It has become popular in certain circles to characterize wishing someone “Happy Holidays” as denying Christmas, as if anyone who says anything other than “Merry Christmas” intends to denigrate Christianity. Continue reading
Author: Donn King
You can lessen the grip of media-induced fear
I have heard many cry out in the last few days, “Media! Leave Newtown alone! You’re despicable!” The humane part of me agrees with this cry. But you have to understand something. That media frenzy that everyone decries? It’s all our fault. Continue reading
Stop worrying about learning styles
Regular readers here know I am somewhat skeptical of research about learning styles. I am far from alone on this.
Regular readers also know my frequent theme about the need for teachers and speakers to go beyond serving merely as information transmitters.
You can imagine my delight when I stumbled across a post that combines both of these, although you have to look several paragraphs into Getting Over Learning Styles to see the connection. Continue reading
Personality means everything in speaking
This is a frequent theme of mine: if we believe our primary value lies in standing at the front of the room and talking, we are in serious trouble.
Whether we are primarily speakers or classroom teachers, this is true. Standing at the front and talking is a form of information transfer. Audience members and students can find information more easily and cheaper than they can by going to all the trouble it takes to get in front of us. Continue reading
Speakers need confidence, not arrogance
Speakers serve their audiences better when they’re confident. Arrogance is a turn-off. Yet, arguably they are simply two sides of the same coin. Which are you?
I recently had an insightful conversation with my friend Lois Creamer. (Actually, I think every conversation I have with Lois is insightful.) We were talking about personality types, and she pointed out two different, each with large egos, who come across differently because of differences in “people skills.” Continue reading
Bonus post: Introverts, Parties, and Root Canals
A friend posted on Facebook some out loud thinking as to whether she dreaded more a root canal or going to a party, introvert that she is.
Another friend posted what became the first in a list. Here’s the list, with a bonus.
Ten Reasons a Root Canal is Better Than a Party for an Introvert
- A root canal won’t ask you if it can call you later. (Thanks to Katherine Bailey-Shaffer for that one.)
- Root canals take place in a small room with, perhaps, quiet music playing in the background.
- Root canals usually have a predictable time they will end.
- During a root canal, no one expects you to respond with witty conversation.
- Two words: nitrous oxide.
- A root canal is less like pulling teeth for an introvert.
- One, or at most two, people at a time.
- If you say something stupid, everybody blames the nitrous.
- You have something to grip.
- You’re not expected to invite the dentist over to your place next time.
And, bonus: Dentists usually use good mouthwash.
Bookmark the site. I’m working on a book about communication skills for introverts.
Can you relate to this list?
Delivery differentiates speaking from any other communication form
I’m privileged to observe an intelligent, capable leader develop even greater impact through learning more effective delivery as a speaker.
I can’t remember who said it to give proper credit, but someone once said that if you can give an effective speech and you can run a meeting, you can rule the world. Intentional overstatement though it might be, it gets at how important communication skills are. I’m seeing that in action. Continue reading
Speak where your audience lives
I’m not talking about going to their living rooms to deliver a speech. Rather, you must understand the audience point of view. Continue reading
Take the time to make your speech good
This seems like a no-brainer, but experience says it’s a common problem: people constantly give speeches without enough preparation.
It’s important to be clear that we’re not talking about memorizing the speech. We are talking about getting familiar with it, comfortable with it, even cozy with it. It’s a simple truth: that takes time.
Not just time spent with the outline, either. It requires what I call “soak time.” Continue reading
Guest post: How to Handle Bad News from Your Doctor
Another blog has published a guest post of mine about How to Handle Bad News from Your Doctor. That’s a particularly stressful communication situation that we have had a lot of experience with. Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen publishes a number of blogs I’ve followed for some time, and for whom I’ve written in the past. Glad to be connected again.