, like any other skill, is something that we can learn to do. And something that we can get better at with practice. I’ve often come across a misguided belief that we are...
The Bad - And The Good
The bad news about communication habits is that they are ingrained and we do them without even being conscious of it, the good news is that once we are aware of our h...
As I opened a new bank account some time ago, the young woman serving me was efficient and professional and we proceeded through the process quickly. That was until she started to explain th...
As an external coach and trainer, I’ve spent the past fifteen years or so supporting leaders to communicate more effectively. In doing this I’ve noticed common challenges that leaders face i...
If you love business networking, you’re probably in the minority. I haven’t got any official numbers on how many people love or hate this ‘thing’ we need to do in some form or the other...
How often do you do these things while you’re ‘listening’ to someone else:
You nod and smile and pretend to listen, but your mind is somewhere else
You don’t give them your full atte...
When was the last time you experienced an awkward office interaction?
Navigating the complex world of human interaction is something we do on a daily basis, yet can still get wrong after ...
Organizations spend thousands of dollars on communication skills training yet so often nothing permanent changes. Sure, some useful techniques are learned and even used for a short time, but...
When was the last time you stopped to think about your brain?
If you’re like most people you go throughout the day using your brain (although there is always the argument that some people d...
Have you ever been forced to slow down?
I spent some time this week reflecting on how an injury two years ago forced me to slow down and reflect on my own communication habits.
I’m an...
Paul considers himself a reasonably good communicator. He leads a team of eight, reports directly to the CFO and deals with a handful of established clients. Generally things go well. Howeve...
Tell them what you are going to tell them
Then tell them
Tell them what you told them
Have you ever been given this advice about speaking?
I began my training and public speaki...
Bill knows that communication skills are not his strength. He also knows he wasn’t promoted to Vice President because of his communication skills. He’s worked in finance for years, knows...
Sorry I got our meeting time wrong, I’d read your message on my i-phone
Could you please resend the document – I deleted it from my phone
Sorry I responded in that tone, I read your me...
Imagine these scenarios:
You are presenting a plan for a new project at a board meeting, 10 senior board members are watching you. You stand up, deliver your presentation with ease and ...