How are your 2023 New Year’s Resolutions going? For many of us (myself included), the challenge isn’t setting goals or INTENTIONS; it’s turning them into HABITS. Say you’ve just read a book or listened to a podcast that resonates with you, and you decide you want to implement what you’ve just learned. How do you make … Read More
I have two quick things to share with you today: 1. The #1 technique to improve your communication skills – fast 2. My communication pet peeve “What’s the fastest way to improve my communication skills?” People ask me this question all the time. Can you guess what my answer is? It’s recording yourself and then … Read More
Quick: When I say “COMMUNICATION BEST PRACTICES,” what comes to mind? Is it: Be courteous and punctual Don’t interrupt Watch your language…? Certainly, these things are important. But these points are pretty basic.In this week’s podcast episode, I share my top 3 tips for five different communication media, and all of them are beyond the basics. Here’s … Read More
Have you ever had a performance review via email? Has anyone ever broken 💔 up with you via text? Or proposed to you over the phone? I hope not! Yes, these examples are clichés. But they perfectly illustrate why your choice of communication medium is important. This goes for both personal and professional contexts. Here’s an example in a professional, … Read More
I have some fun trivia for you. You’ve probably heard this famous quote, and maybe you’ve even said it: “The Medium is the Message.” First piece of trivia: The correct quote is actually, “The MEDIUM is the MASSAGE.” That’s what 🇨🇦 Canadian philosopher and English & media studies professor Marshall McLuhan called his 1967 book: “The … Read More
For many of us (myself included), January is a time to make a fresh start, and to adopt new and improved habits to help us achieve our goals for the year ahead. Image by New Africa studio via Canva Also for many of us, email causes a lot of stress. But email is supposed to be a tool … Read More
Image by pixelshot via Canva 2022 is almost over! It’s easy to get caught up in the end-of-year stress, isn’t it? I try my best to focus on some of my favourite things: LISTS and GIFT GIVING! LISTS Are YOU a list maker? I definitely am! (Thank you, ❤️ Mom!) Image by @glenncarstenspeters via unsplash This … Read More
Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, the end of the year is another time in our calendar when gift-giving is rampant. There are corporate gifts, teacher gifts, and on and on… For some of us, GIFT GIVING is a beloved tradition that brings us much joy. But it can also bring us stress! Image by alexkich via Canva … Read More
Would you be surprised if I told you that 7 in 10 women would rather minimize than share their successes? This is something I hear All. The. Time. From women and men! For many of us, there’s a fear that when we SAY NICE THINGS about ourselves – when we share our achievements and credentials … Read More
THANK YOU to listener “Amanda” who recently asked me for some pointers on how to “SAY NICE THINGS” about herself. I dedicated this week’s podcast episode to answering Amanda’s question! Do YOU ever struggle to talk about your credentials & accomplishments? Like it or not, learning to say nice things about ourselves is an imperative. … Read More
Have you ever been in a meeting and it suddenly occurred to you that you’re the only one at the table who hasn’t said anything yet? Or perhaps you’ve been told by your boss that you need to SPEAK UP. These scenarios are very common! SPEAKING UP in meetings is a fantastic opportunity for you…. … Read More
Do you find it difficult to SPEAK UP in meetings? If you answered yes, I promise you are NOT alone. Image by Prostock-Studio via Canva Struggling to speak up in meetings is extremely common, and not only for introverts. We’ve all been there. Myself included! Yes, even me, a self-proclaimed extrovert, has felt the anxiety … Read More
The best marketers spend a lot of time understanding their target market. Similarly, the best communicators spend a lot of time thinking about their “audience.” Whether they’re up on stage communicating with a formal audience, or casually chatting with a colleague in the hallway, the best communicators focus on others. Another way to thinking about … Read More
Recently I learned about 2 records held by John F. Kennedy that I hadn’t heard before: FAST-TALKING – In Dec. 1961, JFK set the record for public speaking at 327 words-per-minute. (That’s like listening to a podcast at 3x the regular speed!) SLOW-TALKING – During his inaugural address, JFK spoke at a remarkably slow rate of … Read More
As we learned last week from Deloitte partner Jennifer Lee: IMPACT is the ability to get someone else to take action. Jennifer T. Lee There was a common thread in our conversation: Communicating with IMPACT means communicating with RESPECT. Here are three specific ways that we can show our audience a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T… 1. Be Curious One of the … Read More
“Communicating with IMPACT”… Sounds great, right? But what does that even mean? Meet Jennifer Lee, one of the most impactful communicators I know. Jennifer T. Lee Creating impact is Jennifer’s superpower. She’s an inspiring and bold leader who creates impact in her roles as a sr. partner at Deloitte, university lecturer at the University of Toronto, … Read More
So, have you figured out your SUPERPOWER yet? Your superpower is also connected to your Personal Brand. It’s what you’re known for. It’s your reputation. It’s how other people think of you when you’re not there. This is one of the reasons why articulating your superpower is so important – especially in a professional context. … Read More
I’ve got a question for you: Each and every one of us has a SUPERPOWER. I don’t mean the ability to fly or to stop a speeding bullet. I mean the thing that positively and uniquely distinguishes you from others. The thing that makes you remarkable. The thing that makes you, YOU! Your superpower could … Read More
Here’s a quote for you: Oooooo, I just love that quote, don’t you? It’s TRUE! If you’re up for it, I’d love it if YOU’d ask ME a question that I can answer in a future TalkAboutTalk podcast episode. Please email me your question before November 1st, or go to the talkabouttalk.com website and verbally ask me … Read More
Before you read any further, please answer these 5 QUESTIONS: 1. What are your PET PEEVES? 2. What type of LEARNER are you? 3. Are you an INTROVERT or EXTROVERT? 4. What’s your COMMUNICATION MEDIA preference for personal conversations? 5. What’s a PODCAST, BLOG, or NEWSLETTER you’d recommend? Image by serggn from Getty Images/Canva Do … Read More
It’s Monday. You’ve just arrived at the office or logged into your first virtual meeting of the day when your colleague asks, “How was your weekend?” This happens ALL THE TIME, doesn’t it? It’s probably not obvious, but your answer to this question is another opportunity to reinforce your PERSONAL BRAND. Image by Sezeryadigar from Getty … Read More
When it comes to about reinforcing your PERSONAL BRAND, what should we focus on first? The obvious places to start are with your LinkedIn profile, your resume and bio, your body language, and how you introduce yourself. (That’s where I’d start, too!) But as I said to someone recently, “The opportunities of where to communicate your Personal Brand … Read More
Beyond jumping around like a hooligan, what do you think communicating your ENTHUSIASM looks like? Image by Monkey Business Images from Canva Communicating enthusiasm can involve a combination of actions, depending on the context. (You probably wouldn’t communicate enthusiasm to your boss in the same way you would to a 5 year old, am I right?) In the … Read More
Negotiations. Job searches. Teaching and learning. Sales. Have you ever wondered if there is something you could do to improve the outcomes of situations like these? Well, there is! The thing you should be doing? Show some ENTHUSIASM! I was first introduced to the power of enthusiasm by my friend, Dr. Tatiana Astray, whose … Read More
Whether you’re a job-seeker or a recruiter, have you ever stopped to consider exactly WHY employers hire people? I don’t mean why they might hire a particular candidate, but the overarching reason for hiring someone at all. According to executive recruiter Sharon Mah-Gin, the answer is 3-fold, and is something that every job-seeker and recruiter should consider throughout the recruiting … Read More
These days, It seems that everyone is either looking to HIRE people or looking for a NEW JOB, doesn’t it? The whole recruiting process can be very stressful. So I turned to my friend, executive recruiter Sharon Mah-Gin to ask her advice. Whether you’re a recruiter or a job-seeker, this week’s podcast episode is a must! … Read More
CONFIDENCE is a topic I’m frequently asked about. In fact, one of the most downloaded Talk About Talk podcast episodes of all time is about mental preparation for communicating with confidence. Does your confidence need a boost? In the latest Talk About Talk podcast episode, you’ll hear the full audio from a Q&A focused on Personal Branding. Many … Read More
If you’ve been a Talk About Talk newsletter subscriber for a while, you’ve probably learned a few things about PERSONAL BRANDING. But I bet you still have some Qs. Recently I did a LIVE Q&A focused on Personal Branding, with an audience of over 850!!! I hope you’ll listen. You’ll hear my answers to 13 Qs, moderated … Read More
Let me ask you something: What makes you REMARKABLE? “Remarkable.” That’s a great word, isn’t it? It’s a word that Lisa Bragg, CEO of MediaFace and Founder of The Bragging Rights Collective, thinks we should use more often. I agree. Lisa Bragg Last week I introduced you to Lisa’s philosophy of BRAGGING – a bold and positive reframing of … Read More
“Stop BRAGGING!” “It’s not polite to brag.” “Nobody likes a bragger.” Image by Dean Drobot from Canva Wait – is BRAGGING really such a bad thing? Not according to Lisa Bragg, Founder and CEO of MediaFace, and author of the forthcoming book, Bragging Rights. Lisa says that the really negative things associated with … Read More
If you’ve ever led a TEAM, you know that this comes with tremendous responsibility. As a leader, you’re responsible for charting the course and steering the ship. Image by Perkus from Getty Images Signature/Canva Ultimately, you are responsible for the performance of your team. One way to position your team for success is to create a PSYCHOLOGICALLY … Read More
Let me ask you a question: do you know the #1 factor that sets apart consistently high-performing teams and organizations? It’s not higher pay, or open concept workspaces, or assigning teams based on personality test results. It’s PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY. Image by Kindel Media from Pexels/Canva When you hear the term “safety” in a work context, you … Read More
Whether written or verbal, professional or personal, communicating with PRECISION ensures that your audience stays engaged and can easily comprehend your message. It also has the added benefit of increasing your likeability! Sounds great, right? But HOW do we do this? Image by alphaspirt from Getty Images Signature/Canva How can we ensure that our message is … Read More
COMMUNICATION is a two-way street. There’s talking and there’s listening. Today we’re focusing on talking. QUESTION for you: When you’re talking, how do people respond? Are they engaged? Do people comprehend what you’re saying? Do people think you’re rambling? Do they ever look at you like this? Image by ferrantraite from Getty Images Signature/Canva OOPH. How … Read More
When it comes to our professional lives, the difference between advancing in our careers or feeling stuck often comes down to one thing: our COMMUNICATION SKILLS. Whether your goal is to land a new role at a new company, be considered for a promotion, or to flourish in your current role, communicating effectively is key. Image by abluecup … Read More
Do you have communication skills QUESTIONS? Perhaps you’re wondering how to deal with a difficult boss, or you’re not sure how to set yourself apart in a job search, or maybe you’re an introvert looking for tips on getting more comfortable “on stage.” Image by Professor25 from Getty Images/Canva You’ve got questions, I’ve got answers! … Read More
We all have a personal brand, whether we choose to strategically manage it or not. And more and more of our impressions are made online. Image by ismagilov from Getty Images/Canva There’s no question: Social media is a fantastic opportunity to cultivate our personal brand! Last week I introduced you to my friend, social media … Read More
Do you ever catch yourself going on AUTOPILOT as you scroll through your SOCIAL MEDIA feeds? (I can’t be the only one!) Image by Latino Life from Canva No more AUTOPILOT! Don’t worry – that’s what these platforms were designed to do. And with so many different platforms and content creators, there’s a lot to take in. … Read More
It’s amazing how so many clients nod their head when I start talking about a GROWTH MINDSET. It seems that everyone has a growth mindset… Or do they? Image by designer491 from Getty Images Pro What exactly IS a growth mindset? Here’s how I define a growth mindset: it’s all about knowing what … Read More
This week we’re celebrating 100 EPISODES of the Talk About Talk podcast! How do you like to celebrate the major milestones in your life? Flowers 💐? Cake 🎂? Champagne 🥂? Image by inkdrop from Canva Or how about… sharing some of the key insights you’ve gained through the process of reaching that milestone? If you’re a … Read More
What do you call those voices in your head that prey on your insecurities and fuel the dreaded imposter syndrome? For some people it’s “the judge.” For others, it’s “the crow on your shoulder.” I recently learned another term for this that I absolutely love: “SABOTEURS” Image from Canva Isn’t that a great word? … Read More
Are you a SAGE LEADER? You might be sitting there thinking, “I don’t know… Am I? And what’s a Sage Leader, anyway?” That was my reaction when I first heard the term. Are we talking about a plant? Is this about archetypes? Image by Melpomenem from Getty Images Have no fear! Answers await! When … Read More
You may not think so, but managing your Personal Brand is kind of like managing your credit rating. Have you been putting off focusing on your PERSONAL BRAND? Maybe it’s been on your “to do” list for a while, but you were focusing other things that felt more pressing. Developing your Personal Brand may not … Read More
A few months ago I received a message from a Talk About Talk podcast listener in Europe, who decided she could benefit from communication coaching. Little did I know that our work together would inspire a future podcast episode, but you just never know when those “aha moments” are going to happen… Image by marchmeena29 from Getty … Read More
Every day, each of us has a decision about what to wear… image: unsplash @ anniespratt Feeling uninspired?!? Before you grab the same old suit/dress/shoes, ask yourself this: What can my PERSONAL STYLE say about my PERSONAL BRAND? Last week I introduced you to my “Fabulous Fashionista Friend,” the “Swiss Renaissance woman” Anne V. Muhlethaler. This week I want … Read More
Recently, I was coaching a senior marketing executive with a vivacious personality. This woman is BOLD. As we were running through the various ways she can communicate her bold personal brand, she asked: “Andrea, what should I WEAR?” At the time, she was wearing a black suit jacket over a beige shirt. No accessories that I could see. Lovely … Read More
Let’s “Power Pose” Let’s talk BODY LANGUAGE. Picture someone powerful and confident taking the stage. Maybe it’s a politician or business leader. Maybe it’s an Olympic athlete or a celebrity. What is it about them that conveys a sense of power and confidence? Is it the words they are speaking, or is it their BODY LANGUAGE? Image: … Read More
Do you ever scan your Body Language? When you were growing up, did your parents ever lecture you about your posture? “Stand up straight!” “Don’t slouch!” “Keep your hands out of your pockets!” It may have felt like nagging at the time, but it turns out our parents were actually doing us a favour. That’s … Read More
Gender stereotypes are everywhere. You’ve probably heard the expression, “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus.” This was the title of a best-selling book published in 1992, billed as a guide to understanding the opposite sex. So, are men and women really from different planets? No, of course not! However, men and women often DO have different communication … Read More
Have you ever wondered whether self-promotion has to be “shameless”? Or when you should (and should NOT) apologize? Or why and how men and women often communicate differently? If you haven’t listened to episode 95 yet, part 2 of my conversation with communication expert Judith Humphrey, we cover all this and more! Thanks again, Judith! Here’s a summary … Read More
Last week I introduced you to my friend, communication expert Judith Humphrey. We focused on one of the biggest obstacles in our path to leadership: imposter syndrome, or what Judith describes as the crow on your shoulder, cackling away, and depleting your confidence. I ❤️love this crow metaphor. That crow is not you, its message is not true, and you can talk back to … Read More
We need to talk about that crow on your shoulder. Imagine you’re TAKING THE STAGE – it could be a speech, a big meeting, or a presentation to an important client. Image by jgroup from Getty Images You’re prepared. You did your research. You’ve rehearsed. But you still hear it: that incessant CROW, cackling in your ear: “You’re not … Read More
Make 3 your default Why make 3 your default? Three is a powerful number that makes it easier for us to understand and recall information. Three is balanced and substantive, without being overwhelming. In the most recent Talk About Talk episode, I highlighted examples and benefits of the number 3. Image by hakan istemi from Getty Images … Read More
The Power of 3 Have you ever noticed that the number 3 is everywhere? “1-2-3-GO!” “Third time’s a charm.” “3 strikes and you’re out!” Think about it… The world around us is full of 3s, and that’s because there is something uniquely POWERFUL about the number three. (But don’t take my word for it – … Read More
Real Relationships on LinkedIn How many messages have you received on LinkedIn this past week saying “Hey! I came across your profile and I am looking to expand my network” or “Hi (insert any name here) I can help you increase your profits and leads by 200% in just 2 weeks. Let’s get on a … Read More
The Power of Networks “I hate networking!” Does that sound like you? Most of us have experienced bad networking; sales pitches, insincere conversations, and people trying to collect the most business cards possible at an event. (Is there a prize for that?) While “networking” as a verb can feel awkward and downright icky, we all … Read More
Talk About Talk Top 3 Communication Insights and Goals Happy 2022! In the most recent episode, The BEST OF Talk About Talk, I looked back at the Top 3 most downloaded episodes of 2021. (Image: Canva – Sergey Nivens) Have you listened to these episodes yet? Episode #58: Communicate with CONFIDENCE – Mental … Read More
The Talk About Talk Top 3’s! 2021 is almost over! It’s that time of the year when we look back at the year gone by, and also look ahead to the new year. (Image: Canva – duckycards from Getty Images Signature) Personally, I love rankings and “Best Of” lists. In this week’s … Read More
Thinking About Thought Leadership Have you listened to the most recent Talk About Talk episode, “DEMONSTRATING LEADERSHIP“? In this episode, we look at 5 ways to demonstrate leadership: Be a PROACTIVE, Strategic Leader Demonstrate PEOPLE LEADERSHIP Create THOUGHT-LEADERSHIP Communicate with CONFIDENCE Talk LEADERSHIP Last week, we talked about PEOPLE LEADERSHIP. This week, we’re getting a … Read More
Learning to Lead Focused on learning to lead? Are you seeking a LEADERSHIP position? Perhaps you’re looking for that promotion or perhaps you’re struggling with your “leadership style.” Or maybe your boss just said those magic words: “It’s time to start demonstrating leadership.” Whatever the case, leadership skills are in high demand and I believe … Read More
Do you have an accent? I happen to LOVE accents. I love hearing the tone and the character of a voice. An accent adds unique colour to a voice. Think about someone speaking with your favourite accent. Now imagine them reading tax law to you. Their voice could even make you want to listen! (This … Read More
Do You Like The Sound of Your Voice? Most people don’t like the sound of their voice. You never sound the same “out loud” as you do in your head. And what about how you sound when you hear your recorded voice? Exactly. We’ve all been there. This week’s Talk About Talk podcast episode … Read More
Listening Skills are a Superpower Yes, listening skills are a superpower! The most recent Talk About Talk podcast is focused on “The Power of LISTENING.” In this episode, you’ll learn: why listening is so difficult the 3 levels of listening strategies to improve your listening… LISTEN UP! Here’s your summary: 5 ways to improve your listening skills … Read More
Listen UP! Listen to this: Experts have noted that as a society, our LISTENING SKILLS are deteriorating. More of us are spending our time watching videos. We are a visually-oriented society. That’s sad, isn’t it? But I’m an optimist for two reasons: 1️⃣ LISTENING SKILLS is one of the most common topic requests I receive. Ambitious … Read More
CONNECTING PEOPLE – Are you a CONNECTOR? Connecting people in your network with each other, whether via email or IRL, can create valuable opportunities for everyone involved, especially if you do it correctly! Do you know the ETIQUETTE OF MAKING CONNECTIONS? This week we focus on: The “do’s & don’ts” of introducing two people Your … Read More
Last week we focused on INTRODUCING YOURSELF. Now we shift to INTRODUCING OTHERS. Hi, I’m Andrea! Question: Which do YOU think is more challenging? introducing yourself or introducing others? For me, it’s INTRODUCING OTHERS. I’ve stumbled a few times when introducing others, be it at networking events, dinner parties, or formally introducing a guest speaker. I have a nightmare 😱memory … Read More
Tips for Introducing Yourself Last week it was the framework, now its general tips for introducing yourself. Do you remember the framework? It’s 3 simple points: PRESENT PAST FUTURE Remember, it’s NOT a script and it’s NOT in chronological order. Here’s my example: PRESENT – “Hi. I’m Andrea Wojnicki. I’m a communication coach at Talk … Read More
How to Introduce Yourself Do you know how to INTRODUCE YOURSELF? When you’re in a meeting and the meeting leader says, “Let’s take a moment to briefly introduce ourselves. I’ll go first…” …does your head start spinning? Perhaps you get tongue-tied when you’re introducing yourself? Maybe you get distracted by “that guy “ whose self-introduction lasts way … Read More
Use jargon strategically It seems the JARGON episode struck a chord. Several people told me they’re now more conscious than ever of their words. That’s a good thing! Have you ever considered that Jargon can be 🤣funny?!? In case you don’t believe me (and even if you do), PLEASE check out this video of hockey players and how … Read More
AVOIDING JARGON. This week we’re going to get much more tactical. We’re talking JARGON. image: unsplash @ glen carrie Avoid JARGON. Words matter! In this week’s newsletter and podcast, you’ll learn: 3 types of jargon the impact of jargon, some good, but mostly bad please avoid these jargon PET PEEVES I wonder if you … Read More
Strategic Principles of Personal Branding Before we shift to the 3 STRATEGIC PRINCIPLES of PERSONAL BRANDING… let’s review the most common mistake that people make in terms of their PERSONAL BRAND. Do you remember what it is? COPYING OTHERS Instead of copying others, I urge you to focus on your unique traits and qualities – … Read More
STRATEGIC PERSONAL BRANDING CONFIDENCE is still the #1 most common communication-skills-related topic that I get asked about from listeners and clients. PERSONAL BRANDING is a close second. Interestingly, when we take the time to define and communicate our PERSONAL BRAND, our CONFIDENCE is elevated. So focusing on your personal brand is like a double-whammy! image: unsplash … Read More
How to Overcome IMPOSTER SYNDROME Need some advice on how to overcome IMPOSTER SYNDROME? Let’s back up. Did you take the IMPOSTER SYNDROME TEST that I sent you last week? (Here’s the LINK.) It’s a fun exercise. But it turns out most of us feel like imposters! image: Unsplash @ Jon Tyson Here are 3 … Read More
Let’s Talk IMPOSTER SYNDROME In this week’s podcast and newsletter, we talk IMPOSTER SYNDROME. Recently at Talk About Talk, we talked about confidence-related topics including INTROVERSION, EXTROVERSION, and SHYNESS. CONFIDENCE is key to effective communication. This week, we cover IMPOSTER SYNDROME. Read on to learn what it is, where you can take the imposter syndrome test, and some good news about this scary topic… Let’s … Read More
MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT INTROVERTS & EXTROVERTS Last week we defined INTROVERT, EXTROVERT, and AMBIVERT. This week we cover common misconceptions about these terms. We already covered the first of our 3 misconceptions: We’re all one or the other, an introvert or an extrovert. NOPE! As I mentioned last week, it’s a continuous scale. In fact, most of us are in the … Read More
“Are you an INTROVERT or an EXTROVERT?” This introvert or extrovert Q is question #3 of the five rapid-fire questions that I ask Talk About Talk podcast guests: What are your pet peeves? What type of learner are you? Introvert or extrovert? What’s your media preference for personal conversations? What podcasts or email newsletters do … Read More
RESPONSES TO TABOO TOPICS Here’s a Q about responses to taboo topics. Have you ever been seated at a table, perhaps at a business luncheon or a conference, when someone starts talking politics or gun-laws, something TABOO, and you realize people are literally squirming in their seats? image unsplash Baptista Ime James What do you … Read More
This week we’re talking TABOO! “Taboo topics” are fascinating, aren’t they? I’m a big fan of stand-up comedy, and I love watching how comedians use taboo topics to entertain and shock their audiences – be it talk about sex, relationships, money, profanity, I could go on. Have you ever noticed that taboo topics are also commonly … Read More
PODCAST RECOMMENDATIONS FROM ANDREA & MORE…. My top 3 podcast recommendations Podcast listening tips & facts My podcasting question for you. Let’s do this! Andrea’s Top 3 Podcast Recommendations I listen to a lot of podcasts when I’m getting ready in the morning, when I’m walking or driving, when I’m putting away groceries… Here … Read More
Communication Insights from Dave Jackson Ever since I started podcasting, I’ve been listening to Dave Jackon and his School of Podcasting. Dave has been podcasting since 2005 and he was inducted into the Podcasting Hall of Fame in 2018. He is the author of “Profit from Your Podcast,” and he has launched over 30 different podcasts with … Read More
On WHERE TO FIND GREAT STORIES – and more…. “Where can I find great stories? This is one of the most common questions I get. Read on to learn: 4 places to find great stories how to use storytelling to elevate your personal brand Let’s do this! Where to FIND Great Stories … Read More
How to Tell Impactful Stories Speaking of impactful stories – Have you watched the #1 most-watched TEDTalk? Over 20 million people have viewed this “Do Schools Kill Creativity?” TEDTalk by Sir Ken Robinson: Many experts have dissected this 18-minute TEDTalk to better understand what makes it so compelling. There’s Sir Robinson’s use of humour, … Read More
On Strategic Networking & Who to Have in Your Network A few weeks ago, we focused on the #1 SECRET to successful strategic NETWORKING. Do you remember the secret? Networking is NOT about YOU. It’s about ADDING VALUE. It’s about GIVING, not taking. The feedback was very positive when I posted this insight on social media. One of … Read More
On PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT & UPSKILLING There’s no question that we can accelerate our career advancement by focusing on our PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT and strategically UPSKILLING, whether it’s taking a course to acquire formal accreditation, doing a “lunch & learn” workshop at work, or hiring someone to coach you through a “development opportunity” identified in your recent performance … Read More
The Secret to Successful Networking Successful networking is not sales-y or awkward. I have a confession: Until recently, the notion of NETWORKING made me cringe. Networking is sales-y. Selfish. Awkward. Right? image unsplash @ neonbrand WRONG. Last year I interviewed executive recruiter Sharon Mah-Gin about NETWORKING. That episode quickly became the most downloaded Talk About Talk episode! … Read More
IMPLICIT COMMUNICATION & YOUR PERSONAL BRAND We can think of communicating our PERSONAL BRAND both EXPLICITLY and IMPLICITLY: EXPLICIT as in the words. Overt, direct, unambiguous messages. This includes your resume and how you introduce yourself. IMPLICIT as in signalling or sending queues. This is less direct, but critically important communication, as in your body language, your style, and lots more… … Read More
HOW TO DEMONSTRATE LEADERSHIP Several listeners and workshop participants asked me for advice on how to “DEMONSTRATE LEADERSHIP.” This is a FANTASTIC question! Whether you’re looking to get into an MBA program, get promoted from your entry-level position, or perhaps you’re ready to enter the c-suite, the decision-makers who will decide your fate are focused … Read More
Introducing the Unapologetically Authentic Jill Nykoliation Are you an AUTHENTIC LEADER? If you haven’t had a chance yet, please listen to Part 1 of my interview with JILL NYKOLIATION. Jill’s growth mindset, her candour, her self-awareness and her focus on creating a positive working environment for her team is truly exemplary. Jill Nykoliation I have two words … Read More
Meet Jill Nykoliation – CEO of Juniper Park, TBWA Are you leadership material? Do you COMMUNICATE LIKE A BOSS? I know someone who does and I’m so excited to introduce you to her! Jill Nykoliation – like a boss! Years ago, Jill Nykoliation and I started our careers together at Kraft foods in brand marketing. About when … Read More
YOUR PERSONAL BRAND – I’m excited to share 5 insights to help you improve your PERSONAL BRAND! Recently my friend Sharon Mah-Gin and I have been coaching female executives all over the world on Personal Branding and Networking. Do you remember Sharon? She’s the energetic executive recruiter who shared her Networking tips with us in two … Read More
How MINDFUL are you? Are you focused or are you oblivious? Yes, I admit that MINDFULNESS is a buzzword these days. But being mindful, being intentional, can elevate our communication effectiveness and even our life satisfaction. Mindfulness & meditation coach, Swiss renaissance woman, Anne V. Muhlethaler For this episode, I interviewed ANNE V. MUHLETHALER, a true … Read More
PERSONALITY TESTS Let’s talk about personality tests. This week it’s all about YOU! As in your individual, unique, very own PERSONALITY… (image: Unsplash @ georgeprentzas) I know this is a popular topic. We are intrinsically wired to seek to understand and learn about ourselves. PERSONALITY is one of the most searched terms on the TalkAboutTalk.com website! … Read More
Technology, VR, and Practicing our Communication Skills This week we’re going high-tech with VR and communication skills. Two weeks ago we learned why practice does NOT make perfect and how to practice with intention from my friend Dr. Nadine Kelly. Nadine personally practices yoga, podcasting, and the drums, amongst other things! This week I’m excited to … Read More
Telling stories is a superpower. Stories are memorable, they evoke emotion, they connect us, and they help us communicate our personal brand. This week we’re focusing on STORYTELLING, one of the 3 COMMUNICATION SUPERPOWERS: Listening Communicating with Confidence Storytelling !!! Recently, I’ve been personally experimenting with STORYTELLING. For example, I’ve released podcast episodes and conducted corporate … Read More
“Practice makes perfect.” Right? Maybe not! (Just ask 🏀 Allen Iverson…) “Practice makes perfect” is a cliche. Practice can certainly elevate our performance, be it playing sports, playing a musical instrument, or making a client presentation. It occurred to me recently that while we talk a lot about various aspects of communication (like networking and personal branding and … Read More
GENDER DIFFERENCES IN COMMUNICATION Certainly, gender differences exist: “Men are direct. Women are emotional….” “Men are from Mars, women are from Venus.” You’ve probably heard the comments and perhaps you’ve witnessed differences between how men and women talk. Recently a few people asked me about the differences between how men and women communicate. Like you, I’ve … Read More
