It’s natural to want to goof off at work every now and then. As long as productivity isn’t noticeably impacted, some employers don’t mind if their employees have a little fun. One popular day for businesses to get a little silly, especially media companies, is April Fools’ Day. Google and its subsidiaries are perhaps the […]
Author Archive | speakingthatconnects
Capitalizing on Verbal White Space ™
By speakingthatconnects in Blog, Leadership, Non-verbal Communication, Presentation Skills, Relationships
When I was in third grade, I competed in a writing contest. The student with the best handwriting would have the privilege of writing the class letter to the President of the United States. Seems a bit silly today in this world of technology, but this was a few decades back. I wrote like a […]
How Do You Silence A Noisy Talker?
We’ve all been annoyed by discourteous speakers at various times in our lives. Whether they talk too loud, interrupt others, or talk too long, it is often frustrating for others in their presence. In group discussions, some may feel as if their ability to contribute has been compromised. In libraries or similar work spaces, many […]
Kate Middleton’s First Speech: Simple, Sound and Safe
There is no doubt that Kate Middleton projects poise, prestige, and presence. As an international spokesperson, she needs to present authentically and with political savvy. This first speech was self-written and less than four minutes. She did little “wrong,” but from a coaching point of view, I see an opportunity for her to improve. First […]
Make Your First Impression Count
By speakingthatconnects in Blog, Courage, Listening, Networking, Non-verbal Communication, Relationships
It’s no secret that first impressions often set the tone for future social interactions. That’s why they’re so important. This holds true for both personal meetings, like a first date, and professional meetings, like a job interview. In the professional world, the first impression we most value is usually the one we make with a […]
Does it Matter if You’re Left or Right?
Humans have different personality types, and one way to differentiate them is what author Daniel Pink calls L-Directed Thinking and R-Directed Thinking. L-Directed Thinkers predominantly use the skills associated with the left side of the brain, and are thus very logical and analytical. R-Directed Thinkers predominately use the skills associated with the right side of […]
Why Communicating with Coworkers is Important
You have likely witnessed a few blunders in your professional life caused by poor communication. While these situations certainly range in severity, some seem like complete disasters. Have you ever wondered what would be the worst case scenario? Last summer, a murder suspect was mistakenly released from Ohio custody twice due to a lack of […]
The Science of Attraction
If you spent Valentine’s Day with a significant other, you should have a good idea of how he or she feels about you. But those who are not currently in relationships may not be as certain that their romantic feelings for another are being returned. For these individuals, it can be helpful to analyze the […]
Managing Your Social Media Presence as a Professional
Speaking That Connects’ primary mission is to promote speaking that creates a connection between the speaker and listener. As times change, the ways we connect with people become more numerous and diverse. With social media, for example, we need to consider a couple of questions: Are the connections being managed appropriately? And how are they […]
Non-Verbal Indicators of Discomfort
In many ways, the United States has been inching closer and closer to racial equality. But the progress hasn’t been perfect, and true equality may never be achieved (I hope this is not the case). Despite all of the regulations and legalities, there are deeper social dynamics that make it difficult to break down all […]