Communication Skills Tip: Success is Ours

In 1990, I decided to go to graduate school. I still was undecided about the direction of my career, but Lesley College (now Lesley University) in Cambridge Massachusetts offered a program that taught aspiring educators how to integrate the creative arts into learning. Because of my background in theatre, music and writing, I thought this was a good next step. Although I struggled during the first few weeks of classes, I eventually got on board and found myself on par with my peers. It wasn't until the latter half of my program, however, when I met the most influential professor of my graduate school years--Mark Rittenberg. Mark, known best for "developing leaders through his Active Communicating methodology which draws upon the actor's discipline of engaging, creative and effective communication," has informed and inspired many of his students to follow in his footsteps. His enthusiasm for creating meaning combined with his passion for the theatre was a perfect fit for me as I began my career as a "teacher." I specifically remember him sharing a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson called Success. In this poem, Emerson touts that success is personal and in many forms. It can be a garden, a painting, a beautifully prepared meal. It can be the raising of a child, it can be the light of a new day. As we face the realities of our time, we need to dig a lot deeper to understand ourselves and what we stand for, what we strive for and what we call success. And once we determine our definition of success, we need to share it with others to encourage them to find their way. Once we all do this, we will have a new capacity to interact with each other simply because we are all much closer to our personal truth. We will be able to communicate about points of real concern, interest and collaboration. At the end of the day, there will be a greater fulfillment. This, I am sure. To be added to Lanartco's Communication Performance Tip of the Week, please connect to this link or send your email address to info@lanartco.com.

Communication Skills Tip: The Speech Whisperer

Why do you think a room full of test-taking students would be disturbed by the whispering of one of their peers? Shouldn't it be quiet enough that they can continue to focus on the work at hand? When we speak in a low voice or whisper, we surprise our listeners thereby capturing their attention. It isn't expected that you should use a low voice for the duration of your speech, but varying your voice with volume is just another way to accentuate your point. Try lowering your voice next time you are presenting an idea and see how closely people listen. To be added to Lanartco's Communication Performance Tip of the Week, please connect to this link or send your email address to info@lanartco.com.

Communication Tip: Maximizing Communication With Gestures

My first job out of graduate school was teaching English to 18-20 year-old Japanese adults living outside of Boston Massachusetts. I remember the first day when twenty some-odd people looked at me with fear and curiosity. It wasn't your ordinary English class. It took place in the auditorium where we had a big open room. They barely could peep a word of English and it was my job to bring them out of their shells through music and drama. The first thing I asked them to do was to create a physical machine with each of them playing one part in the mechanism. They were to choose a movement and repeat it until everyone was participating. The second exercise I had them do was a non-verbal role play designed to encourage them to find words they could then associate with their gestures—all with the hope they would begin on a road to confidence and self-expression. Looking back on those classes, I can say I was quite ambitious. But, I can also say that they were courageous and successful in taking that first step towards spoken English. Evidence has shown that when we use hand gestures, we help retrieve words from our brain. So next time you are lost for words, call upon your gestures to help you communicate. To be added to Lanartco's Communication Performance Tip of the Week, please connect to this link or send your email address to info@lanartco.com.

Communication Skills Tip: Reaching Far

Seems we are all doing what we can to tread water these days. I know I am. And yet I have dreams that are much bigger than my day to day. I'm sure many of you out there are tapping into new ways of thinking, deeper ways of communicating, more holistic ways of living, or more sensible ways of working. Now is the time to make the outrageous possible. Out of scarcity comes innovation. So, how can you dream a little bigger, use your strategic, creative minds, and bring your complete self to the table? I know I'm not the only one reaching in the dark and I know I won't be the only one finding the light. This will keep us all on track and interacting well. To be added to Lanartco's Communication Performance Tip of the Week, please connect to this link or send your email address to info@lanartco.com.

Communication Skills Tip: Seeing Beyond Our Own Perspectives

So many of us in the business world have taken personality test after personality test. Are you an ISTP or are you an ENTJ? What are you in the DISC profile? Each type has preferences for styles of communication, modes of reflecting and acting, and methods for personal development. In the DISC profile, I'm a D and I. High "D" people can be described as demanding, forceful, egocentric, strong willed, driving, determined, ambitious, aggressive, and pioneering. High "I" people are often characterized as convincing, magnetic, political, enthusiastic, persuasive, warm, demonstrative, trusting, and optimistic. It's a nice combination especially when finding the flow between the two. When it comes to modes of business communication, as a "D", I tend to prefer a quick email to keep me informed about the day-to-day. However, because I have strong leanings towards the "I" profile, I always enjoy meaningful conversations with my staff and aim for face-to-face dialogue for crucial or sensitive topics. When it comes to personal development, I am a fan of personality tests as one way to get closer to who we are and how we fit in to the puzzles of our lives. I do feel, however, that we all need to find our authentic selves by throwing out what we believe does not match and molding that which we believe does. And it is even more important to distinguish between the stereotypes we place on others due to assessments such as Myers Briggs and the DISC profile and the subtle ways in which they may not fit into one box . We all have our communication preferences and unique perspectives. We also all have the capability to change and as transformation is all around us, we need to pay extra attention not only to each other’s tendencies but to each others’ capacity for new ways of seeing and behaving. I see a need for us to become more heightened in our interpersonal communication awareness and more diligent in our respect for others. This will keep us all on track and interacting well. To be added to Lanartco's Communication Performance Tip of the Week, please connect to this link or send your email address to info@lanartco.com.