For a while now, I’ve been saying that INTRODUCING YOURSELF is the most direct way to positively reinforce your personal brand. I just realized that HOW YOU DRESS may be at least as important! Here are some actionable tips to help you reinforce your personal brand through your clothing choices. Integrating Your Personal Brand Into … Read More
Do you ever stand in front of your closet wondering what on earth you should WEAR TO WORK? as3d via Canva This challenge is so common that it’s a cliché. But I would conjecture that this challenge has grown over the past several years, as it’s become more acceptable to dress down at work, even before the … Read More
https://media.blubrry.com/talkabouttalk/content.blubrry.com/talkabouttalk/_122_What_to_wear.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadWhat to wear to work? Your clothing communicates a lot about you, more than you probably think! Andrea shares what some of the research says about how we dress and others’ perception of us. Then she shares some do’s and don’ts when choosing your outfit. Here’s a question: what’s … Read More
How self-aware are you? Andrea shares the definition of self-awareness, different types of self-awareness, and how we can improve our communication effectiveness by being more self-aware. RESOURCES The 3 Point Body Language Scan Podcast Episode: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/96-3pt-body-language-scan/ Talk About Talk Website: TalkAboutTalk.com LinkedIn: Andrea and TalkAboutTalk Weekly Communication Skills Newsletter – https://talkabouttalk.com/blog/#newsletter-signup Email – Andrea@TalkAboutTalk.com
Andrea shares several suggestions that she and her clients use to adopt improved communication habits. Whether it’s a new philosophy, words you’re trying to use (or avoid), or different body language, simple tactics to cue these new habits will help you succeed. RESOURCES ATOMIC HABITS by James Clear: https://amzn.to/3IVBEo8 S.M.A.R.T. Goals: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMART_criteria … 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
Gift-giving is a highly symbolic form of communication. Gift-giving can also create a lot of stress! Whether it’s a client thank-you gift, a birthday gift, or Valentine’s day, gifts communicate things about the giver, about the giver’s beliefs about the receiver, and about the relationship between them. Gifts can reinforce important relationships, take them to … 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
Andrea talks about how to communicate your skills and credentials without sounding arrogant or conceited. Learn three strategies for how to say nice things about yourself. “Your work does not speak for itself. You also must speak for your work.” RESOURCES Dr. Andrea Wojnicki & Talk About Talk Free 20min consult – Book Andrea Website – … 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
We all have a superpower. What’s yours? Learn the two main benefits of identifying your superpower, and 5 questions to help you identify your superpower. This is a critical element of your personal brand. RESOURCES Get the “How to Identify your Superpower” WORKSHEET: https://talkabouttalk.com/superpower Dr. Andrea Wojnicki & Talk About Talk Free 20min consult – Book … 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
Here’s your checklist of 5 impactful but often overlooked ways that you can communicate and reinforce your personal brand. Of course there’s how we introduce ourselves, our social media profiles, our resume. But when was the last time you updated your voicemail greeting? Check out TalkAboutTalk.com RESOURCES Personal Brand Online course: https://talkabouttalk.com/personalbrand Gravatars … 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
Do you ever worry people might think you’re bragging? Lisa Bragg encourages us to focus on what makes you remarkable, and shares why you probably don’t need to worry about bragging. Host Andrea Wojnicki also shares 2 ways to talk about your superpowers without bragging. RESOURCES Lisa Bragg LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisabragg Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thatlisabragg Mediaface: … 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
Social media is an effective but under-leveraged tool for communicating our personal brand. Let’s get strategic and learn how. Consider 3 things: WHERE you’re engaging, HOW you’re engaging and WHAT you’re saying. Here’s your opportunity to get updated on social media from an industry expert, Andrew Jenkins, author of “Social Media Marketing for Business.” … 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
Are you a Sage Leader? Sage leaders are inclusive, they are mentally fit, and they listen. Sage leaders are exceptional communicators. Learn how to communicate as a sage leader from executive coach Angie Alexander. RESOURCES Angie Alexander LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/angie-alexander-yyc/ Instagram @sagecoachangie Clubhouse @angieayyc – weekly Mental Fitness & Sage Leadership room in the Thought Leadership Branding Club – … 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
Personal Branding is important, yet it never seems urgent. Dr. Andrea Wojnicki shares 3 specific reasons why we should all take the time and effort to develop our personal brand, plus she shares a variety of resources to help you develop your personal brand: a new online course, podcast episodes, newsletter blogs, and more. … 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
Your Personal Style provides an opportunity to communicate your Personal Brand. People often see you before they hear a word you say! Learn a technique to help you define and cultivate your Personal Style, plus a simple tip to help you decide what clothing to buy and what to leave in the store. Thank you … 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
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
Andrea interviews leadership communication expert Judith Humphrey (part 2). Learn about imposter syndrome, communication differences between men and women, effective self-promotion, the leaders’ script, when we should apologize, and what to do when your boss suggests it’s time to demonstrate leadership. This is part 2 of a two-part feature (ep. 94 & 95) on “Taking … Read More
Andrea interviews leadership communication expert Judith Humphrey. Learn about imposter syndrome, communication differences between men and women, effective self-promotion, the leaders’ script, when we should apologize, and what to do when your boss suggests you need to demonstrate leadership. This is part 1 of a two-part feature (ep. 94 & 95) on “Taking the Stage: … 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
The best of Talk About Talk, including the top 3 most downloaded podcast episodes of 2021, 3 insights we learned, and 3 communication goals for 2022. SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST RESOURCES Books & Podcast Episodes “Talk Like Ted” by Carmine Gallo #58: Communicate with CONFIDENCE – Mental Preparation #86: Introductions – How … 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
Have you been told it’s time to start “demonstrating leadership”? Learn 5 ways to communicate your leadership potential and make leadership an integral part of your personal brand. You can create thought leadership, demonstrate people leadership, you can talk leadership, and more. RESOURCES Podcast Episodes #52 – Communication Skills of Effective Leaders – with executive … 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
Introducing yourself shouldn’t be something you dread. Learn a 3-point self-introduction framework (not a script!) plus 4 general tips for introducing yourself effectively. Introducing yourself is a rare opportunity to highlight your personal brand! RESOURCES Dr. Andrea Wojnicki & Talk About Talk Website – https://talkabouttalk.com Free Newsletter – https://talkabouttalk.com/blog/#newsletter-signup Email – Andrea@TalkAboutTalk.com Free 20minconsult … 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
Strategic Principles of PERSONAL BRANDING: Before you start promoting your Personal Brand, you need to articulate what it is! Learn the 3 strategic principles of Personal Branding, plus the most common mistake that people make when crafting their Personal Brand. PRINCIPLES OF PERSONAL BRANDING RESOURCES Podcast Episodes #77 PERSONAL BRANDING: Reinforcing your Personal Brand … 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
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
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. RESOURCES Dr. Andrea Wojnicki Email – Andrea@TalkAboutTalk.com Book Andrea for a free 20min “communication skills training” consult Andrea on … 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. RESOURCES Jill Nykoliation LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillnykoliation/ … 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
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
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
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. RESOURCES … 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
