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What Shakespeare knew

Well, Shakespeare knew a lot of things. But the one I’m talking about today is this—Shakespeare knew that his audiences were busy. They had a lot going on, even while they were watching his plays. They were eating and chatting, and many of them were on their feet. When they were attending plays at the ... Continue Reading

On having the Tiger King as your Zoom background…

I learned something very cool this week from Nick Morgan, a public speaking coach and the author of “Can You Hear Me?: How to Connect with People in a Virtual World.” (This book has never been more timely—I highly recommend it!)   When someone is looking at you on a video call, their brain is ... Continue Reading

Slow your roll, pundits

Wow, people are really ready to announce the new era of “We will all now work from home and attend school online, which is what we should have been doing anyway!” I’ve seen a number of articles, particularly on LinkedIn, promoting the idea that coming together to work and learn in the same place is ... Continue Reading

Sending my voice out to you.

If you’re over 30, you remember actually talking on the phone. When I was growing up, phones lived in your house and they were attached to the wall. I probably logged hundreds of hours talking to my best friend on afternoons and weekends when we couldn’t see each other, and I know I put my ... Continue Reading

A few tips to help you show up virtually (VIDEO)

Ignite coach Connan Morrissey is taking over today’s post! Connan has some tips to share on how to show up virtually! Take it away, Connan!     Ignite CSP has a brand new offering! Have you dreamed of launching your own podcast? Our first ever small group coaching experience will bring you from idea to ... Continue Reading

There are always two items on the agenda.

In business conversations, there are usually two things being managed. The first is the task that needs to be accomplished. The second is the relationship between the people who are talking. Sometimes it’s 95% task, 5% relationship, or vice versa, but there is always some proportion of task and relationship at play.   This is ... Continue Reading

What is your aim?

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know that I talk about using intention as a way to direct our communication. Intention is how you want to affect the person or people you’re speaking to, what you want the outcome to be.   Intention is active; it is directed at the experience ... Continue Reading

The “new rules” for video meetings

In my little corner of the internet, things got very heated last Wednesday afternoon when a New York Times article about “videoconference etiquette” started making the rounds. The standout pull quote warned video conferencers to keep their kids and pets from appearing on screen. Twitter was outraged– “I want to see your kids!” “Show me ... Continue Reading

What works, not what’s comfortable.

“I’m here to do what works, not what’s comfortable.”   This great quote came from Ignite coach Vivian Smith, as we prepared for our first completely virtual workshop. Even for an experienced communication expert, the prospect of taking everything you know about communicating with ease and confidence and putting it in another medium, one that ... Continue Reading