4 word choices to increase your impact
Effective Communication
May 9th, 2023We use words every day to persuade, communicate, and form connections. By understanding the science behind language, we can tweak our word choices to influence people’s perceptions and attitudes. That’s why I frequently tune in to podcasts like Think Fast, Talk Smart for new insights. On a recent episode, Jonah Berger, a marketing professor at […]
read more...4 word choices to increase your impactWhat’s more important than who you know?
Effective Communication
March 27th, 2023You’ve probably been advised that the route to advancement lies not in what you know, but who. However, in my experience, what’s more important than who you know, is who knows you. Every significant career opportunity I’ve ever had has come about in part because of the public profile my thought leadership delivered. These have […]
read more...What’s more important than who you know?How to write an effective cover letter
Effective Communication and Improve your Writing
January 30th, 2023What’s the number 1 rule of persuasion? “Make it easy for people to do what you want.” A crucial corollary to that is “Craft your communication with the audience you’re trying to influence in mind.” Here’s what that means if you’re applying for a well-paid, senior level job that specifies the need for someone with […]
read more...How to write an effective cover letter“Call out” versus “invite in”
Effective Communication
January 10th, 2023I’m in awe of #GretaThunberg. It was her climate activism that first got my attention, of course. But last week her masterful smackdown of the a**hole kickboxer now arrested on human trafficking charges cemented my hero worship: Her understanding of toxic masculinity…! Her wicked sense of humour…! Her economic use of language…! “yes, please do […]
read more...“Call out” versus “invite in”Four communication lessons from Doug Ford and Jason Kenney
Effective Communication and Increase Your Impact as a Speaker and Presenter
May 12th, 2021Doug Ford’s mis-management of the COVID-19 crisis has put the Ontario premier in the crosshairs of parents, teachers, restaurant owners and frontline workers alike; it’s caused health care leaders to publicly weep in frustration. Governing effectively in uncharted pandemic territory is like leading a country in wartime: the challenges are legion and unpredictable. Addressing them […]
read more...Four communication lessons from Doug Ford and Jason KenneyReplace negative phrasing with positive imagery for more effective media interviews
Effective Communication and Master Media Engagement
September 9th, 2020Can you spot the strategic communications error in this Calgary park signage? (And do you know why it’s relevant for your next media interview?) I’m not talking about the graffiti’d objection to the ownership of wild bunnies and birds signalled by the possessive “our” — although I agree with the correction. No, I’m referring to […]
read more...Replace negative phrasing with positive imagery for more effective media interviewsClear speech advocate writes; Twitter sh*t storm erupts.
Effective Communication
May 24th, 2019These are just a few of the exchanges provoked by the Toronto Star’s recent publication of a commentary I wrote about the downside of filler phrases. Many of those who responded on Twitter took issue with my apparent ageism. (Although I referenced recent interaction with young people, I also mentioned that the habit isn’t confined to […]
read more...Clear speech advocate writes; Twitter sh*t storm erupts.Critical feedback is one key to success
Effective Communication, Improve your Writing and Increase Your Impact as a Speaker and Presenter
July 18th, 2017“Great lectures, bad hair.” Clearly, I’m no Einstein, but in the fight for my most memorable student evaluation as a university communications instructor, that comment from 1992 runs neck and neck with this one from 1998: “Puncuashun, and speling, to strick.” Translated, this means “Punctuation and spelling too strict.” (Which, I’m pretty sure, totally redeems […]
read more...Critical feedback is one key to successHow to get others to recognize your brilliance – without bragging
Effective Communication
February 21st, 2017Once upon a time it was possible to claim with confidence: Nobody likes a braggart. Now you have to qualify the statement: “unless he’s a billionaire, promising to turn the clock back to the 1950s, and Russian hackers are spreading fake news stories about his female opponent.” It was crushing for many women to be […]
read more...How to get others to recognize your brilliance – without braggingTrump’s Terrifying Communication Effectiveness
Effective Communication, Increase Your Impact as a Speaker and Presenter and Master Media Engagement
August 18th, 2016As professional communicators who advise others on how to improve their ability to connect with audiences, colleague Sarah Neville and I have watched the astonishing ascension of political neophyte and insult-machine Donald Trump with dropped jaws. Here’s our conversation about the lessons to be learned from his fearless communication style, originally published on Huffington Post. SARAH: […]
read more...Trump’s Terrifying Communication Effectiveness