Communications Seminar Tips
Yesterday I attended a lecture at the library with Aunt Ellen about Communication. The speaker was a radio host who had done all this other media stuff name Bill Mauler. I didn't have any expectations going into it but it was very much worth the two hours. I took notes and am transferring them here so I always know where they are to refer back to.
ATTITUD is how you present yourself. Be aware of your Words, Facial expressions, Body actions, Thoughts and Perceptions
You respond positively to someone who is Genuine, Confident, Empathetic, Thoughtful listener, and has an Expressive Body and voice.
Wear a smile as much as possibe.... Even when walking from point A to B.
Don't slouch but have shoulders back and be looking out not down.
THOUGHT MODELS are how we perceive ourselves. Have a positive outlook on yourself.
I could only do X IF ONLY ABC is NOT the way to think!
I WANT TO CHANGE
I CAN CHANGE
I WILL CHANGE
FIRST IMPRESSIONS-
Visualize who you want to be in a situation before you go into it.
PASSION- Have passion for what you want to do and that can trump any lack of experience.
HOW you say something is MORE important than what you say
The breakdown of how we are influenced by if we are liked or disliked with a first impression is broken down into the rule of 7/38/55
7% of an impression will be the actual words we say
38% will be HOW we say it
55% will be our body language and facial expressions
When you say something important SPEAK SLOWLY AND CLEARLY!
When someone asks you to tell about yourself (interview) DO NOT restate your resume but tell about your SUCCESSES!!
The KILLER STORY is a short 2-3 min story that engages the audience while at the same time shows something about yourself, who you are and what you are about.
-Plan what you are going to say. Don't memorize it but know the key points
-Weave in elements of your speech into the variety of questions asked
-Practice over and over. Know your Goals and Personal accomplishments
-ALWAYS be revising speech.
-Be BRIEF and cut out details and fluff.
-Use POWER words
-Say what OTHERS have said about you " The teachers said I was very creative and a fast thinker"
-A killer speech will have you standing out from others
EX: So tell me a little bit about yourself Lauren...
I'm Lauren and I would have to say one of my strongest qualities is my ability to think on my feet. Not long ago I was working as a substitute teacher when I was given a classroom of an Art teacher who had to go home early due to illness. No lesson plans were left for me and the kids were due to come in very shortly. I could have given then coloring pages but I knew how exciting art time is to a child so I thought back to a project I had done in grade school, pulled out the colored paper and glue and had it all set up for the kids to design their own ideal collages. It was a big hit with the kids and the teachers when they picked them up and they said I was creative and a fast thinker.
ELEVATOR SPEECH
- FOCUS ON THE #1 THING THAT YOU DO BEST rather than deliver a laundry list.
- USE POWER WORDS like Transform, Originate, Craft. Not "help"
*Have several short capabilities statements ready. "Last month, I was assigned X and I did XX and it resulted in XX, and you can call XX to see why they are so happy."
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE KNOWN FOR? Attributes, qualities such as hard working, creative, supportive, spontaneous, deliberative, selfless
-YOUR DIFFERNTIATORS? What is different, interesting, surprising or remarkable about YOU
- WHAT HAVE OTHERS SAID ABOUT YOU AND YOUR WORK? Do you have any testimonials from people of significance?
- WHAT IS YOUR STORY? A brief Narrative you can tell that makes someone think "wow... that is really something!" A story about character which you could link to the professional world,,, or about a success against the odds. A story about your skills or why you've chosen the particular field you have. DON'T sound boastful!
OUTLINE FOR ELEVATOR SPEECH
What I want to be known for
a.
b.
c
Differentiators?
a
b
c
Successes?
a
b
c
Testimonials
a
b
My Story
THINGS TO PRACTICE
Everyday as much as you can, become aware of bad habits in speech and expression and replace them with good communication habits. This is the new you emerging... the new default way for you to talk.
-Don't be so nasal and enunciate your words
*Practice talking while holding your nose
*Draw out words slowly
Visualize the expressive qualities you want to have (the look of confidence, authority, empathy) and add them to your expressive repertoire. Practice before the mirror, family and friends.
Speak More. When reading something... Speak the words. Listen to your voice. If it is lazy or monotone... add vitality and richness
Refine your elevator speech. Keep it updated. Do not memorize it but practice delivering it with Enthusiasm an Confidence!
ATTITUD is how you present yourself. Be aware of your Words, Facial expressions, Body actions, Thoughts and Perceptions
You respond positively to someone who is Genuine, Confident, Empathetic, Thoughtful listener, and has an Expressive Body and voice.
Wear a smile as much as possibe.... Even when walking from point A to B.
Don't slouch but have shoulders back and be looking out not down.
THOUGHT MODELS are how we perceive ourselves. Have a positive outlook on yourself.
I could only do X IF ONLY ABC is NOT the way to think!
I WANT TO CHANGE
I CAN CHANGE
I WILL CHANGE
FIRST IMPRESSIONS-
Visualize who you want to be in a situation before you go into it.
PASSION- Have passion for what you want to do and that can trump any lack of experience.
HOW you say something is MORE important than what you say
The breakdown of how we are influenced by if we are liked or disliked with a first impression is broken down into the rule of 7/38/55
7% of an impression will be the actual words we say
38% will be HOW we say it
55% will be our body language and facial expressions
When you say something important SPEAK SLOWLY AND CLEARLY!
When someone asks you to tell about yourself (interview) DO NOT restate your resume but tell about your SUCCESSES!!
The KILLER STORY is a short 2-3 min story that engages the audience while at the same time shows something about yourself, who you are and what you are about.
-Plan what you are going to say. Don't memorize it but know the key points
-Weave in elements of your speech into the variety of questions asked
-Practice over and over. Know your Goals and Personal accomplishments
-ALWAYS be revising speech.
-Be BRIEF and cut out details and fluff.
-Use POWER words
-Say what OTHERS have said about you " The teachers said I was very creative and a fast thinker"
-A killer speech will have you standing out from others
EX: So tell me a little bit about yourself Lauren...
I'm Lauren and I would have to say one of my strongest qualities is my ability to think on my feet. Not long ago I was working as a substitute teacher when I was given a classroom of an Art teacher who had to go home early due to illness. No lesson plans were left for me and the kids were due to come in very shortly. I could have given then coloring pages but I knew how exciting art time is to a child so I thought back to a project I had done in grade school, pulled out the colored paper and glue and had it all set up for the kids to design their own ideal collages. It was a big hit with the kids and the teachers when they picked them up and they said I was creative and a fast thinker.
ELEVATOR SPEECH
- FOCUS ON THE #1 THING THAT YOU DO BEST rather than deliver a laundry list.
- USE POWER WORDS like Transform, Originate, Craft. Not "help"
*Have several short capabilities statements ready. "Last month, I was assigned X and I did XX and it resulted in XX, and you can call XX to see why they are so happy."
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE KNOWN FOR? Attributes, qualities such as hard working, creative, supportive, spontaneous, deliberative, selfless
-YOUR DIFFERNTIATORS? What is different, interesting, surprising or remarkable about YOU
- WHAT HAVE OTHERS SAID ABOUT YOU AND YOUR WORK? Do you have any testimonials from people of significance?
- WHAT IS YOUR STORY? A brief Narrative you can tell that makes someone think "wow... that is really something!" A story about character which you could link to the professional world,,, or about a success against the odds. A story about your skills or why you've chosen the particular field you have. DON'T sound boastful!
OUTLINE FOR ELEVATOR SPEECH
What I want to be known for
a.
b.
c
Differentiators?
a
b
c
Successes?
a
b
c
Testimonials
a
b
My Story
THINGS TO PRACTICE
Everyday as much as you can, become aware of bad habits in speech and expression and replace them with good communication habits. This is the new you emerging... the new default way for you to talk.
-Don't be so nasal and enunciate your words
*Practice talking while holding your nose
*Draw out words slowly
Visualize the expressive qualities you want to have (the look of confidence, authority, empathy) and add them to your expressive repertoire. Practice before the mirror, family and friends.
Speak More. When reading something... Speak the words. Listen to your voice. If it is lazy or monotone... add vitality and richness
Refine your elevator speech. Keep it updated. Do not memorize it but practice delivering it with Enthusiasm an Confidence!