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And they’re off! Calling a horse race uses classic story-telling technique

Everyone loves a good story. Stories are what anchor your listeners to the main point you want them to remember. A technique that is often used to c...

Leaders who wear a name badge, pick up trash and talk plainly send an important message

Problem: New Yorkers agree that their subway system is a mess. Solution: Andy Byford, a world-renowned Mr. Fixit for troubled subways. On Octo...

Make your deficit your greatest asset

Have you ever struggled with identifying what unique qualities and characteristics you bring to the table? Have you been faced with stiff competitio...

Need to be heard? Change the channel like Malcolm Jenkins

When Philadelphia Eagle’s safety, Malcolm Jenkins, was interviewed regarding the fact that the Super Bowl Champs had been dis-invited to the Whi...

Business Presentations – Is the real story just underneath the surface?

In the world of work, we often are called upon to report project updates, milestones and progress against goals. We highlight the key statistics and p...

Why is my WERQ instructor smiling?

How to lead and influence through expression “Smiling stimulates our brain’s reward mechanisms in a way that even chocolate, a well-regarded pleas...

Lagniappe: 10 ways to say thanks this season

Lagniappe is an inspiring word. Its origins are from Louisiana Creole French and it means “a small gift or additional quantity you might give to a...

Notice: 5 ways to improve your observation skills

I do my best to take daily walks in the park near my home. This past week I happened to walk by a father with his two young children on a couple of ...

7 Ways to Share the Love on Valentines Day

Valentine’s Day is devoted to expressing love, appreciation and affection for others. Those ‘others’ do not have to be limited to romantic part...

Conversation Rules of Engagement this Holiday

We look forward to gathering with our families and friends during the holiday season and yet this year may offer interesting challenges. With the rece...

Tolerance or Acceptance: What are you communicating?

Growing up, I often heard my parents preach the importance of demonstrating tolerance for all who might be different than me – different in backgrou...

Improve your Presentations with an Actor’s Moves

When we go to the theatre and see actors on the stage communicating a story we get wrapped-up in the action and forget that the lines that are spoken ...

Ali: The Go Big or Go Home Communicator

Muhammad Ali was a triple threat. He had personality, passion and principles – an unbeatable knock out punch in any ring. I grew up in Louisvill...

Conduct Team Meetings like a Yogi

We all attend more meetings than we would like. Some are more effective than others. Many are status updates or reporting forums while others are brai...

Leadership Lessons from the Boy Scout Handbook

Sometimes what is old is new again. The Boy Scout Handbook was first published in 1910 and it has recently been used to turn around a troubled school ...

Make a business case – it TRUMPS name-calling

As I observe the insanity we currently called the Republican Presidential Debates I am amazed at how the candidates seem to miss the boat on what most...

Make Meetings Great: 11 Rock Star Principles

Another meeting? Ugh. Arrgghhhh. Most of us complain about meetings and here's why - Most meetings are not well organized, are too long and lack a ...

One thing all leaders can do to drive culture

Talk about it. organizational culture, analysis and development concept Leaders want to integrate core values, mission-critical goals and cultur...

Bryan Cranston on How to Fake It

You’ve all heard the expression, “Fake it ‘til you make it.” In essence it’s a technique to avoid the trap of a self-fulfilling prophecy rel...

Say it, Don’t Stuff It

It’s been bugging you. Something your colleague said at a meeting last week that made you feel attacked. You weren’t sure you heard it right, and ...

Donald Trump Communicates like a Reality Show Villain

As a communication professional, I try to reconcile Trump’s communication strategy as he vies for the Republican nomination. For true leaders, commu...

Wait…what?

The importance of not only hearing each other, but of actively listening - focusing, and accurately interpreting messages - in a work environment is v...

Communicating Your Strategic Plan to Employees

A robust strategic plan should have focus and clarity around company strategy, vision, mission, goals and tactics. To elevate employee engagement and ...

Get your boss to say YES!, Part 2 of 2

In Part 1 of this 2-part look at how to get a YES from your boss, we covered how to successfully lay the groundwork for approaching your boss with you...

3 things David Letterman taught us about graceful exits

I've watched David Letterman since the early days and while my attention to his show has waned in recent years, I've always appreciated his prickly, p...

Get your boss to say YES!, Part 1 of 2

As an employee, chances are you’re going to want something from your boss eventually, and you’re going to have to ask for permission or approval. ...

What does a business consultant do?

While mingling at a networking event, one of the most common questions asked is, "What do you do?" Wouldn't it be fun to be able to respond with, "I'...

Photos that prove seeing may not mean believing

Last week, working on a project at a client site, a colleague approached me excitedly and said, "So, what color do you think the dress is?" Living und...

Does Chicago communications training have an edge?

One of the most important elements of effective communication is the ability to think on your feet and adapt quickly. What better way to do that than ...

Business Consulting: Vision engagement and why it matters

If your company or organization wants to embark upon or has recently undergone a significant change, it is vital that you know how to make your employ...

Overcoming the “Ta Da” Dilemma

I recall with dread the many times I was positioned backstage or seated at a table close to the stage waiting for my name to be called to present. I c...

Connect with your audience before stepping on the stage

I recall with dread the many times I was positioned backstage or seated at a table close to the stage waiting for my name to be called to present. I c...

Catch a Breath and Captivate your Audience

Engaging an audience is a balancing act of many things. You must educate and entertain. You must have well-organized content and good delivery skills....

Professional Presence is just a Tweet Away

You are new to the organization. You are learning the ropes and trying to figure out the culture and the politics of the company you are now working f...

Bryan Cranston comes full circle: Sneaky Pete crafts a memorable acceptance speech

Bryan Cranston was at his best accepting an Emmy for Best Actor at this week's award ceremony. He crafted a perfect acceptance speech that included g...

Is it time for a Communication Face-lift?

Are you experiencing wrinkles of confusion? Have you witnessed sagging relationships? Don't panic, this may be occurring because your face has fallen ...

Resuscitate your interpersonal acumen in the digtal age

Over this past weekend, visiting with family friends, I noticed my friend David’s 10-year old son, Carter, immersed in his iPad during the entire af...

Vision Engagement: Transformative communication that puts everyone on the same page

Every organization goes through change that needs to be communicated in a comprehensive, congruent manner. Perhaps yours is * Emerging from a merg...

Leadership is a contact sport

CEO Coach, Marshall Goldsmith, recently blogged about his new model for leadership development that involves 8 steps outlined in more detail at http:/...

Are your employees engaged at work?

In Sunday's NY Times there was a featured article called Why You Hate Work By TONY SCHWARTZ and CHRISTINE PORATH MAY 30, 2014 Here are some ...

Something to Ponder by George Carlin

A colleague shared this great piece written by George Carlin which reminded me how brilliant he was and such a keen observer of the human condition. ...

Word play for logophiles

Because I love wordplay I wanted to share this amusing and clever take on creating "new" words from old. Enjoy! th The Washington Post's Mensa In...

Coaching in action at hbk

What if there was an established channel in our organizations where the senior people could learn from the junior people and the junior people could b...

What Google looks for when they hire

This past Sunday in the New York Times, Thomas Friedman featured “Part 2” of his interview with Google’s Laszlo Bock, the senior vice president ...

Become a business meeting superstar

A recent Time Magazine article, titled “Code Red” by Steven Brill, revealed how a quickly assembled group of tech gurus descended on D.C. to help ...

We are love

Last evening as I watched the opening ceremonies to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, a song was played at the end of the evening's broadcast...

Watch your tone, Missy!

“Watch your tone, Missy!” I heard that a few times growing up from my parents and I knew exactly what it meant and still cringe today thinking abo...

Increase your influence by perfecting your pitch

If they'd only ask what you thought. You have twelve ideas percolating in your head about ways to improve the business processes, but will anyone ...

Free the business strategy and mobilize people power

As a leader in an organization, you are likely to be perceived as the one with the answers. You can expect team members to look to you for direction a...

Cascading communication is key to success

What would it mean to you and your organization if your employees were well informed, clear on strategy and focused on the right things? I know we ca...

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