How to stop ending your speaking turn, with “Yeah”

In my view, it is easier to start speaking, to start a presentation, to start a mission et al – than to stop speaking, stop a presentation, stop a mission.

Are you guilty of finishing an episode of speaking with “Yeah”. Or when you’re speaking and suddenly run out of ideas, do end with ‘Yeah’?

Finishing a speaking episode with “Yeah” does not project certainty.

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Analysis of Optus CEO’s response to cyber attack

First, let me acknowledge, that with last week’s cyber attack on Optus, Chief Executive Officer, Kelly Bayer-Rosmarin faced an unprecedented, extremely difficult event.

Against the benchmark of the affect, body language, speech and language of a credible, believable, self-assured CEO of a major enterprise, presenting to the media regarding a significant crisis – I scored Bayer-Rosmarin’s performance in her 23:55 minute, 23 September press conference as: 6/10.

Overall, the affect of Bayer-Rosmarin’s presentation of herself and communication of her ideas was disengaged, lacking presence and lacking customer empathy.

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Measured, believable speaking from Union Leader Alex Claassens

Leaving aside whether you agree or disagree with the industrial strike action taken by the Rail, Tram & Bus Union (RTBU) led by New South Wales Branch Secretary, Alex Claassens – here is my analysis of the first two minutes of this 31/8/22 media conference clip of the body language, voice and speaking cadence of Claassens, against the benchmark of an credible, believable, inspiring senior officer of a major trade union.

Overall, Claassens’s measured, unrushed speaking cadence combined with the energy he projected through his voice, was impressive.

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Why feedback is the essence of intelligence

‘Feedback is the axis on which your organisation’s culture turns.’

This quote, from an excellent article by David Rock – Using neuroscience to make feedback feel and work better – made me stop and think.

Other memorable quotes for me from the article include:

– Feedback is the essence of intelligence . . . allows us to develop more complex responses to the environment . . . allows us to follow a purpose.

-Typical feedback conversations are about as pleasant as a root canal.

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How top leaders welcome feedback

In her book Radical Candour, on pp. 20-21, Kim Scott (linkedin.com/in/kimm4) relays the following vignette in an interaction with Sheryl Sandberg when Scott and Sandberg both worked for Google.

‘Sheryl laughed, “When you do that thing with you hand, I feel like you’re ignoring what I’m telling you. I can see I am going to have to be really direct to get to you. You are one of the smartest people I know but saying ‘um’ so much makes you sound stupid” ++

Scott’s response to Sandberg’s statement was:

‘Now THAT got my attention.’

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7 ways to make an impact without speaking

Any time someone can see and hear you, it forms and impression and a potential for loss or gain. If you maximise the number of positive impressions you leave – you maximise your strike-rate in getting what you want.
The number of non-verbal (non-word) communication channels listed below, described by body language researcher Judee K. Burgoon, might surprise you.
In your work life speaking and listening, are you maximising the number of positive impressions you convey through these channels?
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