From public speaking to business e-mail communications, your message must be strong and professional. Communication Steroids boosts the effectiveness of your presentations, media relations and public speaking.
National campaigns are a great place to evaluate speakers. In fact, most of our country’s great leaders were great speakers. They are impassioned, intelligent, emotional and empowering. Think of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., JFK or Ronald Reagan. You may disagree with their leadership style or politics, but no one could doubt their ability to deliver a powerful speech.
So when it comes to this year’s political campaign, the two major candidates are compared like this: Barack Obama: great orator, inspired speaker. John McCain: stilted speaker, prey to gaffes.
So it was with anticipation that the country (and especially the Democratic party) looked to Barack Obama’s wife, Michelle, to see how she would measure up, not only as a public speaker but as a potential first lady. How would she look, sound, impress?
It was undoubtedly the most important speech of Michelle Obama’s life to this moment.
So how did she do, strictly in the context as a public speaker? How was her presentation? Did she meet her goals?
Now, we can assume to a point what her goal was: to show herself to the country. Who is she? Can she validate herself, her family and her relationship to Barack Obama? Can she come off as confident? Can she show her audience what she’s really made of? Can she share enough of her story so that potential voters can possibly side with her?
That’s a lot to accomplish in a short ten or fifteen minute speech.
Did she accomplish all of that?
Her brother Craig Robinson, the men’s basketball coach at Oregon State University, introduced her with a touching description of what it was like growing up with Michelle as his little sister.
Michelle spoke of her family, talked about her father’s early death from multiple sclerosis and his struggles as a blue collar worker who was committed to giving his kids a great chance at the American Dream. She spoke of meeting and falling in love with Barack.
So – with a lot at stake at the Democratic National Convention, how did she do, from a ‘public speaking’ standpoint?
Presentation: A
Michelle Obama was graceful, impassioned, emotional and personal. Her speaking style was quite natural. Not as natural as a gifted professional public speaker, but certainly she looked comfortable on stage.
Pacing: B+
When you’re speaking to a crowd of this size – some 20,000 folks – you have to be aware of the crowd. If I had to give her negative marks for anything, it would be her pacing. Towards the middle and end of her speech, it looked as if Michelle tended to rush at times. It seemed to me at times as if she wanted to get through the speech. At other times she slowed down and it was obvious she was enjoying herself.
Vocal Variety: B+
Even though Michelle Obama is an experienced speaker, this is also an area where she could stand to improve – a little. She showed passion and dynamics, but at times it came off somewhat contrived.
Organization: A
From the beginning of the speech, it was clear where she was going: to show her audience the depth of love she has for her family and country, and where that passion and love came from. She started off with a little self-deprecating humor, and then launched into her speech. Whether she wrote it completely, or put it together with a speechwriter (which one would assume), it came off as a cohesive and solid piece of work.
Overall Grade: A-
The whole point of putting Michelle Obama onstage – at least apparently from the Democrats’ point of view – was to counter any lingering negative images some Americans may still hold from a remark she made earlier in the campaign. To that end, it appears from this judge that she – and the Dems – succeeded.
We’ll have to see if the rest of the country agrees.
Communication Steroids :: Show Liner Notes On This Date: 2008-08-26
I admit it, I’m much better at focusing in the morning. Which means that my writing, video production and audio production typically comes before most of the people in my house are up.
There are exceptions of course: I podcast on Tuesday evenings (usually) with my partner Roger Pike. But that’s mostly for convenience – easier for us to get together in the evening than any other time in the day.
But when it comes to trying to get my creative juices flowing, or just do some of the nuts and bolts work of keeping a website or small side business humming, I find morning works best for me.
Here’s what makes it work:
Get Up Early
A few years ago I discovered that being awake when everyone else in the house is sleeping makes for a quiet time of thought, concentration and action. I can write, respond to emails, post articles, do post-production on audio, upload MP3s to websites, etc., all without interruption. NOT being interrupted is an important key to getting things done.
Plan Your Attack
It’s too easy to just sit down and start in anywhere. Often it works, as you’re drawn to a particular piece of work that needs your attention, such as a deadline on an article, podcast or book. But without a plan, it’s easy to spend 30 minutes stumbling around the web, checking out news sites, sports scores, blogs or whatever else draws your attention. But really – you know and I know that doing that is mostly a waste of time.
Now, if your PLAN involves 30 minutes of web-stumbling with a purpose to find three articles to comment on, that’s different.
So PLAN your morning tasks, whether at home in a small business or going to a real job in an office.
Your planning should be simple and should answer these questions:
1. What are the most important tasks I need to complete today?
2. What are the tasks that you’ve been letting slide – that need to come back on your list?
3. If you complete your list, what are the next tasks you want to start?
Feed Yourself
Yeah, it’s a no-brainer. But our bodies need sustenance or we tend to droop. Like a plant needs water. Whether your breakfast is the first thing you do, or something you plan on 90 minutes into your day, make it happen. Don’t overlook this simple re-fueling tactic.
Morning Wake-Up Routine
It doesn’t matter really WHAT the routine might be – but if you can start your day off with the same activities you’ll find yourself in the ‘productive’ mode much more often. For me, it’s a 15-minute stretching and yoga routine the minute I hop out of bed. It’s easy to do (but not too easy), helps wake my body up and gets the blood flowing and the tendons stretched out a bit. From there it’s in to the shower, grab a cuppa and head for the computer to start my work day. After about 60 minutes my kids are up so I motivate them, do breakfast and our day officially starts. The 90 minutes I have before their alarms hit are often the most productive of the day for me.
Go to Sleep In Time The Night Before!
Yeah, your day really starts the night before. If you KNOW that your alarm goes off at 5:30 am, and you KNOW you need at least 6.5 hours of sleep or you’ll feel tired through out the day, then that tells you that being in bed with lights off by 11 pm is non-negotiable. Do the math! I’ve experimented with my sleep time and found that 6.5 hours works for me most of the time. There are times when I get less and times when I get more. But if I’m close to that number I function well throughout the following day.
Everyone is different of course, but these tips seem to make the most of my morning. What works for you?
Communication Steroids :: Show Liner Notes On This Date: 2008-08-23
Communication is not just a vital element in every aspect of our business…it is THE vital element. Communication is the core of human interaction and, as long as we depend upon building relationships with clients, associates and vendors, building communication skills pays off; and pays off big. Nowhere is this truth more evident than in staff training, coaching and mentoring.
Tim and I are big believers in Mentoring and preach it everywhere we go. And we practice what we preach. For example, the first thing we did when we took over the leadership of a corporate based Toastmasters club was to institute a results driven mentoring program. We made sure every member had a mentor / coach; and we monitored that relationship. We sponsored, and facilitated, formal mentor training classes and we emphasized the importance of the mentor/mentee relationship. The results were impressive. We added members, advanced members, and sponsored various training sessions. In the end, our club received the “Presidents Distinguished Club” designation—the highest club honor Toastmasters offers. Because of mentoring.
The mentoring dynamic is an unusual one. It’s synergistic; requiring input from, and offering advantages to, both the mentor and mentee. It is coaching and training, but not in the formal sense of teaching specific skills. And it is a personal one-on-one relationship. Obviously, there have to be a few rules.
The mentor must be committed to the program and the mentee. She should be willing to take the lead in setting meeting times and make sure the calendar is clear for them. He should put into practice all the “active listening” skills Tim and I have encouraged you to develop. And the mentor should care.
The mentee should understand the purpose of the mentoring program. It’s about development, not about placement in a particular job. He should come to the first meeting with a clear agenda and be willing to complete any tasks and assignments on time. She should be open and receptive.
Here are some tips for a smooth and successful mentor/mentee relationship.
For the mentor:
*Emphasize individuality. Remember this is coaching one-on-one. Not every mentee is coming into the program to become a manager. Find out what your mentee wants and needs. Help prepare them. Help put them in the best position to reach their goal.
*Listen. Yes, once again, Tim and I are going to emphasize that communication is more than you getting your point across. It’s also understanding the other guys point. ACTIVE LISTENING WORKS. Pay attention to meaning. Repeat back key phrases you hear from your mentee and ask them, “Have I got that right.” Be aware of tone of voice and body language and understand what that means. Let the mentee chart the course. Ask probing questions that require the mentee to think and assess. For the mentor, a good question is a far more powerful tool than a glib answer.
*Guide them. Good mentors provide encouragement and honest criticism. This isn’t about giving orders and expecting them to be carried out. It’s about understanding and leadership. In the mentoring relationship you’re more friend than boss.
*Monitor the process. If things don’t seem to be going well, discuss it with the mentee. Ask your mentoring leadership for help.
For the mentee:
*Have goals. Specific goals. “Make more money” is certainly a valid ambition, but it’s way too generalized to have value in the mentoring process. One of the best goals I ever heard from a mentee went roughly like this, “I want to learn more about public speaking, improve my skills, and prepare myself as a candidate for openings in the marketing department.” You need not confine yourself to one; but whatever your goals, make them specific and attainable.
*Show up. Nothing will kill you faster than missing a meeting with your mentor; or being unprepared when you get there. It’s death. The end. ‘Nuff said.
*Understand networking. Yes, your mentor instantly becomes a member of your network. That doesn’t mean you should badger her for the next opening in her department; or whine to him about how undervalued you are. It means you build the relationship and use it to make additional contacts. In fact, that is a wonderful “goal” to set before the mentor at your first meeting. “One of my goals is to use the mentoring program to meet successful people in the company and pick their brains about how and why they’re so effective.”
Whether your enterprise is large or small you can, and should, identify leaders in your organization and help them maximize their contribution. A formal mentoring program is an excellent way to do that.
Communication Steroids :: Show Liner Notes On This Date: 2008-08-18
You don’t see successful public speakers who don’t like their job. Which must mean that they are having FUN. Or at least doing something they like a lot. So what is there to LIKE about public speaking? Tim ‘Gonzo’ Gordon and Roger Pike talk about what they like about public speaking in this podcast.
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Total Run Time » 10:48
Communication Steroids :: Show Liner Notes On This Date: 2008-08-11
What is an argument? It could be a number or things: it could be a constructive way to make your case, point by point. Or it could really be a verbal fight, one in which very little actual communication and understanding take place.
Tim ‘Gonzo’ Gordon and Roger Pike discuss arguments and why you should avoid them if you want to experience genuine communication.
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Total Run Time » 11:14
Communication Steroids :: Show Liner Notes On This Date: 2008-08-05
