We make decisions all day long. Some are simple (froot loops or cheerios?) while others can be quite complex (quit my job or stay?) Some internet sources say it could be as many as 35,000 per day, which obviously includes all the simple decisions. How can we get better at making the tough decisions without …
The Fable Story Template and When to Use it
From Aesop’s fablesto Jesus’ parables, we’ve heard these types of stories our whole life. The fable is both powerful and easy to implement. Here’s why you should consider using them the next time you want to focus on a truth and reinforce the core values of your corporate culture. Fables and parables are fictional stories …
How to use the David-and-Goliath Story Template
Whether you’re Jewish, Christian or neither, you’ve probably heard the Biblical story of the shepherd boy destined to become a king. David was the shepherd boy who courageously accepted the fight-to-the-death challenge from the Philistine warrior Goliath, a man twice his size. It’s a classic tale of the underdog facing the champion. If you’ve heard …
How do you Influence Without Authority?
When I was young we used to find adventure on the new home sites at the end of our street. A big pile of dirt would quickly become a trophy centerpiece to do battle for the reigning title of “King of the Mountain.” If you’ve never played it before, every person tries their best to …
Positively stop saying… “I can’t!”
Before we start a new workshop, myself and my peers at iSpeak take the time to meet each individual in the room and learn their name. Throughout the workshop, we use our students’ names when we address them. Recently I was teaching a sales class and 5 minutes after class started, I mentioned a student …
Pie and Coffee
“I tell them anything just to get them out of my office!” was his comment. He was a leader taking my communication workshop in Oklahoma. He was speaking about his direct reports. “Come in and I’ll answer all your questions.” was the comment from a different leader who said he likes to have pie and …
The Easy Way to Get Data to Tell a Story
What is the most common complaint we hear from people sitting through ineffective slide show presentations? There’s no story! It’s just a bunch of data. The speaker has given us the “show up and throw up” version of the presentation. It’s as if they opened up a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle box and dumped it …
3 Tools to Crystalize Your Message
My student gave me one final comment as she was exiting my workshop. She said, “My biggest takeaway from today? Less is more. I won’t forget that.” She smiled and shook my hand as I thanked her for her participation and insights. When you’re the speaker, you’re trying to achieve an objective when you speak. …