Stephanie Bickel’s Post

What's the secret to great leadership team meetings? It's the ability to think on your feet. www.speakbydesign.com/join You might be a great speaker, but what happens when you’re hit with that question you weren’t expecting? Do you find yourself rambling to avoid dead air, or freeze because you have no idea how to respond? Instead of panicking while you try and find the perfect response… …pause. …take a breath and repeat the question to yourself or aloud. …respond or even direct the question to someone who can answer better. Remember that there are always going to be questions that you can’t answer or don’t have an answer. But by pausing, repeating, responding, or redirecting, you come across as confident and in control. Thinking on your feet is only difficult when you haven't been training in the art of handling questions and objections. That’s why October inside Speak by Design is all about how to think on your feet. We’re offering a new three-part series on how to quickly and confidently handle any question with ease. You’ll learn how to respond to unanswerable questions, those you don’t have the answer to, or those that are more sensitive in nature. Speak by Design University is the communication toolkit that teaches transformational leaders how to… 1️⃣ Define their style and build credibility and rapport 2️⃣ Develop followers through exceptional leadership skills 3️⃣ Manage reactions to questions and objections 4️⃣ Craft messages that drive action 5️⃣ Become a consistently compelling force PLUS! When you register before the end of the month you also get access to our signature training on ‘Leadership Communication Agility’ (our most popular training of all time for organizations). This course teaches you how to think on your feet, adjust your communication for the audience, and inspire confidence in your team. Register by September 30th to secure your spot. Join Speak by Design today: www.speakbydesign.com/join We hope to see you there! Stephanie Bickel, Madina B., Abby Sheridan, Ben Katz, Elise Kauzlaric, Michelle Davis, Marissa A. Larson, John Bingham, Paige Glendinning, Jeannine Scheffler, Cindy Stein, Eleanor Tan

Dear Landmark Graduates, *The communication Power to create evening session is there on 26.06.2024 from 7 PM to 11 PM*. *Opportunity is available to invite your guests* for the evening sesssion & you can also attend the session to know about Landmark Forum, communication courses & The Team, Management, and Leadership Program. *The Landmark Forum* - will make profound and lasting difference in your life. The lessons taught in The Landmark Forum can help you achieve a unique kind of freedom and power—the freedom to be at ease and the power to be effective in areas that matter most to you – the quality of your relationships, the confidence with which you live your life, your personal productivity, your experience of the difference you make, your enjoyment of life. *The Access to Power* : This course brings communication—the most basic phenomenon of our lives—from the background to the foreground, giving us access to the most powerful and useful tool available in this business of living. The course literally brings a new world of communication into being—one that moves people and transforms both you and the person you’re in communication with. *The Power to Create* : In this advanced Communication Course, you’ll identify and replace old patterns with new practices of listening and speaking—practices that leave you reliable and masterful in generating new possibilities in every aspect of your life. *The Team, Management, and Leadership Program* : The Team, Management, and Leadership Program is a year-long advanced training program designed to bring a new level of power to your management and leadership of projects and teams.In this program, you’ll: Be empowered to work with others in a way that their leadership abilities are significantly expanded. Generate and maintain high-level performance and call forth powerful, effective action from others. Combine the practical challenge of leading a group with an opportunity to master the principles of powerful communication. *You are requested to contact YPRao, 8142000065, yprao60@gmail.com for further details and link to attend*.

Title: The Impact of Soft and Sweet Communication in Leadership The poem “Sweet Symphony: The Essence of Leadership in Words” emphasizes the power of gentle and appealing communication in effective leadership. It draws a compelling analogy between the qualities of ice cream—cool, sweet, and creamy—and the characteristics of impactful leadership communication. The poem illustrates how words, much like ice cream, can be soothing and enticing, easing their way into the auditory system and positively affecting neurological responses. The central theme explores how the essence and tone of a leader’s words can influence and inspire followers, likening the effect of their speech to the comforting and refreshing experience of ice cream on a hot day. This soft approach to communication is shown to be a catalyst for change, facilitating new functions and dynamics within a group or organization. In professional environments, the poem suggests that leaders who employ a gentle and encouraging communication style can foster a more harmonious and productive workplace. The imagery of words melting like ice cream into listeners’ minds underscores the potential for such communication to ease tensions and encourage a collective movement towards shared goals. Overall, the poem serves as a reminder that the strength of leadership lies not in authoritative demands or hard directives, but in the ability to guide, inspire, and motivate through words that resonate with kindness and understanding. This approach not only enhances the leader’s influence but also enriches the organizational culture, making it more inclusive and supportive.

One question you might be overlooking in your post-presentation reflection or debrief and how to best leverage your learnings. If a recent presentation didn't go well or meet your expectations, there's no need to fixate on what went wrong. As a Public Speaking and Certified Executive Coach, I often get the question, "What could I do better or differently?" While well-intentioned, most leaders overlook what matters most. The art of presenting is not just about your performance. Focusing on your presence and how you are BEing is key to communicating with impact. Remember, the art of storytelling and presenting lies in how you impact your audience. People don't always remember what you said, but how you made them feel. 🌟 Pro tip: Instead of fixating on mistakes during your post-presentation debrief, shift your focus from the 'what' to 'who' you are becoming. Ask yourself, "What will I celebrate about who I am becoming?" For instance, celebrating your: ✅️ courage in communicating with empathy or tact, ✅️ speaking up during challenging moments, or ✅️ sharing the unpopular perspective during an important stakeholder meeting. By noticing and stepping into your signature presence, you are better positioned to communicate with confidence, influence, and impact. When you move from focusing on performance (what you do) to presence (who you be), you ascend to a new level of mastering public speaking for thought leadership. Share in the comments what you're celebrating about your growth or learnings when presenting or speaking in public. _______ For more expert communication and public speaking tips, repost or follow me. Looking for a Public Speaking or Certified Executive Coach to take your leaders and teams' communication skills including your executive presence to the next level? Book a complimentary call with me to explore customized leadership communication coaching or training solutions. Visit my website link in the comments.

Another Training Opportunity!! 🌟 Transform Your Leadership with Effective Communication Skills 🌟 Bridging the Generational Gap in Today's Workplace In the rapidly evolving business world, one of the most significant challenges leaders face is managing the generational gap within their teams. Different generations bring varied experiences, expectations, and communication styles, often leading to misunderstandings and miscommunications. 🔍 Understanding Each Generation To foster a harmonious and productive work environment, it's crucial for leaders to understand and respect each generation's unique perspectives. Effective communication is the key to bridging these gaps, ensuring that every team member feels valued and heard. 💡 Why Our Program? Our "Communication Skills for Leaders Level 1" program is specifically designed to address these challenges. Here’s what you'll learn: - Recognize and interpret non-verbal cues in communication. - Master the art of active listening to understand diverse viewpoints. - Identify and adapt to the four main communication styles. - Employ triangulation strategies for effective workplace communication. - Navigate challenging conversations with confidence. - Tailor communication strategies for different generational needs. Elevate Your Leadership Developing strong communication skills is essential for building trust, fostering successful relationships, and creating an effective working environment. Our program offers 40 hours of intensive training over 10 weeks, providing leaders with the tools to engage effectively with their teams. Join Us! Are you ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? Our fully-funded "Communication Skills for Leaders Level 1" program is your gateway to becoming a more dynamic and effective communicator. It's challenging, but with our expert guidance, you'll emerge as a leader who can effortlessly bridge generational divides and lead teams to success. 📆 Don't miss this opportunity to revolutionize your leadership style! https://lnkd.in/g2ssWPS5

The Cornerstone of Leadership: Mastering the Art of Communication In the dynamic world of leadership, effective communication stands as the bedrock of success. It's not just about conveying a message; it’s about bridging gaps, building relationships, and fostering an environment of clarity and trust. Here's how mastering communication can transform your leadership: 1. Tackling Miscommunication: Misunderstandings are more than just minor hiccups; they're the root cause of inefficiency, conflict, and drama. Clear, concise, and considerate communication cuts through the noise, ensuring your team is aligned and moving in the same direction. Remember, it's not just what you say, it’s how and when you say it. 2. Building Strong Relationships: Leadership is as much about relationships as it is about strategy. Effective communication nurtures these relationships. It helps avoid the pitfalls of gossip and mistrust, creating a foundation for genuine collaboration. It's about listening actively, empathizing, and understanding the perspectives of your team. 3. Navigating Through Turf Wars: Every workplace has its challenges, and 'turf wars' are among the most detrimental. As a leader, your communication skills are crucial in navigating these situations. Addressing issues head-on, mediating disputes, and fostering a culture of openness and respect are key. Remember, a toxic environment is the antithesis of productivity. 4. Creating a Collaborative Culture: Finally, communication is the cornerstone of collaboration. It's about breaking down silos and encouraging cross-functional teamwork. In a world where remote work and digital interactions are commonplace, effective communication becomes even more vital. It's about ensuring everyone feels heard, valued, and part of the team, regardless of their location. In essence, communication in leadership is about more than just sharing information. It's about creating an environment where clarity thrives, relationships flourish, and collective goals are achieved. As leaders, let's commit to honing this skill, for it's the catalyst that transforms good leaders into great ones. w#LeadershipCommunication #EffectiveLeadership #Teamwork #ProfessionalGrowth #LinkedInInsights

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership Journey with Masterful Communication 🌟 In the insightful words of Denise Jeffrey, "The path to leadership is through communication." This powerful statement not only highlights the pivotal role of communication in leadership but also serves as a guiding beacon for aspiring leaders. Communication isn't just about conveying information; it's the lifeline of effective leadership, fostering connection, understanding, and mutual respect. Let's explore how you can enhance your communication skills to unlock your full leadership potential: 1. **Listen Actively and Empathetically**: True communication starts with listening. Active listening involves fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and then remembering what is being said. Empathy in listening allows leaders to connect with their team on a deeper level, building trust and openness. 2. **Cultivate Clarity and Conciseness**: In a world flooded with information, the ability to communicate clearly and concisely is invaluable. Whether it's setting goals, giving feedback, or sharing a vision, simplicity and precision ensure your message is understood and remembered. 3. **Embrace Transparency**: Honesty and openness are the foundations of effective communication. By being transparent, you not only foster trust but also encourage a culture where feedback and ideas flow freely, leading to innovation and growth. 4. **Adapt Your Communication Style**: Understanding and adapting to the diverse communication styles of your team can significantly enhance interaction. Tailoring your approach based on who you're speaking to ensures your message resonates, increasing engagement and effectiveness. 5. **Encourage Feedback and Dialogue**: Leadership is a two-way street. Creating an environment where feedback is valued and sought after not only improves communication but also empowers your team, driving motivation and commitment. 6. **Master Non-Verbal Communication**: Non-verbal cues often speak louder than words. Paying attention to body language, eye contact, and tone of voice can greatly improve how your message is received and interpreted. 7. **Commit to Continuous Learning**: The landscape of communication is ever-evolving. Staying committed to learning and improving your communication skills is crucial. Attend workshops, seek mentorship, and practice regularly to refine your abilities. By focusing on these areas, you'll not only enhance your communication skills but also strengthen your leadership. Remember, the journey of leadership is continuous, and at its heart lies the power of communication—unlocking it is your key to success. #LeadershipDevelopment #EffectiveCommunication #ProfessionalGrowth #DeniseJeffrey #CommunicationSkills #TeamEngagement #LeadershipTips #Business #AI Follow us at AI Business Dynamics and Denise Jeffrey

I've got huge regard for Mary Parker Follet - the Cambridge trained American social scientist and consultant who's views from the 1880s ran so counter to the economics inspired mantra of 'Taylorism - where people were treated simply as a 'factor of production' to be used as efficiently as possible. Let's face it that attitude prevailed for far too long. Mary Parker Follet's definition of management a "the art of getting things done through people" - leadership communication (fostering collaboration, resolving conflicts, empowering participation and articulating shared purpose and vision). One can only wonder how much her views were disputed, disregarded or diminished due to the fact she was a woman? After all, women’s suffrage was still in its infancy and there were very few female leaders in business.   This article is a great summary of the history of thinking and research around leadership communication over the past 150 years. Ian Ogilvie Shawn Callahan Marieke Zieleman Jane Hardy Gabrielle O'Connor Megan Ferguson Rich McLafferty Martin RAWLING Cathryn Monro #leadership #leadershipcommunication #conversations #historyofleadership

Are you a leader of people? Are you a good listener? How do you know? According to The Work Project, being a good listener is the number one leadership skill. It’s not a nice to have; it’s an expectation. The Work Project asked over 4,000 people to select the top three qualities their dream boss would have, and “good listener” came out on top. It beat “respectful” by 15 percentage points, “collaborative/team player” by 20 percentage points, and “empowers people” by 23 percentage points. If listening is the number one expectation, are we giving it the right attention? Their research also shows that if you feel listened to at work, it doubles the chance of you having more good days at work. That’s because listening shapes the experience we have at work and is a core enabler of psychological safety. Effective listening is a skill that can be learned. And there is no one more qualified to teach it, than the incomparable London-based Howard Krais. He co-authored a book about listening recently, with Dr Kevin Ruck and Mike Pounsford called: “Leading the Listening Organisation.” Tomorrow, Tuesday 18 June at 5pm, Howard will lead a special 90-minute virtual workshop on all things listening, in partnership with the Centre for Strategic Communication Excellence. And you receive a copy of his new book as part of your registration. The usual price for this workshop is $295 AUD without the book, you get the workshop and the book for $60 AUD if you are CSCE or IABC member and $80 as a non-member. This is one event you don’t want to miss. For more details and to register: https://lnkd.in/dBwtT_tR This event is not only for communication professionals who play a leading role in role modelling effective listening practices, but also for all leaders (regardless of profession) who want to improve their listening skills and impact their organisation’s bottom line. Because… “The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them.” – Ralph Nichols #listening #communication #leadership

Bedtime stories to leadership lessons During a family visit, a simple interaction with my niece offered me a valuable lesson in leadership & communication. After a fun evening viewing the city's dancing fountains, I found myself weaving a bedtime story for her. As the story unfolded, I mentioned a man reaching the foot of a mountain. To my surprise, my niece, probably just 4 or 5 then, adamantly corrected me, insisting it was a "fountain," not realizing that "mountain" was a word outside her vocabulary. This innocent exchange stayed with me and unexpectedly resurfaced during a meeting with a vendor. The vendor held onto his perspective, unable to acknowledge our viewpoint. It struck me then: just like my niece, they weren’t denying our view out of stubbornness but simply because it was outside their realm of experience. This immediately caused a shift in my approach with them, and I chose to first induct them into our thinking. Essentially this is the “I don’t know, what I don’t know” quadrant of the much touted Hierarchy of Competence. But this story explains the concept in a relatable way. My team at work has often heard me repeat this story to the extent that whenever this scenario played out within ourselves, or a with a stakeholder just the mention of “mountain-fountain” was enough to ease the stress and bring us back to a resourceful state. I gleaned some crucial insights for first-time leaders (#FTL) and managers from this: 1.             Recognize the Limits of Experience: Just as my niece was unfamiliar with "mountains," team members or stake holders (or sometimes one themselves) might not be aware of certain perspectives or information. It's important to acknowledge these gaps in understanding. 2.             Adapt Communication to Your Audience: When faced with differing viewpoints, tailor your communication to bridge the gap. In my story, I adapted the narrative to "fountain". 3.             Deletion, Distortion and Generalization of Communication: Be mindful of #DDG in communication. One often deletes the part of communication that does not resonate with their model of the world. 4.             Be Open-minded and Receptive: A leader at any stage but especially an FTL must be open to ideas and concepts beyond their immediate understanding or experience. 5.             Encourage a Learning Environment: Foster a culture where there is room for learning from mistakes without the stigma of shame. This seemingly small incident with my niece made me realize that sometimes, the most profound lessons come from the most unexpected places, one only needs to be in a mindfully receiving mode. What unique experiences have shaped your leadership approach? I’d love to hear them in the comments! #LeadershipGrowth #EffectiveCommunication #LeadershipLessons #CommunicationSkills #LeadershipDevelopment #Adaptability #Perspectives #LeadershipStories #FirstTimeLeaders #FTL #ContinuousLearning #LeadershipMindset #LeadershipTips