Joseph Riggio is The Official SelfGrowth.com Guide to "Communication Skills and Training". You can find complete information on Joseph Riggio and his products by visiting www.josephriggio.com.
Warning! You may be infected with a virus that could be lethal to your sales, your public relations and even your social life. I call it a "Verbal Virus. "
Verbal viruses are meaningless fillers that speckle our speech, distract from our message, drain our impact and annoy listeners. I call ... Views: 911
Your "SQ" is your “Speaker's Quotient.” It's a measure of your ability to communicate your ideas in an effective and memorable manner.
ANSWER YES OR NO
When you give a presentation, do you:
1) Feel as if the audience is scrutinizing you and judging your performance?
2) Compare yourself to ... Views: 953
The United States has always been a nation of immigrants and with the global economy, many of us deal with more non-native speakers of English than ever before. These relationships are valuable and to make them work we need not only good communication skills but also mutual respect.
1. ... Views: 1071
Breaking bad news to customers is not an easy task. However, when the time comes, it must be done with empathy and professionalism.
Here are five strategies for delivering the message with compassion:
1. Tell the truth. People tend to fear what they do not understand. Put the situation into ... Views: 1525
Question:
I'm curious about the spiritual concept of "evil tongue"(speaking evil of others) and its pervasiveness in our culture. Why do people become energized when they say or read something negative about someone else? What does it say about where that person is? What are the consequences ... Views: 1174
Relationships are like shoes. Sometimes they fit, and sometimes they cause annoying, painful blisters. For example, your partner doesn't call when running late; your colleague at work taps his pencil incessantly; and a neighbor trashes your yard. Sometimes you need to confront the offender and ... Views: 6477
Have you ever wondered how many words are in the dictionary? Do you know how many of them we use regularly? Have you ever noticed that some words are much better than others? (i.e. compare pretty too gorgeous) Recently I’ve been playing around with the idea that specific words can make a big ... Views: 1689
There is no doubt that we are more connected today than at any time in our history. It is possible today to be connected to hundreds and even thousands of people at a time and to constantly keep everyone in our network up to date on our activities. Today’s technology makes it possible to never ... Views: 1508
Many of my clients share that one of their biggest marketing challenges is actually connecting with enough prospects. They are doing all of this great work in their businesses, but not very many people know about their work; or at least not enough for the flow of business to be moving smoothly ... Views: 1167
Cooperation seems simple: working together toward a common goal for the benefit of all involved. But amazingly it can be quite challenging, even when we have so many successful examples all around us. Human society is based upon the concept of cooperation, but finding a balance to ensure the ... Views: 4139
While people may decide 10 things about you within 10 seconds of seeing you, it takes only 1-3 seconds to speak volumes through your handshake. Having a firm handshake is essential in the business world. It’s a key ingredient in creating a good first impression.
President and Michelle Obama ... Views: 3489
Effective communication is what gives you a voice in the world. Effective communicators can reach the highest office, as evidenced by our current sitting President of the United States. No matter what the political affiliation, most would agree he is a skilled communicator, who has the ability ... Views: 1076
You cannot become an excellent motivational speaker as fast as you would like. Becoming an excellent reputed motivational speaker may take at least two to ten years or even more. The following tips enable you to become a motivational speaker:
Get a good tutor or guide - Get the guidance from a ... Views: 1649
Communication plays a major role in any kind of relationship. However, it is one of the most misunderstood words in the English dictionary. Most people would automatically think of “communication” as talking, when actually it is not just that. It is a two-way street, where talking and listening ... Views: 1922
I believe that anything is possible, that anything you set your heart and mind to achieve, you can. And I believe that we are all born with infinite wisdom.
If we don’t get too distracted, if we don’t forget what we know and intuitively feel to be true, we will instinctively understand what to ... Views: 1733
You’ve all heard that on the highway speed kills. When you drive too fast you put yourself at greater risks of both being in an accident and suffering grave results if that accident happens.
And yet, most people speed.
Our world seems to thrive on speed: from microwave meals to sound bites to ... Views: 1057
When you want to solve some important relationship or logistics issue, you help assist help ensure your effectiveness by appropriately setting the stage for communication. Remember these guidelines while trying to solve a problem in your relationship.
1. Think about what you want to say ... Views: 1010
Use the following ten steps to replace old, ineffective arguments with an effective fair fighting session:
1. Fight to resolve an issue or solve a problem.
2. Identify the problem to be solved.
3. Take turns stating your case, using I messages.
4. Practice active listening.
5. Generate ... Views: 3165
A fool can be defined as "someone who lacks good judgment."
I`m sure you would agree that being called a fool isn`t something most would consider a complement.
So why then am I suggesting that you consider being a fool?
Actually, I`m not encouraging you to "lack good judgment" - on the ... Views: 839
Nonverbal communication is as important as verbal communication. The process of communication does not complete without its nonverbal components. In order to truly express yourself and convey the message properly to your target audience, the expressions, gestures, tone and pauses in the speech ... Views: 2973
Have you ever had a patient that sits through a whole report of findings and looks at you with the deer in the headlights look? It's obvious that they don't really understand the treatment program that has been implemented and your communication is off target.
If your patients do not have have ... Views: 1688
I love to drive, and I always have. In fact, other than in a shuttle bus or a taxi, I am seldom a passenger. I probably got this from my Dad - he always loved to drive too. And, because driving is a skill that becomes subconscious for most of us, I typically drive on auto-pilot.
Recently, ... Views: 758
In the face of this severe, take-no-prisoners economic downturn, far too many organizations are responding in knee-jerk reaction to the thought of holding all but the smallest of meetings. Training budgets are slashed. Employees hunker behind their desk, hoping that no one from HR can find them ... Views: 1219
When you listen to Americans talking you might notice that they always stress some syllables more than others. That's because in English words one syllable is always pronounced with more emphasis than the other syllables in the word. The vowel in the stressed syllable is lengthened and has a ... Views: 4217
I regularly get told by women clients that they’re not being listened to and have little or no influence in their organisation. My first question of course is, “How do you do that?” Doesn’t make me the most popular coach on the block but, hey, if my clients wanted milk sop they’d go elsewhere. ... Views: 1131
Communication is a two-way street. CLEAR communication is when another person receives the information you have just communicated in the exact same way you intended it to be received.
Yet how often do you experience misunderstanding and miscommunication as a part of your every day experience? ... Views: 4591
I’ve been thinking a lot about the economy lately. I guess everyone is, but I’m not nervous or worried. I see this as an opportunity. I believe that when the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of change is when people change. We’re at that point right now.
It’s time to ... Views: 1011
Good communication is not rocket science. It’s also not ‘painting by numbers’ where people have to learn a set of techniques. It’s not enough to learn some skills. The key to good communication is not just having good communication skills, but also having self-awareness. Why do you react and ... Views: 14534
Have you ever dealt with communication anxiety? You know, that discomfort when you feel all tongue-tied because you don’t know what to say in a given situation. It shows up differently for each person. Some feel embarrassed, some feel hot under the collar, some say it feels like they are ... Views: 2967
The scene is familiar. Two or more amazing people who are dedicated to furthering the wonderful work our nonprofit conducts are actively in conflict. It starts with a perceived slight, follows with silent anger, gradually simmers into personal jabs and eventually escalates into outright ... Views: 2047
No public speaker should ever forget this important fact!
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” You have most likely heard that quote before, and it is true. If you are a speaker who wants to be a dynamic and exceptional communicator, then you need to start ... Views: 3088
Although there is some controversy in using sign language for a child with severe verbal apraxia, I found it to be extremely useful. Some experts seem to think that non-verbal children with rely only on their signs and not be motivated to speak. In our experience that wasn't the case, using sign ... Views: 1942
Your project go-live date has changed – now what? Regardless of the reasons for the change (and let's face it, "the date has changed" usually is interpreted as "the date has slipped"), there are six steps you should take when communicating a change in your project's go-live date:
1. Consider ... Views: 3916
A class participant recently emailed me with a question: "What if you find yourself in a discussion with quite a few people at a social gathering and you have an important point to make, but feel intimated by those around you? I find I get all tongue twisted and the words do not come out the way ... Views: 2344
Have you ever walked away from a conversation with a co-worker that left you feeling anxious or upset?
Do you ever find yourself in a conversation with co-workers where everyone is complaining, but you don’t know how to exit the conversation or how to turn it into a positive one?
Do you find ... Views: 3117
Over the ensuing months we are going to cover in detail all the nuances of what I call “Assertive Communication” or being able to communicate in a much more positive and effective manner with the people In your life, whether it be work colleagues, including management, your friends, or just ... Views: 2333
Good social skills aren't restricted to having the ability to go up to a group of strangers and introduce yourself. They also include being aware of those around you and recognizing that others may need a hand meeting people or interacting with others.
This skill involves your making it easier ... Views: 1015
Is your beloved relationship honest, fulfilling and harmonious? Do you often have moments when deep love is flowing between your hearts? Do you wish for more depth, love and understanding?
Communication is a key to a good relationship. There are many books and workshops that model good ... Views: 2298
For too many years I suffered from a bad case of “approval-seeking.” I was desperate for validation from others. I never wanted to risk stating how I felt about things for fear that it would rock the boat and cause conflict.
As a result, I saw myself as a victim of others’ mistreatment or ... Views: 11532
Is there a language that mankind could develop so that we have a common form of communication? Just think of the possibilities.
But wait! Man does, indeed have a common language. The amazing and remarkable thing about this common language it and does go beyond the separate languages we now ... Views: 1058
"You need to be aware of what others are doing, applaud their efforts, acknowledge their successes, and encourage them in their pursuits. When we all help one another, everybody wins." - Jim Stovall
Encouragement is one of the easiest ways we can help out our friends. Just by noticing and ... Views: 1058
"If you want to win friends, make it a point to remember them. If you remember my name, you pay me a subtle compliment; you indicate that I have made an impression on you. Remember my name and you add to my feeling of importance." - Dale Carnegie
It's common to hear people say that they can't ... Views: 2804
It may sound surprising, but not everyone knows how to greet others. Whether you're approaching someone or someone has approached you, a greeting is an expression of pleasure in seeing them. It's an opportunity to show that they matter to you. A deliberate, friendly greeting establishes a good ... Views: 2722
"I can live for two months on a good compliment."
- Mark Twain
When you make people feel good about themselves, they're more likely to want to be in your company. Paying a compliment is a verbal gift; it’s an expression of praise, approval and encouragement that is meant to acknowledge an ... Views: 5082
As anyone who has ever made an apology knows, saying "I'm sorry" is no sign of weakness but it can take a great deal of courage. While it can be difficult to accept blame and take responsibility for our offending actions, apologizing to those who are affected by them is an essential social skill ... Views: 1706
“The less you speak, the more you will hear.” - Alexander Solzhenitsyn
Throughout our schooling, we've taken classes to learn and improve our writing and reading skills. Unfortunately, we received little encouragement to develop and refine our listening skills and, as a result, we’ve become a ... Views: 1350
What is the biggest communications challenge my clients face? The simple answer is listening. My clients struggle with listening because their heads get in the way. They grapple with ways to communicate their messages and often ask me about how to go about saying what they want to say the ... Views: 1215
Do you know a child interested in connecting better with themselves AND others? Get them improvising!
Confident interaction really is child’s play. Choice is a muscle strengthened by experience.
• Participation means choosing,
• choice presumes responsibility and surprisingly,
• kids ... Views: 2257
Want to command greater respect at work? Crystal communication transforms business success! To get your point across, recognize that powerful language articulated in a strong, clear voice is crucial to being heard.
Men and women approach the business game differently. Not surprising news. What ... Views: 1747
The Enneagram is made up of nine points on a circle, each represented by a number from one to nine. The numbers are used to keep things neutral, and a larger digit doesn't mean a more superior personality type.
The nine points represent the nine basic personality types of course, and each ... Views: 1162