Create Your Connection

I suggest every successful communicative outcome begins with creating a connection, very similar to what any artist aims to accomplish through his/her art form. In this blog I share articles, strategies, thoughts, questions and anything else that best helps to create connections through the communication art form.

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https://www.ragan.com/guidance-for-managing-employee-relations-during-covid-19/

COVID-19 has reinforced the importance of effective change management and communication practices for any target audience. Great tips from Ragan.

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“What is strategic communications, exactly?” A CFO of a large internet company asked me this question in an interview years ago, and I was b

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Unleashing our creativity to connect in new and profound ways, requires us to break, even briefly or periodically, from our “normal” routine.

These are the rules to break if you want to be more creative

“When we relieve the constant urge to fix, mend, and complete, our work flourishes in the most unexpectedly beautiful ways.”

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Quotable – Samuel R. Delany

Find out more about the author here

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Love this by @writerswritecompany!

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Everyone Communicates, Few Connect!

Pleasant read by John C. Maxwell, and many helpful insights into what unleashes the power of communication... the art and craft of connection.

https://www.getabstract.com/en/summary/everyone-communicates-few-connect/13033

Everyone Communicates, Few Connect Free Summary by John C. Maxwell

Access a free summary of Everyone Communicates, Few Connect, by John C. Maxwell and 20,000 other business, leadership and nonfiction books o

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Strategic Storytelling

A strong brand - that being your personal brand, or the brand of your business or company - relies on the narrative of story. So, an important question to ask is “what story is being told?”

If it’s not what you intend... get strategic about your storytelling - amplify creativity, bridge your customer or audience to your story.

Strategic use of storytelling can be a powerful catalyst for change.

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Wonderful PRESENTation about the art of public speaking! Recommend this video for anyone looking to improve their communication - whether professionally or personally.

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Find out more about the author here

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100% agree. I tend to refer to the fundamental purpose as creating a connection. No matter one's "art" I feel it's important not to lose sight of this principle. Thanks for sharing!

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A communicators job: make the important, interesting.

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Find a Hero

Much research reveals communication and employee engagement is a common challenge within organizations. Here’s a great reminder to help connect and communicate more effectively… Find a Hero.

Telling a story with a “hero” has more impact than delivering raw data and PowerPoint slides. Find communication opportunities in your organization to reveal those heroes and share their stories. Use their stories to help explain company initiatives and drive business understanding. This will make it personable and help it resonate.

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Want a simple and effective way to improve the strength of your communication? Pay special attention to the verbs you choose. The power of your speech or presentation resides in your verbs.

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If you asked people today to name their top three biggest challenges whether professionally, personally or socially, it's likely at least one of them can be traced directly back to communication. I think part of these challenges can often deal with the volume of communication channels at our fingertips, lack of clarity with when and how to use them, and the paralyzing mindset that transferring information is the same as successful communication. We are transferring information with others like never before, but are we communicating effectively? Is our intended message being created and received in the most optimal way? Can we connect with our audiences better? Asking these questions is a great and simple step toward clarifying a common challenge - our communication. Communicating with such a focus and working to make those connections is what allows us to improve professionally, personally and socially. Remember, like people our communications should have a face, a personality, and a clear need to connect with someone. If we treat them like such, we'll be amazed at how our communication challenges diminish.

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How does storytelling help you connect with an audience? Storytellers consciously consider their audience, as telling a tale is inherently a relational act. Stories encompass language and imagery that are immediately grasped by audience members and provide a familiar means by which relevant information is conveyed. Thus, stories can serve as a critical connector between you and your audience.

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Public Speaking and Movement: The top thing to remember is as you move, move with PURPOSE. If you are giving two streams of information – sound and movement – that are conflicting then people can’t process the message. You have to make the two work together. #publicspeaking #speech #speechwriting #communication

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Creating a Connection

Being able to relate your own personal experiences to audience experiences is a powerful method for creating a connection. #storytelling #publicspeaking #speech #communication

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Once you connect with an audience you earn the right to give them something to consider. #speech #communication #rhetoric

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Two Simple Ways to Start Becoming a Better Communicator

Many people have a fear of public speaking. In fact, Jerry Seinfeld even famously stated “People’s number one fear is public speaking, followed by death. So most people would rather be in the casket than giving the eulogy.”

As a communication professional, (and someone who has a tremendous passion for the importance and skill of effective oratory and rhetoric) I’d like to share two stress free and simple ways that have surely helped me over the years, and that could help you as well.

In order to start becoming a better communicator and help lessen your fears, I suggest two action items:

1) Focus on listening. It’s amazing what you can learn from others by simply being an active and engaged listener.

2) Read. Dive into many articles, stories, and books. Pay attention to how the words are organized and “voiced.” Picture those printed words being spoken and envision their impact.

These are two simple every-day actions that we all do on a daily basis. By just keeping your communication repertoire in your mind when listening and reading you can be amazed at what you can learn.