Build Your Influence Repertoire with these 9 Options
We fall into any of 4 communication styles, which means, our preferences and behaviors fall into natural patterns. Depending on who we’re with, our patterns may mesh well, or not. If they fall into the same styles as us, typically listeners will comply with our patterns. Typically. But not always. And a good 70% of .. read more
The Secret to Public Speaking
When I ask audiences what the key to public speaking is, they almost always respond with “preparation”. Makes sense, right? The more you plan your message, the better you’ll be at delivering a smooth presentation. I agree with planning being a key. However, planning, in itself, does little to attract listeners to our message. For .. read more
Now is the time to enhance a priority skill
You need to have strong writing and research skills for your law practice. You also need to feel confident about your abilities to speak up. So while you take CLE’s in best practices for writing and research, consider this: What are you doing to boost your public speaking skills? If you want to make the .. read more
2013 communication
This may not be your firm’s time for planning budgets, yet as you move into December it can be a strategic time for you to both plan and practice how to communicate in the next year – regarding your relationship building, your marketing, your self-management and follow-through. Plan how to communicate? Yes. When we enter any experience with .. read more
Practice People Management
A relatively young client of mine amazes me with his ability to address and manage his employees. Recently he shared his experience handling an accountability issue. Quickly after a circumstance happened regarding broken follow-through, he addressed the employees separately and called them on their breach. A good guy with decent rapport-building skills, he did not .. read more
Tips on Speaking Up
For many of us introverts, speaking up conjures images of being red-faced, getting furled brow reactions and even regretting our actions later. Obviously we are recalling times we actually spoke up, whether in defense of ourselves or others, and the feelings associated with it. Feelings such as embarrassment, anger, frustration and even disappointment surface. That’s what happened .. read more
You can handle it
We have only so much time. And of the time we have, we prefer to do those things we enjoy or had planned. Putting the BIG rocks in first, time management experts would say. Even when they are things we don’t enjoy but need to be done. Quite often things come at us that disrupt .. read more
Lawyers take note – our biggest flaw
Everything I coach I have personally needed to develop in – and to a degree, still need. Whether that is public speaking, interpersonal performance or intrapersonal behavior. So when I speak of our biggest flaw, I definitely include myself in the assertion. We get in the way of ourselves far too often. Of all things, .. read more
Merri’s Tips – Part 9
50. Remember your manners. It seems when we are tired, worn out or challenged by things in daily life, our manners get forgotten. Recall what you learned in kindergarten about being nice, friendly and personable. 51. Choose those times when manners aren’t needed. Whether you’re being bullied or physically attacked, manners will get you no place. .. read more
Who Around You is Worthy of Good Treatment
Our weekend guests, Amanda and Aaron, will be in their 4th year at Ball State University where they each are working toward their degrees in music education. As they were reflecting on insights gleaned of late, one comment surfaced: “It’s now clear that we treat the school librarians well. They can be the ones buying .. read more
