“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
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
2020 – What a year, right? With just a few days left in 2020, I thought I’d share with you some insights and recommendations, including: the top 3 trending Talk About Talk podcast episodes the 3 most clicked-on Talk About Talk newsletters 3 key communication insights from 2020 3 things we will be focusing on … Read More
On GIVING as a means of communication – It’s the season of GIVING! Have you ever considered: GIVING = COMMUNICATING We say a lot when we give gifts, advice, compliments,… Think about the implicit communication associated with what we give, to whom, and how. Read on to learn: 5 different ways we give (beyond gift-giving) what science says about giving 3 ways to … Read More
On ASKING FOR HELP This week we focus on ASKING FOR HELP, for example when you: aren’t sure how to do something, but you know someone who has the expertise are working towards a tight deadline and you need help to get it done in time need to increase your budget – you need to … Read More
This week we focus on another aspect of our personal and professional IDENTITY: our NAME! Over the past month we’ve covered ARCHETYPES 101, ARCHETYPES & FEMALE POP STARS, and PERSONALITY. Are you getting the theme here? It’s all about IDENTITY. What does YOUR NAME say about you? Read on to learn: What your name means How our names affect us … Read More
On OPTIMISM and communicating POSITIVITY – There’s a lot to be gloomy about these days, isn’t there? As one of my kids announced this week, “2020 is the worst year ever. There’s Kobe, COVID-19, murder hornets, police brutality, looting….” (This comes from a kid who hasn’t even seen that many years!) There’s no question that our collective … 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
Recently I had the privilege of interviewing an academic researcher about an important communication-related topic: EMOTIONAL EXPRESSIONS. So I’ve got your head ? and your heart ?covered this week. Unfortunately for some people, expressing certain emotions may be taboo. But have you noticed that people (including political leaders) are slowly starting to express their emotions … Read More
Managing our emotional expressions is critical to effective communication. Emotions researcher Tatiana Astray helps us optimize our relationships and negotiation outcomes by taking responsibility for our emotional expressions. Learn about the difference between feelings and emotions, why we should express enthusiasm, how to manage negative emotions, and all about the positivity ratio. CONTENTS • Summary … Read More
You’ll be inspired after reading this blog! Read on to learn: How to rock it in ZOOM meetings Inspired COVID-19 projects undertaken by past Talk About Talk podcast guests ROCKING THE ZOOM A few of you asked me to share some ZOOM tips. Here are 5 Zoom pointers that stand out for me: 1️⃣ Use the MUTE Button … Read More
How to be SOCIAL While Physically Distant Humans need social interaction. You’ve probably heard that social support is correlated with longevity, right? Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, we all need to be social. Here are 5 ways you can be SOCIAL while physically distant: 1️⃣ Track your daily connections Every morning, update your list of the … Read More
This week we focus on the Introvert/Extravert scale. When I asked Dr. Nadine Kelly, the guest expert from last week’s podcast, “Are you an Introvert or an Extravert?”, she said, “I think a good solid mix of both. I used to think I wasn’t extraverted but I don’t think you can be a podcaster and … Read More
This week we focus on “the good news and the bad news.” Which would YOU rather hear first? Let’s do this! Which do you want to hear first? The GOOD news or the BAD news? Most people want to get the bad news out of the way. According to academic research, 78% of us prefer to hear … 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
It’s November! I hope you enjoyed the extra daylight-savings hour last weekend! ⏰ Did you have a chance to listen to last week’s podcast ?TALKING MONEY? If yes, had you had any conversations with your parents or your partner or your children about money? Thanks to guest expert Kelly Harper for sharing her advice to make … Read More
Youth mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression are common. Nicole German, founder of The Maddie Project, shares her experience and thoughtful advice to parents, family members, coaches, teachers, anyone who interacts with youth. We need to step-it-up with awareness, empathy, and advocacy. “Anything we can do is goodness.” Doing little things and doing … Read More
More on IMPROV & a Monkey Toast INVITATION… Understanding WHY We Talk How to Talk When We DISAGREE and more! You can skim this short email or click the links to learn more! Let’s do this…. ? More on IMPROV & an Invitation… Did you have a chance to listen to last week’s ?podcast: Lessons From the IMPROV Stage with improv comedians, … Read More
This week we focus on “AUTHENTICITY” (a.k.a. “the real deal,” or “not putting on airs”). Authenticity is critical for effective communication, whether we’re talking PERSONALLY or PROFESSIONALLY, managing a brand. You can skim this short email or click the links to learn more! Let’s do this…. ?PODCAST EPISODE #33: COMMUNICATING AUTHENTICITY AUTHENTICITY. It seems like a … Read More
Authenticity is important for both people and for brands. But what does it really mean to “be authentic”? Ana Serrano (CFC chief digital officer) shares her expertise on authenticity, including how the digital realm has amplified the performative nature of authenticity and how inauthentic “green-washing,” “art-washing” and “social impact washing” on behalf of brands can backfire. Printable (PDF) … Read More
Positive self-talk can make you healthier, happier, and more successful! Tosca Reno, Eat Clean founder and master wellness coach shares her advice for positive self-talk, including the Three Es of Wellness (Eat Clean, Exercise and Emotional self-care), her rituals, her mantras, and even her tattoos! SHOWNOTES Contents Key Learnings References & Links Andrea’s Commentary Interview … Read More
Here we are with the 3rd & final episode in our Talk About Talk ? series on SELF-TALK: (Self-Talk 1of3 Ep.25) – Two weeks ago, we focused on BUILDING RESILIENCE with Tosca Reno (Self-Talk 2of3 Ep.26) – Last week I summarized some research on SELF-TALK & 5 MINDSETS we should seek to adopt (Self-Talk 3of3 Ep.27) – This week, Tosca Reno is back with us, with POSITIVE SELF-TALK … Read More
I hope you had a chance to listen to episode #25: “BUILDING RESILIENCE: Sets & Reps – with Eat Clean founder & master wellness coach Tosca Reno! A few of you told me that you’ve read her books and even participated in her wellness programs. She is so inspiring, isn’t she? Well GUESS WHAT?!? Tosca … Read More
Self-Talk – we could all be more mindful. Positive self-talk can significantly affect our life satisfaction. Let’s start by adopting five positive mindsets: optimism, perseverance, self-control, focusing on relationships, and being grateful. Then, there are five things we can do right now to improve our self-talk: we can practice gratitude, we can start journaling, we … Read More
Did you have a chance to listen to episode #24“The ABCDEs of Communication” ? If not, I encourage you to do so – or, if you prefer, you might want to read about it in the LinkedIn paper I wrote. Here is your cheat-sheet again with the 5 steps: This week we kick off a 3-episode ? series on SELF-TALK. … Read More
Resilience: the capacity to recover from adversity. Meet Tosca Reno, “the woman with 9 lives,” Eat Clean founder, and master wellness coach. In this, the first in this 3-episode series on Self-Talk, Tosca takes us through the “set and reps” necessary for resilience, including seeking challenges, positive stress (or eustress), taking ownership, practicing gratitude, and … Read More
I hope you had a great week! Over the past few weeks, we have talked Supporting our Grieving Friends, Friendships, and Talking with our Doctor. This week, we talk and learn about TRUST – an absolutely imperative element of communication. Trust me! (You can skim this short email or dive in to the many links to learn … Read More
How do you know whether to trust someone? How do you communicate that you are trustworthy? Trust is imperative. If you don’t have trust, you have nothing. And that goes for both interpersonal relationships as well as for brands. Baron Manett, marketer and founder of Per Se Brand Experience shares his insights on the significance … Read More
I hope you had a great week! Based on last week’s blog & featured podcast (“FASHION & STYLE“) – Did you donate any clothing yet? Did you buy anything you will keep for >10years? In this week’s Talk About Talk email blog, we talk and learn about POSSESSIONS (our STUFF!). (You can skim this short email or … Read More
What do our possessions say about us? Award-winning marketing professor Russell Belk talks about how our possessions (including our clothing, cars, people, collections, gifts, social media pages,…) become part of our identity –or our extended self. Professor Belk highlights the significance of the sharing economy and de-materialization, cultural differences, and our evolving identities in relation … Read More
This week we Talk and Learn About CREATIVITY (including the benefits of creativity and how to experience flow) (You can skim this short email or dive in to the many links if you would like to learn more!) ?FIRST – THE CREATIVITY PODCAST This week’s podcast is a little different than previous episodes. Sure, you will LEARN … Read More
Learn about creativity: Listen as Jenn, Daryl and Lori share the benefits of being creative, including experiencing happiness and flow, slowing down and being more mindful, being more open-minded, creating something you are proud of, and travel! Learn about creativity and how creativity is a catalyst to grow and to experience life. Printable shownotes: https://talkabouttalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/SHOWNOTES-12-EXPRESSING-YOUR-CREATIVITY-with-Daryl-Aitken-Jenn-Purkis-Lori-Ryerson.pdf … Read More
Based on the storytelling podcast with Jerry Zaltman: metaphors, memes vs. GIFs, and 5 fascinating facts about stories (You can skim this email or click on one of the many LINKS to learn more!) ?FIRST – THE PODCAST For this week’s podcast, I am thrilled to introduce you to one of my favourite professors of … Read More
How’s your storytelling? In this podcast, Harvard professor & author Jerry Zaltman shares his expertise on what makes for great storytelling, the power of metaphors, and how, in addition to reading, writing and talking (yes!) can also be powerful modes of discovery. SHOWNOTES – Storytelling Contents Key Learnings References & Links Andrea’s Commentary Interview Transcript … Read More
This week we Talk About COLOUR – colour theory, trends, how we communicate with it, five fascinating facts, colour of the year, and quotes! (you can skim this blog or click on the many LINKS to learn more) ?FIRST – THE PODCAST For this week’s podcast focusing on COLOUR, I interview three talented guest experts whose careers all … Read More
What are you saying with the colours you wear? How do the colours on your walls affect you? Learn about how colours affect our moods and perceptions, our purchase decisions, and even our level of aggression. Listen as Dr. Andrea and the three experts she interviews (quilting store owner Daryl Aitken, decorator Jenn Purkis, and … 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
This week we Talk About Coaching! ?FIRST – THE PODCAST Getting an hour of Elite Camps founder Stephanie Rudnick‘s time for a podcast interview was a coup. Stephanie agreed to do the interview when our sons were practicing basketball at a high school. We looked for an open classroom in the high school, but alas, the … Read More
Good coaching means effective communication. Elite Camps founder Stephanie Rudnick shares advice about ego, consistency, managing the ups-and-downs, and playing favourites. For parents, we learn about the ill-effects of helicopter parenting and how young athletes prefer to hear about our epic fails. Whether you’re a coach, a teacher, a manager and/or a parent, Stephanie has some … Read More
WHY do people say what they say? Why do people rant about their contractor? Why do they take the time to write a restaurant review? Focusing on consumers’ word-of-mouth, Dr. Andrea shares her research and insights to help us understand the 4 main reasons why people talk. (Here’s a hint: It’s not just all about … Read More
