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3 Management Tips From The Avengers

by Scott Danielson

 

 

 

The summer movie season has started with a bang.  After years of anticipation and five films of preparation, Marvel Studio has finally released their super hero team up of Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, and the Hulk. Excitement has been especially high here in Cleveland (VoicePro’s® headquarters), since many of the scenes in The Avengers were shot in the downtown area, with locals filling the ranks of the extras. 

The results have been unprecedented.

The Avengers has broken box office records, critics are giving the movie high praise, and it will likely be either the first or second highest grossing film of the year. As a comic book and movie fan, I fit right into the target demographic and I rushed to see the movie on opening weekend.  As expected, there was action and spectacle aplenty. On top of that, I was fascinated to see how the heroes worked as a team—or didn’t. It was a great lesson in team dynamics. While it’s unlikely you’ll ever lead a team of super powered beings to save the planet, there’s much to learn from the struggles of this all powerful team.

Here are three tips I learned from The Avengers. Use them to run your own squad of office super heroes.

#1 Demonstrate Clear Leadership

One of the main problems the Avengers face is lack of central leadership. The heroes are all accustomed to either working independently or taking orders from others. This leads to a number of miscommunications and dustups, including a battle between Iron Man and Thor. Without a clear leader, it becomes almost impossible for the team to function.

While the lead-by-committee option sounds appealing, the need for a clearly defined leader can’t be denied.  Forbes author Mike Myatt likens consensus decisions to a baseball manager letting the players determine the lineup. If left entirely on their own, even reasonable employees will jockey for power and personal gain.  It’s the leader’s job to keep the team on task.

#2 Put Personal Issues Aside

For a team full of super-powered beings, the Avengers have a lot of personal problems.  Bruce Banner hates turning into the Hulk, Tony Stark doesn’t trust authority, and Captain America feels completely out of place in the modern world. However, once hordes of aliens begin a hostile invasion, all their petty issues take a back seat to saving the Earth from destruction.

When employees clash, they tend to mistake personal problems for business problems.  For example, bringing up flaws in a proposal can be seen as an attempted power play, instead of the helpful advice it’s intended to be. Encourage your employees to keep their eyes on the goal. Foster a sense of unity so that, when the going gets tough, they band together.  If conflict does arise, teach them how to disagree in ways that move the organization forward.

#3 Define Roles and Responsibilities

The Avengers each have both strengths and weaknesses.  The Hulk has the power to level buildings but lacks…subtlety. It would be a huge mistake to give the big, green, rage monster a task involving precision or subtle human manipulation. Captain America quickly realizes this and gives Hulk a simple task: “Smash.”

In an attempt to avoid micromanaging, many managers fail to clearly define individual roles.  This can be maddening for employees, because a major cause of conflict in the workplace is unclear roles and responsibilities. An equally disastrous mistake is to misjudge an individual’s abilities and try to jam a square peg into a round hole.  Your job as a manager is to determine your team’s strengths and assign responsibilities according to each individual’s skills and expertise. 

Assembling a team of talented people is no small feat and certainly improves your chances for success. However, with strong employees come strong personalities, beliefs, and egos.  It’s up to managers to grab the reigns.  Take a lesson from the Avengers. Leadership may not be a super power, but it’s essential for any team to succeed.

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3 Ways To Wail Like Jimi Hendrix

 by Scott Danielson

 

 

Recently Rolling Stone magazine updated its list of the one hundred greatest guitarists in rock history. The first ninety-nine will likely be debated for years; however, the number one slot was a no brainer.  It had to be Jimi Hendrix.

Arguably, no one before or since has harnessed the electric guitar’s power. But the question remains: What made Jimi so special? I believe that what made Jimi special, aside from a supernatural understanding of his instrument, are the same qualities that make any performer, speaker, or business presenter stand out.

#1 Do It Your Way                                                 

Nothing about Hendrix’s guitar playing was conventional.  He played a right-handed guitar upside down and restrung it for a left handed player.  He couldn’t read or write music.  His guitar playing was full of distortion, feedback and fuzz.  The end result was a sound that no one had ever heard before. 

A memorable speaker is different from other speakers. A memorable speaker is unique. For example, if you can insert your own humorous drawings on a dry-erase board into an otherwise mundane PowerPoint presentation, you and your information are more likely to be remembered. If you can engage your audience in conversation, they will have better recall. In addition, you will be far more likely to enjoy the experience if you’re doing it your way.

#2 Update Old Material

Despite a decent catalog of original songs, two of Hendrix’s most famous songs are not his own.  First is his electric (pun-intended) cover of Bob Dylan’s, “All Along the Watchtower.” The second is his signature Woodstock moment: playing the “The Star-Spangled Banner”. This is noteworthy because it’s a take on a song we hear so frequently and know so well.  Not only does Hendrix not play our national anthem as it is intended, he also throws in interludes of noise and dissonance to imitate the sounds of  planes flying and bombs bursting in air. The end result is stirring.

Hendrix’s rendition of the national anthem offers a great blueprint for updating your sales pitch.

First, throw out what doesn’t work.  In Jimi’s case he didn’t parade out a marching band or orchestra (I doubt Woodstock would have approved).  In your case, you might have a signature line or joke that’s worked for years.  Throw it out and find something new.  If your material is stale, it will show.

But keep the theme the same.  Hendrix’s version of the song is different, but anyone familiar with the “Star-Spangled Banner” will recognize the melody line.  If your company has a distinctive advantage, such as extraordinary customer service, low prices, or top quality goods, continue to emphasize it.  Unless your customers are chanting for change, your basic message still has appeal because it’s recognizable.

#3 Feel It

I’m almost convinced Jimi Hendrix never opened his eyes once he began to play. At the same time, I’ve never watched footage of Jimi and felt he was going to screw up.  Instead, I’m just aware that, “Jimi is feeling it.” For Hendrix, his powerful onstage persona developed from years of meticulous practice and obsessive attention to detail.  Not that you could ever tell once he picked up his guitar.  It was as if he was experiencing the music for the first time and loving every minute of it.

Even if you’ve presented the same material a hundred times, you can always find something new to enjoy. A sales presentation may be stale to you, but your customer has never experienced it. You will get different reactions each time and enthusiasm is contagious.  Bearing this in mind, don’t forget to have fun!

Jimi Hendrix was a stunning performer that set the stage on fire, literally and figuratively. However, you don’t need an electric guitar and superior song-writing skills to channel your inner rock star. Be yourself, avoid the norms, and play with passion.  You may not get groupies or a best-selling album but you will win over your audience.

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The Hoodie Question: 3 Ways To Improve Your Visual Impact

by Carolyn Dickson

 

Much public discourse recently has centered on the “hoodie question.” Are hoodies a symbol of suspicious behavior or merely a common way of showing group membership? Should hoodie wearers be singled out for increased police scrutiny, or in moments of tension should cooler heads prevail? Do we need to be uneasy when we encounter young men, alone or in groups, whose uniform includes the ubiquitous hoodie? Or should we go beyond initial appearances and look for the person within?

These are tough questions that go to the heart of issues America has long struggled with surrounding race, drugs, crime, and the angst of adolescence—issues that go far beyond the scope of this article. One facet, however, has not been addressed anywhere in the media that I’ve seen. It’s an aspect we at VoicePro^® address daily in our executive coaching and our workshops. This is the question of how we as a society (indeed humanity itself) react to visual stimuli.

The fact is that upon first meeting we place a greater emphasis on the visual than anything else. It’s how we instinctively determine whether someone is friend or foe. Our reptilian brain takes over, fight or flight kicks in, and we react accordingly. Cultures throughout history have developed ways to greet people in non-threatening ways. The early Native American way of holding up one hand, palm facing out to denote unarmed and friendly, has evolved into today’s handshake greeting.

We can’t escape making snap judgments based on how someone looks. We’re hard-wired to do so. The question for business people becomes: How can we shape our visual impression so as to exert a positive and powerful impact on the people we meet? Here are some suggestions.

 #1 Dress for who you want to be.

The “hoodie question” highlights the fact that what you wear makes a difference. It’s a fact of nature that you’ll be judged on your visual appearance, and your personal dress code plays a huge part. In business, this means wearing clothes appropriate for the environment in which you find yourself. At VoicePro^® our normal office environment is casual, but in deference to our clients we step that up a notch or two when we conduct workshops or meet with clients. I was in a retail store recently where body piercings and visible tattoos seemed appropriate, but they would be totally out of place for us because we work in a more conservative environment.

#2 Stand tall and stay open.

Many of our clients have a tendency to try to make themselves smaller. They cross their arms, round their shoulders, and almost disappear into their chairs. This is especially true of women who are generally smaller to begin with. In the professional world, it’s important to take your space. Stand and sit tall. Maintain an open posture with your shoulders down and back and your chest open. Curb the inclination to curl up and physically protect yourself when you feel threatened.

#3 Look at people.

Along with noticing an open, non-threatening posture, people immediately read and react to the expression on your face. As I walk the North Carolina mountain trails, I’m watchful of the folks I meet. I immediately warm to those who greet me with a smile and a friendly hello. And I’m uncomfortable with the people who avert their eyes and pass me by without a word. In the mountain wilderness, I instinctively revert back to the primal question: Is this person a threat to me or not?

At a sales call or in the corporate boardroom, the reactions may not be quite as overt, but they are the same as I experience on my mountain adventures You can’t expect people to look past your outward appearance and “accept you for who you really are” if what you present to them is beyond the fringe of acceptability.

It’s said that in an interview, an employer will decide within seven seconds whether or not he or she wants to hire an individual and then spends the rest of the interview finding ways to support their initial decision. No matter how much you want it to be different, you will be judged by others based on your outward appearance.

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4 Public Speaking Lessons From Broadway

By Scott Danielson

 

 

Recently, Broadway musicals have extended their reach. Fox’s hit show Glee features a number of songs from Broadway, and its lead characters break out into song. A number of musicals have had great sucess at the box office, including Mamma Mia and Hairspray. Even the rock band Green Day, and South Park comedians Trey Parker & Matt Stone, have created wildly successful musicals within the last couple of years. As it turns out, Broadway musicals can teach us a lot about public speaking. Here are four ways you can turn a business presentation into a show-stopping event.

#1 Keep It Simple

Audiences don't want to be confused. That’s why Broadway musicals have simple plots and their songs only have one topic (being in love is a popular one). In fact, I would challenge you to name a Broadway musical that can’t be summarized in a couple of sentences. If you’re giving a presentation, create one clear message (at VoicePro® we call this a Throughline™). Then make sure your visuals contain only one piece of information. With these simple changes, your message will come through loud and clear.

#2 Give The Audience Variety

In Broadway musicals, nothing occurs for an extended period of time. If there's dialogue for more than ten minutes, you can be certain a song is on the horizon. Likewise, if you hear a ballad, the next song is almost always upbeat with spirited choreography. Even the most entertaining speaker is tiresome without variety. So, give your presentation variety with visual aids, humorous stories, and audience participation (if appropriate).

#3 Use Body Language To Reinforce Your Message

Often the subject of mockery, many Broadway actors will overstate their emotions with bold gestures and overstated facial expressions. This is to ensure that every audience member, even those in the top row of the balcony, know exactly how the character feels. While you might not want to reenact your favorite moment from the West Side Story during your weekly meeting, let your excitement show in your face and body language. Demonstrating your enthusiasm will win over your audience, and strengthen your message

#4 Don’t Neglect the Ending

The finale in any musical is pretty difficult to miss. Nearly every character is on stage.  Old songs are revisited, a chorus of voices crescendo, and the orchestra hits the last note with a triumphant burst before the applause begins. Many speech writers worry so much over how to begin that they forget the ending leaves a lasting impression. So take a cue from the finale: review your major points, put a new spin on your primary message (your Throughline™), and take some time to craft a memorable final line.

For more public speaking information and tips follow us on Twitter or ask us for more information. 

Photo by Broadway.me

3 Customer Service Lessons From A Twitter Junkie

 by Scott Danielson

 

 

I have a confession. 

I hated Twitter.

I hated Twitter and everyone involved. I judged my friends who used it. I groaned when ESPN posted LeBron James latest tweet (for a number of reasons). I had no interest in making an account.

Then I became a Twitter junkie. Today, I tweet for VoicePro® and for my own personal account. I celebrate new followers like national holidays. I await updates from my favorite celebrities like a young child waiting for Santa Claus. I brainstorm and research to create the 140 character that will change the world.

While outsiders have wept for my sanity and social life, I’m beginning to see numerous parallels between Twitter and the business world.  Turns out Twitter has more to offer than you’d expect.

#1 Keep It Simple

Tweets cannot exceed 140 characters, including spaces and punctuation. As a result, the messages are simple, direct and clear. Take this tweet from NFL® Quarterback Drew Brees:

Thank you Who Dat Nation for all your support yesterday and this season. You made it special for all of us.

If only customer interactions were so straightforward.

They can be, if you apply Twitter standards to your sales pitch. Start by using simple language and fewer words. Your customers will thank you for your brevity and a message that’s easy to understand. And never fear! You can always offer more information—if they ask.

#2 Know Your Audience

Everyone’s Twitter audience is different. Derek Jeter knows Yankee fans want comments about training camp, while comedian Jim Gaffigan’s followers expect jokes and tour information. Needless to say, it would be confusing if Jim Gaffigan started offering details about the Yankees winter workouts.

What does your audience crave?

Customers won’t buy what they don’t want. So, find out what they do want. Ask probing questions to discover your customers’ needs and wants. Then tailor your products and services accordingly. Show your customers that you value their needs and deliver a personalized experience. 

#3 Interacting > Telling

My favorite Twitter celebrities interact with their fans. 

Cult actor Bruce Campbell is a great example. Like most movie stars on Twitter, he offers updates from the set and lets his followers know about public appearances. He also answers fan questions, gives birthday shout outs, and shares pictures from other users. 

I have limited interest in Bruce’s day-to-day activities but I adore him for interacting with fans.

Customers are no different, especially when a product or service has failed to meet their expectations. They want to know their thoughts and opinions matter. Dismissing a client’s concerns discounts their feelings and provokes anger. Instead, relate to their frustrations and search for possible solutions. A sympathetic voice and a dedication to positive results are always appreciated.

Although Twitter is characterized as a personal indulgence, it’s all about the followers. Ideally, every tweet is meant for the reader not the author. Celebrities and companies ignore this core concept at their peril.

Don’t let your customer service anger your “followers”.  Embrace Twitter’s lessons and always keep the customer in mind.

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3 Company Saving Takeaways From "Why I'm Leaving Goldman Sachs"

by Scott Danielson

 

 

After being the source of public discontent for almost four years, Goldman Sachs’ reputation took  another hit in the form of an op-ed piece from former employee Greg Smith, entitled, "Why I'm Leaving Goldman Sachs". An Internet sensation, the article’s debut in the New York Times, has sent Goldman Sachs’ public image into free fall. 

Although the firm will likely debate the accuracy of Smith’s claims, the article raises a number of concerns about how companies continue to do business.  If you want to prevent a public relations meltdown or even a financial crisis, learn the business lessons found in Smith’s article.

#1 Meet Customer Needs

According to Smith’s article, Goldman Sachs has one priority: profit.  In practice, this meant guiding customers to trades that will bring “the biggest profit to Goldman,” and advising clients to invest in unprofitable stocks the firm is “trying to get rid of.”

In VoicePro®’s Distinct Advantage™ workshop, we emphasize that a sales strategy must focus on meeting customer needs.  Anyone who has entered a sales-driven retail setting can tell you how off-putting it can be. The conversation feels fake, the sales person suggests items you don’t want or need, and you begin to distrust any advice the staff gives you.

If customers don’t trust you, they won’t recommend you or continue to purchase your products. In some cases, failing to meet their needs can incite anger. Eventually, they take their business somewhere else.

Instead, adopt a customer-centric sales approach.  Treat the situation as if you don’t care whether or not you make a sale. Ask as many probing questions as possible and make your product recommendations accordingly. If your customers know you have their best interests at heart, they will trust you, and keep coming back—again and again.

#2 Treat Customers With Respect

In one of the article’s more shocking paragraphs, Smith describes the language management used about their clients:

“Over the last 12 months I have seen five different managing directors refer to their own clients as ‘muppets,’ sometimes over internal e-mail.”

In this context, the term muppet means fool or idiot. Of course, treating clients with disrespect is an easy way to lose business.  But the more troubling aspect of this claim is that the emails are coming from the organization’s leaders. 

As a leader, you set an example for your employees, and the office culture mirrors your values. At Goldman Sachs, employees were essentially given a license to insult clients. And what goes on within a company will manifest itself on the outside every time. If you deny such behavior or try to change it later on, you will be viewed as a hypocrite. So save your reputation and the reputation of your business by always treating your customers with respect, even when they’re not in the room.

#3 Promote True Leaders

As Smith detailed the current culture of Goldman Sachs, he indicated leaders were chosen based upon their earnings for the firm, instead of their leadership skills. In addition, leadership candidates were required to match their leaders’ value system, unethical though it might be.

One of the more dangerous habits of leaders is their tendency to promote like-minded employees.  However, as an Entrepreneur magazine contributor indicates, the other leaders within your business should offset any of your own leadership weaknesses. A group of people with similar thoughts and backgrounds may get along but they’re likely to make the same mistakes. Fill your team with a diverse set of skills and personalities for better results.

For many years, Goldman Sach’s was a model business for success and customer satisfaction. Now they’ve become a model of what to avoid. Luckily, it’s not too late for your business.  Learn from Sachs' mistakes to avoid their fate and save your company.  

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3 Communication Skills I Learned From James Bond

by Scott Danielson

 

 

Here’s a simple equation that most teenage boys learn:

James Bond = Cool

Considering the Bond films are the longest running franchise in movie history, it’s hard to argue the character’s appeal. He’s suave, cool under pressure, deadly when needed, and of course, irresistible to women.

If only you could enter work with the bravado of MI-6’s top agent.

Now you can. We’ve discovered an arsenal of Bond’s gadgets that will make you a more confident and effective communicator.

#1 Body Language

James Bond’s body language always conveys power and confidence. No matter how dire the situation, he is totally relaxed. His posture is strong and open, his shoulders are broad, and he’s never afraid to look his enemy in the eye.

Would you take a nervous, fidgety Bond seriously? I wouldn’t.

Bond’s signature swagger is just as useful in the office. Powerful body language demands attention and respect. Show your personal power by standing tall, staying open, and walking with purpose. Hold your head high and look at people, connecting with friend and foe alike.

#2 Humor

Ok, we’ll admit it. Bond’s usual jokes are full of terrible puns and innuendo. Their true purpose, however, is hidden in their groan-inducing awfulness.

He never seems nervous.

Even with a gun to his head, Bond’s sense of humor makes the viewer confident he will survive the ordeal. He couldn’t possibly be worried, could he? See, he’s cracking jokes.

We don’t recommend jokes, but humor is a great way to convey your confidence and power.

You can curb your own tension during a business presentation by opening with a humorous personal story. It’s empowering for you because it’s familiar, and both you and your audience can relax knowing you don’t take yourself too seriously.

#3 Improvisation

The number of Bond’s initial plans to succeed is exactly zero. Without fail, Bond’s perfect plans are blown up through betrayals, villainous machinations, and a kidnapped damsel or two. 

Does Bond give up or take time to complain about his lost plan? Of course not. He improvises and finds a way to achieve his primary goal

It’s a cliché, but the ability to “go with the flow” is crucial for leaders and other business presenters. As we teach in our Speak Present Influence workshp, scripted presenters fail to connect with their audience and often ignore signs of confusion. Likewise, leaders who remain overly dedicated to failed plans appear weak and inflexible. 

A failed plan doesn’t have to be synonymous with failure. Keep your primary goals in mind and adjust accordingly. Your dedication and adaptation will improve your chances of achieving.

The gadgets, villains, and even Bond himself have changed over time, but these three basic characteristics are constant. Use them to become your office’s top agent. Though you may never prevent nuclear destruction or use a jetpack you can still walk, talk, and act like 007.

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3 Campaign Mistakes That Will Destroy Your Office

by Scott Danielson

 

 

The American political landscape has been ugly for as long as I can remember. The Republican primaries are a timely example. As the campaign continues, the candidates make cringe-worthy, preposterous statements, personally attack the president and each other, and proclaim that four years with another candidate will lead to Armageddon. All the while, they fail to seriously address the real issues facing America.

Disagreements in our own offices can have a similar tone. Differences in opinion occur, emotions run high, and once amicable individuals suddenly become mortal enemies. Core issues are disregarded, and sadly, the entire office suffers accordingly.

Don’t let your office feel like a series of attack ads. To keep workplace disagreements under control, avoid these three campaign mistakes. 

#1 Forgetting the Bigger Picture

Though viewed by many as the eventual front runner, Mitt Romney continues to fight an elitist image.  Sounds bites such as, “I’m not concerned with the very poor,” “Ann drives a couple of Cadillacs,” and “Two of my friends own NFL teams,” don’t help.  Of course, Romney must be aware of this perception, which begs the question: What was he thinking? 

Simply put, he probably wasn’t. As these examples illustrate, Romney seems to be trying to appeal to a specific group of voters, the “regular” guys, and in doing so, has lost sight of the bigger picture.

When an office conflict arises, both parties tend to focus on their own short-sighted goals. This is problematic, particularly if these goals are in opposition to each other. Instead, look for a mutually beneficial goal you can both aim for. “How can we work together to solve this problem,” is a much better starting point than, “I’m going to get my proposal accepted, no matter what.”

#2 Making It Personal

In 2010, something amazing happened. Stuart Norman and Andrew Maynard, two candidates for a Senate seat in Connecticut, agreed to campaign without making personal attacks. When asked why they took this approach, the two men stated the election was about the issues and not them as individuals.

Sadly, this idea has been thrown out the window in the current Presidential election. The Republican candidates continue to insult one another, and the Obama administration has already put out attack ads of its own.

Norman and Maynard understood why personal attacks should be avoided: they cloud the issues at hand. If you use a personal attack, you guarantee an angry response from the other party. Now, any valid arguments you have is consumed by their anger and desire to prove you wrong. In his landmark book on negotiation, “Getting to Yes,” Roger Fisher writes, “Be hard on the problem, soft on the people.” Remember, Fisher’s advice. You’ll get much more done if you keep the conversation civil.

#3 Stating Opinions As Fact

Not surprisingly, the current candidates have made very strong, absolutely certain, take-this-as-a-fact statements. Newt Gingrich promises an American moon colony by his second term, Rick Santorum said socialized medicine would kill his child, and Mitt Romney said Obama would allow Iran to become a nuclear power. All of these projections are opinions, but you would never be able to tell based upon their language. They sound so very certain.

Stating an opinion during a disagreement is fine, as long as it’s phrased as an opinion. Many people fail to realize statements like, “Your proposal has a lot of problems,” is only an allegation from someone’s point of view. It may or may not be true.

Make it abundantly clear when you’re stating an opinion. Phrases like “I think,” “I feel,” or “I believe” are possible ways to position a statement from your point of view. Likewise, avoid definitive declarations like, “You are…” and “This will…”.  In the case of the proposal critique, we can change from “Your proposal has a lot of problems,” to, “I find some aspects of your proposal problematic.” This is a much better communication style and not as likely to stir up defensiveness.

“Politics as usual” is filled with spin, name calling, and a lack of factual information or ideas. Hopefully, this doesn’t describe your office conflicts. If it does, learn from the American political scene….by doing the opposite of our current candidates. Keep things in perspective, only discuss the issues, and make it clear when you’re stating an opinion. Your office and business will thank you.

For more public speaking information and tips follow us on Twitter or ask us for more information.

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3 Leadership Lessons From March Madness

 by Scott Danielson

 

 

Once the NCAA tournament begins, workplace productivity plummets. Employees fill out brackets, check scores, and turn in money to whoever runs the office pool.  Not exactly an ideal time to be a manager.  It’s impossible to step in and stop the fun, especially when you’ve got twenty dollars riding on your own bracket.

Fighting the fascination with one of the most exciting events in sports is senseless.  Instead, think of yourself as a coach watching game footage. There’s much to learn here, because March Madness offers entertainment, excitement—and lessons in leadership.

#1 Make Every Day Matter

In the NCAA tournament, one bad game will sink the most talented team, just ask Duke. Therefore, coaches must keep their players motivated and focused if every game is to get them one step closer to the ultimate goal: a national championship.

While we don’t recommend adopting a “one-and-done” attitude, we do recommend finding ways to make every day matter. The average workday can be tedious, repetitious, and hard to get through.  But it doesn’t have to be. You can make your workplace more interesting and exciting. Celebrate victories, large and small: a target met, a contract signed, a sale finalized. Find creative ways to make everyone feel important. Give your employees challenges and reward their efforts.

#2 Take Timeouts

Timeouts are a basketball coach’s greatest asset, aside from players.  With a well-timed timeout, a coach can reorganize his offense or defense, kill negative momentum, or draw up the game-winning play.

A workplace timeout can be used for similar reasons.

Numerous studies indicate small breaks are an excellent way for employees to refresh and refocus. In fact, such breaks can increase overall productivity and prevent a decrease in work quality.  If your negotiation session is becoming strained, take a short break to regroup. A brief hiatus to relax, loosen up, and stretch will go a long way toward easing office tension.

#3 Nurture Your Leaders

Every college team has a head coach and three assistants to devise a game plan, offer advice, and give pep talks.  But who leads once the players reach the court? A successful basketball team needs players who can lead and inspire on the court. Their influence is undeniable. Kembe Walker’s late game heroics pushed UConn into the tournament and lead his team to victory in the 2011 championship game.

Who are your on-court leaders?

Leading an entire office is an impossible task to tackle alone, especially if the office is large. So, find leaders who can guide, and motivate in your absence. Don’t presume your highest performers are natural leaders. Instead, look for men and women who are helpful and challenge their colleagues without being asked. Once you’ve empowered an office leader, you will get results from your staff without the need to assert yourself into every situation.

Guiding a team through the NCAA tournament takes strong leadership skills. Each coach has to keep players motivated, make in-game adjustments, and give leaders a chance to shine. A business manager has the same responsibilities. Luckily for you, there’s more than one ultimate prize at stake and you can develop relationships for more than four years. If you want a more productive and positive office environment, learn from March Madness.

For more public speaking information and tips follow us on Twitter or ask us for more information.

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4 Communication Skills For Crises

 by Scott Danielson

 

 

The American media loves scandal. An upcoming presidential election and a number of high profile criminal investigations certainly add fuel to the fire. With the public's eye waiting for its next hot button topic, it seems strange that many experienced public figures fail when a crisis arises. While your workplace crisis will not cost you a bid at America’s most prestigious office, there are still a number of skills that can be applied to any conflict.

#1 Pause

This skill is the most important and the hardest to master.  When emotions run high, our first reaction is instinctive. In stressful situations, the flight or fight response kicks in, adrenaline fills your body, and your body begs you to react. However our first reaction isn’t our strongest or our most reasoned. Arguments between five year olds that feature witty comebacks such as, “I’m not stupid! You are!” are prime examples. Pausing lets you process the information and control your impulse reactions. 

In Practice: Take a deep breath and stretch out your body before entering any stressful situation or conversation.

#2 Perspective

I've heard co-workers declare they were having “the worst day ever”. After imagining a tragic occurence, I typically find that someone cut them off in traffic. Unfortunately, our first reactions to stressful situations are quite similar. Because of our emotional involvement we fail to see the smaller crises for what they are: small. Take time to remind yourself that the world will not end, and you will find a solution to your problem. A dose of reality and positive thinking, will help curb your nervousness.

In Practice: When facing a crisis, remind yourself of a similar situation you handled successfully. The memory of your past success will make the current problem seem less daunting.

#3 Adaptability

In every disaster movie, there's one survior that remains dedicated to an idea that will doom everyone else. They refuse to listen to reasoned arguments from their colleagues, and come to an unfortunate end. Meanwhile, the remaining survivors discover another way to stay alive. Keeping your pride in check and being open to new ideas, can help you avoid a similar, metaphorical, fate. Your coworkers will have ideas that you don't, so ask for their opinions. Also, be sure to actually consider their ideas before reacting to them.

In Practice:  Ask for ideas before presenting your own. 

#4 Body Language/Intonation

Imagine that there’s been a serious incident somewhere in the United States. The president comes on television to speak to the American people about what occurred. How nervous would you be if the president behaved like he was frightened or unsure of how to act? We want the appearance of calm from our leaders in times of crises, and the easiest way to convey it is with positive body language and proper intonation. You may be a wreck of nerves underneath, but your co-workers will thank you for a calming presence.

In Practice: Keep an eye out for nervous ticks or a drastic change in your regular speaking voice. They will contradict any calming words you have.

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