The F Word: Why You Should Embrace It

"I am staring it the face. The F Word. It is looking at me, daring me, even to respond to it. It wants to know what I am going to do. Will I cower just like in times past? I can see a smirk curl the sides of its mouth as it figures it has already won. Like a bully on the playground, it thinks it has me beat. "Any minute now", it thinks, "she is going to run away defeated."

It is a scene from those Western movies my grandmother loved to watch. 

I am facing my opponent, at high noon, in the dusty streets with sun blaring down on us both. We expect each other to reach for our guns and draw.Then I do something that completely wipes the smug little grin from its face.

I pick up my opponent and embrace it!"

The "f" word personified here is...

VIDEO: Are Your Ready for those Holiday Conversations?

Listening Myths And Misconceptions

The biggest hindrance to improved communication skills is misplaced focus. We tend to focus on all the other people who need to make changes instead of the changes we can make.

In 1988 when Micheal Jackson released Man in the Mirror. It was a social call to consciousness. In summary, he told us we need to be the change we want to see in the world. Take a minute to listen to the chorus in the video.

"If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make that change." ~Michael Jackson <<Tweet that>>

The It's Not Personal; It's Business Lie

This post was written by Julia Winston and first appeared on Asmithblog.com

“It’s not personal. It’s just business”

Most are familiar with the line from The Godfather (1972). Many have written praising this movie for its leadership lessons. Many have written denouncing this line as a lie, a farce, and problematic. Regardless of your stance, we want to believe it is true. In this article I’ll tell you why we want to believe it, even though it isn’t true.

Listening: BRAVE Brief [Video]

Transcript

Hi everyone, it's Julia Winston your BRAVE Communication consultant here with our BRAVE Brief. 

Today's topic? 

Listening: What it is. What it isn't. And Why Should You Care

On the blog this month, I am going to be diving really in depth into the skill of listening: uncovering misconceptions, fears, and giving you the skill knowledge you need to do it better.

Why?

Because Steven Covey once said "Knowing I need to listen and knowing how is not enough. Unless I have the desire, it won't be a habit in my life" <---TWEET THAT

BRAVE Communication is about giving habits that work. So

Listening IS understanding

Listening IS NOT agreement

Why should you care?

Because your attitudes and beliefs about listening will determine your effectiveness in using the skill.

We'll dive more into it this on the blog this month!

Until next time

Aim to Live BRAVE!

60 Second BRAVE Brief: Are you a BRAVE Communicator?

This is Julia! Your BRAVE Communication consultant here with your 60 second BRAVE Brief. Today's topic: Are you a BRAVE Communicator?


Communication in its purest form is sending, receiving and interpreting messages. 

BRAVE Communication have is making deliberate, strategic choices in how you send, receive, and interpret those messages.

BRAVE Communicators have 3 distinct traits.

1. BRAVE Communicators are skilled. They learn, practice, and refine their communication techniques.

2. BRAVE Communicators use respect as the foundation for all communication activity.They say what needs to be said in a way that is respectful to themselves and to others.

3. BRAVE Communicators are change agents. Their interactions inspire people to make better choices.

I challenge you to learn a new communication skill, practice it, be respectful in how you use it and watch it ignite change in your circle of influence.

Follow me on Twitter @BraveCommLLC and like me on facebook/Bravecommunicationllc

Until next time, Live BRAVE!

#Blog4Biz Day 13: Say it proud...Your Elevator Speech

The Living BRAVE blog re-launches on Aug 1, 2013. During July, however, I accepted the #Blog4Biz daily business blogging challenge. The challenge is designed to help business owners focus on certain aspects of blogging that will expand their skill, boost creativity, and focus their message. Initially, I wasn't going to publicly share my posts, but as I started writing these posts, I saw the value in sharing...and some of this stuff is really good!  If you want to join the challenge, click here.

Today is a video challenge to write or rewrite your elevator speech. As with many of these prompts I have to do a tiny bit of research before deciding how to proceed. I did an internet search for elevators speeches. Truth be told...I have always hated the idea of elevator speeches. It is just a way for some cocky kid to tell how he is the greatest things since slice bread. Ick! Turns my stomach thinking about it. But one thing  have learned is that when you are a entrepreneur you have to do things you don't love. 

The other thing I learned is that as a entrepreneur you get to control things how things are done in your company. So since I don't like traditional elevator speeches, I have the power to change it. And that is what I am attempting to do today.

I read this article called Your Elevator Pitch Stinks: Here's How to fix It . Based on a book called The Anti-Elevator Speech, the article lays out a few points on how to create a better speech.The premise of this article...and book... is that the traditional elevator pitch is dead. Most people have been prospected in this same way so many times they tune you out at certain trigger words. 

Elevator speeches are these elusive magic things that cause many people to fret. A good one supposedly opens the doors to many pots of gold at the end of the rainbow. And a bad one, allegedly kills your business growth forever! Geez, I have to sum up everything I do in a 30secs?!?! Yikes!

The truth is we all need to be able to speak about our business in succinct terms that leaves people intrigued enough to want more. How do you that?

I have decided to try some of the tips in the "Anti-Elevator Speech" movement to tackle this challenge. But first a couple of declarations to get my head in the right space.

1. My elevator speech is uniquely mine. I make it, it doesn't make me. Since my business is all about relationships, I want to extend my brand into my elevator speech so I am consistent. If I focus on putting people first in my training and coaching, then my elevator speech has to do the same.

2. My elevator speech is truly authentic. According to communication research, if 55% of communication is body language, 7% is tone of voice, and 3% are the actual words, then I need to make sure that the message from body and my tone of voice is congruent. If it isn't, people aren't going to believe my words. In order to be congruent I have to be 100% comfortable with what I am saying. If I am not comfortable with it...my body language will tattle on me. I can only be comfortable if I believe what I am saying. I have to be honest with myself and my audience.

There! Those are the perimeters for developing my speech. Now let's give it a shot...(NOTE: I crafted this speech with a networking event audience in mind.)

My name is Julia Winston. My company is called BRAVE Communication. I help you take the difficult out of having difficult conversations. Most people dread certain conversations only because they aren't sure how do it. A carefully constructed message puts you at ease. BRAVE Communication is here to give you the confidence and compassion to say what needs to be said. I build your confidence and compassion through communications skills training, practice, and coaching. Whether you are looking for a lunch and learn, or a unique way to invest in your succession plan, I am here to support.

Ok that is attempt #1.  After 17 takes and 2 location changes, this is what felt most natural. 

What did you think? Does it say I what I do? Is it cheesy? Does it communicate confidence? Does it make you want to know more?

Word count: 665

Sneak Peek: NEW Video Feature

Hi Everyone!

This is Julia Winston your BRAVE Communication consultant here to introduce a new video feature I am adding to my blog when it relaunches Aug 1, 2013.


I'll call it a BRAVEBrief!

A BRAVEBrief is 60 second topical video packed full of information that will ignite and inspire you to raise your communication aptitude. In just ONE minute, I will challenge you, inform you, and encourage you in your interpersonal communication skills. 

You will get to know my personality and experience my approach to communication. The monthly videos will be relevant, fun, and short!


So if you like the videos share them with your friends, boss, co-workers, family.  Find me...facebook.com/Bravecommunicationllc 
on twitter @BRAVECommLLC 
and online at www.bravecommunicationllc.com 

Until next time live BRAVE!