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
Upskilling, or focusing on personal development, can propel your career. But what skills should you focus on and how should you develop them? Cherry Siu, chief of staff at Deloitte, shares personal development insights from her personal experience and observation of other global professionals. Link to printable shownotes & summary: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/podcasts/#shownotes CONTENTS Summary Resources … 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
Personal branding is more than just the words we say about ourselves. Learn to reinforce your personal brand through consistent implicit communication, ranging from your personal style, possessions, affiliations, how you show up for meetings, and more. Find your printable “Personal Branding Checklist” HERE (ep.77) CONTENTS Your Personal Branding Checklist Resources YOUR CHECKLIST: Reinforcing … 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
Strong communication skills can elevate your leadership effectiveness and your career. CEO Jill Nykoliation shares her general career advice, what she keeps in her 2 notebooks, the most common career pitfalls, and more. Listen to learn how to communicate like a boss! This is the 2nd half of a 2-part interview. Please see episode #75 … 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
Effective leaders communicate like a boss! Compassion, precision, and frequency of communication are just a few of the values that CEO Jill Nykoliation exemplifies and that she encourages others to embrace. This is part 1 of a 2-part interview. The 2nd episode (#76) includes a summary of both episodes. Link to printable shownotes with … 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
On the tension of PERSONAL BRANDS: There’s a real tension here: Do you bring your whole self to work? How can we be authentic without sharing TMI (too much information)? How can we be transparent without appearing unprofessional? image: Unsplash @ loicleray Read on to learn: why navigating this authenticity-TMI tension might be easier for … Read More
How can we be authentic without sharing TMI (too much information)? How can we be transparent, bring our “whole selves” to work, without appearing unprofessional? Copywriter and messaging strategist Tom Megginson encourages us to be authentic, but focus on our audience. Code-switching and filtering are two ways to maintain authenticity without compromising professionalism. PRINTABLE SHOWNOTES … Read More
Do you encourage engagement when you LEAD ONLINE MEETINGS? I have a quick STORY for you… Recently when I was leading an online corporate workshop, I noticed that about 1/2 of the participants had their cameras turned OFF. (For the record, I prefer cameras are on, but it’s not necessary.) The workshop went well and the group was interactive, especially … Read More
Leading online meetings (virtual meetings) is a challenge. Staying focused and encouraging others to participate is a huge challenge! Learn 4 tactics to encourage engagement in others, plus tips on what we ourselves should be doing during virtual meetings. Link to Printable Shownotes HERE: https://talkabouttalk.com/podcasts/#shownotes CONTENTS Summary: PARTICIPATING: What to do during online meetings LEADING: … Read More
Combating Zoom Fatigue In last week’s ? podcast episode we focused on how to PREPARE so we can excel in online meetings. In this week’s newsletter, let’s shift to combating “ZOOM FATIGUE.” Have you noticed more and more people complaining about feeling exhausted? Fortunately, there are habits we can adopt to overcome Zoom fatigue! Based on some research (e.g. HBR … Read More
Actionable advice on how to communicate your personal brand online, including 3 KEY PRINCIPLES of personal branding, plus instructions for how to UPDATE, PARTICIPATE and MONITOR your personal brand online. LINK to printable shownotes: https://talkabouttalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/68-COMMUNICATING-YOUR-PERSONAL-BRAND-ONLINE.pdf CONTENTS Summary References & Links Transcript SUMMARY: Communicating Your Personal Brand ONLINE Personal Branding = Proactively Managing Your Identity Personal branding … Read More
Your Online Meeting Preparation Checklist ONLINE MEETING PREPARATION… do you know what to do? Virtual meetings are now the norm. That goes for both professional as well as personal communication. image: Unsplash @ becihannah In 2020, Zoom was the #1 most downloaded app in the App Store and the #2 most downloaded app overall (after TikTok)! Nowadays we … Read More
Here’s your online meeting preparation checklist! We cover technology requirements and recommendations, your physical space, and your personal appearance. Preparation can fuel success in virtual meetings. Link to Printable Shownotes HERE: https://talkabouttalk.com/podcasts/#shownotes Link to Printable “Meeting Prep Checklist” HERE: https://talkabouttalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/69-ONLINE-MEETINGS-Preparation.pdf (see pg. 3) CONTENTS Summary Online Meeting Prep Checklist Resources Transcript SUMMARY: PREPARING FOR ONLINE … Read More
Let’s Develop Your Personal Brand! It’s time to develop your personal brand. PERSONAL BRANDING, or proactively managing our identity, is important. But it can also be overwhelming. Let’s take it one step at a time! Last week I wrote and podcasted about HOW TO COMMUNICATE YOUR PERSONAL BRAND ONLINE. This is a great place to … Read More
On COMMUNICATING Your ONLINE Personal Brand – QUESTION: Do YOU have a “Personal Brand”? ANSWER: Of course you have a personal brand. We all do! The real question is: how actively are you managing it? PERSONAL BRANDING is reputation management or impression management. Ideally, your personal brand transcends both personal and professional contexts. Managing your personal … Read More
On INTRODUCTIONS – Every week in these newsletters, we focus on improving our communication skills. Let’s back up. What about INTRODUCTIONS? Well, clichés exist for a reason… “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” “A first impression is a lasting impression!” “Hi. I’m Andrea!” Read on to learn all about INTRODUCTIONS: How … Read More
These days, we’re all NETWORKING ONLINE. Read on to learn: general networking advice reasons you should be optimistic how to approach people when you’re networking online tips for following up with people when you’re networking online Let’s do this! ? THE PODCAST For this timely podcast, I interviewed Sharon via Zoom. Sharon has so much positive energy! Sharon … Read More
Online networking is the only networking these days! Executive recruiter Sharon-Mah-Gin shares advice on how to approach people when networking online, how to follow-up, as well as general networking advice. There are many reasons to be optimistic! Just remember: “With true networking, it’s really not about you. It’s really about building relationships with like-minded people. … Read More
Let’s focus. 2021 has the potential to be an amazing year. Certainly, there are some things we can’t control, but many things we can. It just takes a little FOCUS. Read on to learn how you can leverage your awareness and ability to FOCUS. FOCUSING can help you succeed in many contexts: focusing your New Year’s … Read More
Top 3 lists from Andrea and Talk About Talk, including the top 3 Talk About Talk podcast episodes and newsletters, Andrea’s favorite podcasts, plus communication insights from 2020 and focus areas for 2021. Printable shownotes with links: https://talkabouttalk.com/podcasts/#shownotes CONTENTS • Summary & Resources • Transcript SUMMARY & RESOURCES Top 3 most downloaded Talk About Talk … Read More
Step-it-up in online meetings – A few weeks ago I was participating in an online meeting, actually a “Communicating with Confidence” presentation to an organization via Zoom. During the Q&A at the end, a young, ambitious manager asked me, “As a junior person who isn’t leading meetings, I have limited opportunities to be heard in online … Read More
This week we’re talking CORPORATE CULTURE. “Culture” is relevant for all kinds of leaders, whether you manage a project team, you coach a sports team, or you’re a c-suite executive. Now might be the ideal time to build a strong culture – yes, even with physical distancing limitations and WFH. This is an opportunity that’s being handed to you “on … Read More
ONLINE MEETINGS Online meetings as in “remote meetings,” “Zoom meetings,” “virtual meetings”… Remember this? ? image: Unsplash @ febrianzakaria Questions for you: Have YOU ever “multi-tasked” when you were supposed to be focused during an online meeting? Checked your email or social media? Do you ever wonder whether the people with their cameras turned off in online … Read More
Here’s a list of 10 things you can do to COMMUNICATE YOUR PERSONAL BRAND ONLINE. (image: Unsplash @ samish_18) Let’s do this! 10 Ways to Communicate Your Personal Brand ONLINE! FIRST – KNOW YOUR PERSONAL BRAND Personal branding is a popular term these days. But identifying your unique personal brand can be overwhelming. … Read More
Step by step instructions on how to optimize your LinkedIn profile. Volterra founder Andrew Jenkins shares how to use LinkedIn for creating your personal brand, networking, thought leadership, marketing, and job-searching. Printable shownotes: https://talkabouttalk.com/podcasts/#shownotes CONTENTS SUMMARY REFERENCES ANDREA’s INTRODUCTION TRANSCRIPT ANDREA’s CONCLUSION HOW TO OPTIMIZE YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE Section-by-Section LINKEDIN PROFILE GENERAL ADVICE Consider your … Read More
On SMALL TALK – online & IRL! Recently I read a comment about making SMALL TALK on Zoom calls. Interesting, right? Video-conferencing has become so normalized that phenomena like small talk applies. The SMALL TALK advice and insights below apply whether you’re communicating online or IRL. Read on to learn: What is Small Talk? 5 … Read More
Storytelling is a superpower. Influencer and speaker Bobby Umar shares how storytelling can elevate your personal brand and your identity as a thought leader. For marketers, storytelling is a powerful tool to facilitate consumers’ resonance with brands. Printable shownotes: https://talkabouttalk.com/podcasts/#shownotes CONTENTS SUMMARY REFERENCES ANDREA’s INTRODUCTION TRANSCRIPT ANDREA’s CONCLUSION Summary: THE POWER OF STORYTELLING STORYTELLING IS … Read More
Zoom Skills: How to improve your VIDEO-CONFERENCING skills. How are your video-conferencing / Zoom skills? (image Unsplash @ visuals) Since COVID-19 was declared a world-wide pandemic in March 2020, Zoom has become: one of the most downloaded apps one of the fastest growing companies part of our common vocabulary, a generic term for video-conferencing in … Read More
This week we focus on two specific leadership contexts, CRISIS LEADERSHIP and leading VIRTUAL TEAMS. How’s that for timely? Whether you’re managing a corporation, leading a project, coaching a sports team, or parenting your children, chances are you can improve your leadership effectiveness. ? The Podcast: CRISIS LEADERSHIP & VIRTUAL TEAMS Executive coach Heather Stark is back to … Read More
Are you leading a virtual team? Learn how to lead a virtual team and excel in a crisis. During a crisis, everything is magnified, including leadership skills. Executive coach Heather Stark shares her “5C’s of creating a virtual culture” framework to help leaders navigate and excel in the new normal. (This is part 2 of … Read More
This week it’s all about LEADERSHIP. My Dad always had a sign on his desk that said, “LEAD, FOLLOW or GET OUT OF THE WAY.” It’s not quite clear who said this first, but we all need to know our role, right? If you ever play the role of LEADER, this blog is for you. … Read More
Effective leaders are effective communicators. Executive coach Heather Stark shares how to improve our communication skills and why leaders need to be good listeners, authentic, proactive, inclusive, intentional and mindful. CONTENTS Summary References & Links Andrea’s Introduction Interview Transcript Andrea’s Conclusion SUMMARY: Communication Skills for Effective Leadership The #1 Communication Skill: Effective Leaders are Great … Read More
Competition, or rivalry over resources, encourages us to strive and excel. Meet open source strategy expert Dr. Mekki MacAulay, who encourages us to create value by adopting an inclusive, transparent, open source mindset. According to Mekki: “90% of the equation is collaboration, helping, and communicating effectively.”
This week we’re moving on from EMOTIONS and NEGOTIATIONS to COMPETITION and Open Source Strategy! Read on to learn about: Podcast #51 – COMPETITION with open source strategy expert Dr. Mekki MacAulay (Un)Healthy Competition – and what to do about it! Open Source Strategy 101 – your primer! You can skim this blog or click … Read More
Negotiation. It’s something we all do, be it negotiating our salaries, a sales price, or our childrens’ bedtimes! Read on for: 5 little-known negotiation tips 3 master negotiators negotiating quotes from familiar names Let’s do this! 5 LITTLE-KNOWN NEGOTIATION TIPS 1️⃣ Don’t Be Selfish! It’s certainly advisable to come prepared to a negotiation knowing what you want and … Read More
Are you good at networking? Executive recruiter Sharon Mah-Gin shares her advice on how to be a better networker, including why it’s critical to attend events, how to thrive at small talk, how to leverage LinkedIn, and the ideal networking mindset. CONTENTS Summary References & Links Andrea’s Introduction Interview Transcript Andrea’s Conclusion SUMMARY: NETWORKING MINDSET … Read More
Do you know how to be a good networker? I remember when I was in business school, I kept hearing how we all need to become a “good networker.“ What exactly does that mean? Coincidentally, my personal New Years resolution for 2020 is to “get out there with real people in real life.” Apparently, that … Read More
This week we focus on TELLING OUR STORY – as in writing fiction and non-fiction, the power of metaphors, talking to the media, and why we all need a personal 60-second infomercial! Let’s do this! ? This Week’s Podcast: TELLING YOUR STORY I just released this week’s ?podcast, focused on TELLING YOUR STORY with best-selling author, consultant and … Read More
Do you know how to tell your story effectively? The story you tell could be at work in conversation with your boss, in a job interview, or perhaps you seek to write a novel? Best-selling author and legal veteran Norman Bacal shares how stories are impactful because they connect us through our emotions and life … Read More
Listen here… I hope you had a good week. Did you have a chance to INTRODUCE anyone – using the skills we learned about last week? This week’s newsletter theme and ?podcast is on LISTENING. I can’t wait to introduce you to our guest expert – author, consultant, and legal veteran Norman Bacal. But before we get … Read More
Listen, as Norman Bacal, author, consultant, and 35 year legal veteran, shares his insights and stories about how active listening can help you not only learn, but also improve your relationships with co-workers, clients, family, and friends. You will learn strategies for active listening, including the ideal mindset for listening, what to project, how narcissists are … Read More
An INTRODUCTION to the New Year! Did you have a restful break? Are you feeling inspired about 2020? I am so excited about 2020. ? My plan is to continue to focus on upping our COMMUNICATION SKILLS with: weekly email newsletters, bi-weekly podcast episodes, some new things that you will be the the first to hear about though this email blog! … Read More
This week we’re talking about a topic that was suggested by several of you: “How to Deal with Difficult People.” You know – the difficult ones, the grumpy guy, the trolls, the “NO man,” the toxic-types… You can skim this short email or click the links to learn more. Let’s do this… ? The Podcast: “How to … Read More
Working with difficult or negative people can be stressful. Learn reasons why people act so negatively and what you can do about it. Human Resources expert Tamara Finlay suggests diagnosing the issue using the SCARF model, then shares specific Do’s and Do-Not’s, depending on whether it is your peer, your subordinate or your boss. ?Printable … Read More
This week we’re talking about which Communication Media we should employ. If you’ve listened to the Talk About Talk podcasts, you know that I ask every guest expert 5 Rapid Fire Qs, including “what is your go-to communication medium for personal conversations?” The answers vary widely – from face-to-face, to phone, to text, and more. … Read More
Do you know when to use the phone or email? What about text, social media, and face-to-face meetings? How do you feel when you hear the phone ring? In this podcast episode, HR expert Tamara Finlay shares advice and frameworks to help you choose the ideal communication media or platform to optimize your communication. Link … Read More
Hello!!! Last week we tackled a rather negative, but very important topic: how to give negative feedback…. (NOT like this!) This week, we tackle another topic that Talk About Talk listeners suggested: How to conquer your EMAIL INBOX! You can skim this short email or click the links to learn more! Let’s do this…. ?PODCAST EPISODE … Read More
How many emails do you have in your inbox? Need some tips on how to conquer your email inbox? You can increase your productivity and reduce your email anxiety by doing three things: (1.) making behavioral changes; (2.) employing technology hacks; and (3.) effectively managing our sent mail! The first thing to do is to … Read More
This week we focus on negative or constructive feedback – “softening the blow,” as they say. You can skim this short blog or click the links to learn more! Let’s do this…. ?PODCAST EPISODE #31: HOW TO GIVE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK You ASKED for it … One of the most common Qs that I receive is, “how can … Read More
Giving negative feedback is challenging and stressful. You will learn the mindsets, do’s & don’ts, and frameworks to help you give negative feedback effectively. Be constructive. Don’t make it a surprise, don’t joke around, don’t threaten the person. Be empathetic (compliment in public, criticize in private), be objective and professional, and LISTEN. Make sure that … Read More
I hope you enjoyed the 3-episode ?Talk About Talk series focused on on SELF-TALK! In case you haven’t had a chance to listen to all of them, here they are: #25: BUILDING RESILIENCE with Tosca Reno #26: SELF-TALK & MINDSETS with yours truly #27: POSITIVE SELF-TALK & the 3Es of WELLNESS with Tosca Reno Thanks again to Tosca Reno for sharing her … Read More
Communication is a critical skill for effective change management, whether you’re leading change for an organization, a department, or for your family. Professor Ellen Auster shares five common mistakes and 6 success principles for effective change communication, including embracing the politics, collective visioning, using mantras, building change fitness and focusing on relationships. SHOWNOTES Contents Key … Read More
This week we Talk About BRANDS (your personal brand, brand management frameworks & the top brands!) ?FIRST – THE PODCAST For this week’s podcast, I had the privilege of interviewing CEO and team performance expert Michael Boydell. Sounds intimidating, right? But Michael is very down-to-earth and honest–AUTHENTIC. He describes several exercises that anyone can run through … Read More
Are you actively managing your professional and personal brand? Can brand management frameworks help us manage our own careers? CEO & team performance expert Michael Boydell suggests we start with a blank sheet of paper. If it feels uncomfortable, we’re on the right track! Ask yourself: Where & with whom am I most joyful? What … Read More
