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Pattern Interruption

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When giving a presentation it is important to provide variety to keep the audience interested. One example is to use a full screen visual as a pattern interruption to break up your data slides.

The above photo is from a magazine called Milk Street. Their editors go around the world to find food ideas. The caption says, “In Mumbai, men called ‘dabbawalas’ deliver 280,000 lunches a day. Just one in 6 million goes astray.” This photo would be a great option to add to a supply chain presentation.

Executive Presence Tip – Carol Keers

Presentation Checklist

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What’s your pre-flight checklist for a key communication moment?  Your airline pilot does it, your surgeon does it, and so should you. It doesn’t matter if it’s a persuasion moment, a presentation, or a comment in a meeting; being aware helps your executive presence.

Here’s a checklist one of our clients found most helpful. Before you open your mouth, check your

  • Breathing,
  • Body posture,
  • Facial expression,
  • Listen for key words others are using.
  • Based on those observations, choose your point, and then speak concisely.

Carol Keers’ Executive Presence Tip

More of Who I Am

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What if people really knew you better? I mean, if  they really understood the good person you are and your good intentions; and they knew you are doing the best you can at balancing all the challenges and demands. They knew you feel bad when you fall short.

What if others could see your “ideal self” that you aspire to be? What if they could be sympathetic to the fact that you fall short every day of being who you would like to be? What if they could be compassionate toward the impact on your fears based on your history of personal and work difficulties? What if they encouraged you when you were being more of your “ideal self”? What if people would quickly forgive you when you fall short?

We all fall short of our “ideal self”. For many of us the biggest critic is in our mirror, or in our head. There are people who do not have good intentions. However, they stopped reading this blog post already.

Better Communicating Intent

Change Masters is in the business of helping people better communicate their intent. We cannot change who people are. We can teach the communication behaviors that more accurately communicate intent. Most people have good intent. “I learned I did not have to pretend. When I am more myself, I am a better communicator” is representative of the statements that are often expressed by our clients after coaching.

Offering More Grace.

One of my personal benefits is watching so many individual clients significantly improve their impact by more accurately communicating their intent. It has expanded my ability to assume positive intent with most people I deal with. We would all like others to have more compassion, grace, and understanding of us. What if we could do that for others?

Apologizing sincerely and quickly when we make a mistake, gives others the opportunity to better understand our intent. Being open to forgiving others who make mistakes also enhances the relationship. Apologies and forgiveness do not absolve the natural consequences.  They do significantly restore the relationship.

Assume Positive Intent

My experience of coaching over several decades has proven that being kind to others, and to yourself, provides the best outcomes. Starting with positive intent toward others almost always results in a better outcome. Realizing that all of us are able to communicate at our best when we have trusting relationships.

Excellent Communication Lessons

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This Haribo ad does an excellent job of demonstrating the impact of vocal tone.

Visual and Vocal – Lesson 1

We like to think that our content is our communication. In fact, our vocal tone and body language are a major part of what others perceive when we communicate.  Vocal tone matters. You need to be choiceful. On a conference call it represents 85% of your communication. Pace your message. Over-articulating is helpful for most people. Use short sentences. Place pauses in your message for emphasis. Shorter sounds smarter.

Pattern Interruption – Lesson 2

Part of the reason this ad gets our attention is because it interrupts our expectations and causes a “pattern interruption”.  We tend to pay attention and remember the message that causes such a pattern interruption.  For example, when giving a presentation, you can use an interesting prop, do something unexpected, or tell an compelling story like an actor would.  In fact … that is what movies and plays attempt to do … surprise and intrigue you to want to hear more.  If you want people to remember what you have to say … consider where you can use pattern interruptions, and choicefully use your voice and facial expressions.