Communication | Varga & Associates

Can we disagree better?

by maripat | Dec 1, 2023 | Communication, Engagement, Managing conflict | 0

Here’s my dream. To be able to have a healthy debate – whether it is around political or social...

Are you up for an exquisite interaction?

by maripat | Sep 20, 2023 | Communication, Digital Communication, Interpersonal Skills, Listening, Personal Development | 0

My mother raised me to be a curious, inquisitive person. I am much more comfortable finding out about another person than talking about myself – having said that, I’ve gotten rusty.
I had the opportunity to put my post pandemic introversion to the test on my recent vacation. I went on safari in Botswana with my sister. It’s one of those trips in which you are immersed in another culture and surrounded my locals and fellow international travelers – strangers.

While I have spent a lifetime talking to strangers it can be awkward and uncomfortable – and with ever-present digital channels and the isolation we experienced during the pandemic, that interpersonal communication muscle has gotten weaker. And you know the saying, “if you don’t use it, you lose it.”

Barbie and The Hero’s Journey

by maripat | Aug 6, 2023 | Communication, Presentation Skills, Storytelling | 0

As I sat in a darkened movie theatre this week with salty tub of popcorn watching Barbie – I...

Martin’s leadership, learning, and sharing journey

by maripat | May 23, 2023 | Career Development, Coaching, Communication, Employee Engagement, Influence, Leadership, Personal Development | 0

I met Martin in the test kitchen at #fgf and the first thing he said to me with a laugh was: “I...

What you highlight is worth another look

by maripat | Apr 6, 2023 | Communication, Leadership, Personal Development | 0

In the new documentary series “Pretty Baby” actress and model Brooke Shields described her quest...

Bring story-telling into your living room – build friendships and develop skills

by maripat | Mar 31, 2023 | Communication, Interpersonal Skills, Presentation Skills, Storytelling | 0

If you are a fan of The Moth Radio Hour (https://themoth.org/radio-hour) as I am, you know the...

Jumping The Gun – 5 Ways to Avoid a Communication False Start

by maripat | Mar 6, 2023 | Communication, Effective meetings, Interpersonal Skills, Presentation Skills | 0

There is always the intense excitement when you see runners in the starting blocks waiting for the gun to go off to signal the race is on. There is also the heartbreak of a runner who ‘jumps the gun’ which is also called a false start. There is absolutely an equivalent of the false start in communication and five ways to avoid it.

Personalize your Presentation with a One Sentence Story

by maripat | Dec 19, 2022 | Communication, Interpersonal Skills, Presentation Skills, Storytelling | 0

When you hear a speaker share a brief snippet from their life, you instantly feel more engaged and connected to them. “That’s just like me!” “I have kids too!” It may be a simple reference to where they grew up, a sport they played, or how many children they have. When you share a bit of your human experience with an audience, you instantly become more relatable, and in turn, the point you are trying to make is better retained. Can this be accomplished in just one sentence? YES!