Communication Archives

3 Characteristics of Effective Speakers & How to Develop Them

Do you put yourself in your audience’s shoes? Do you speak about things that you don’t really have a good handle on? According to expert John C. Maxwell, effective speakers have three characteristics: They focus on connection, develop their credibility, and pursue constant learning. He explains the importance of these traits and provides practical tips on how to develop them. Read more to understand the three characteristics of effective speakers, according to John C. Maxwell.

How to Be a Great Leader: 4 Ways to Encourage Your Team

Are you struggling to connect with your employees? How can you be a great leader to them? Businesses today struggle with getting team members to do more than just their job. Teams should strive to be collaborative and experiment on their own, and the only way to do that is if leaders encourage it. Continue reading to learn how to be a great leader that fosters a healthy environment and productive relationships at work.

How to Identify Your Natural Public Speaking Strengths

Do you tend to see the best in people? Is it easy for you to open up to others, even strangers? Do you make people laugh (with you, not at you)? John C. Maxwell estimates that he’s spoken over 13,000 times throughout his career, and he shares his wisdom in his book The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication. He recommends that, as you prepare to speak, you figure out your strengths so you know how to play to them. Read on to learn about four public speaking strengths and how to determine your own.

How to Write an Effective Speech: Tips From John C. Maxwell

Do you know how to write an effective speech? When and how should you use stories and visual aids? How should transitions be structured? According to John C. Maxwell, even experienced speakers prepare extensively before speaking in front of an audience. Of course, preparation includes the actual writing of your speech. Maxwell describes several steps for turning your research and preparation into a memorable message. Continue reading for Maxwell’s expert recommendations that you can put to work for you right away.

How to Encourage Participation in a Collaborative Project

Are your employees failing to work as a team? How should you encourage participation to get the job done? While working on a team project, your first collaboration session with your team involves weighing your options and deciding upon a course of action. Leadership Is Language by L. David Marquet suggests a few ways to communicate open participation during these sessions. Discover how to encourage participation and invite honesty in the workplace.

How to Prepare for Public Speaking: 3 Steps to a Compelling Talk

When you’re preparing to give a speech, what should you do before you start to write? How can you leverage your strengths for maximum impact? Of course, preparation for public speaking entails writing your speech, but it’s more than that. In The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication, John C. Maxwell provides tips for drafting your presentation as well as a couple of steps that he recommends you take first. Keep reading to learn how to prepare for public speaking and create a strong message that’s sure to be remembered.

Leadership Is Language: Book Overview (L. David Marquet)

What’s wrong with the way most leaders speak to their teams? How can a leader encourage their employees to speak up? Leadership Is Language says that modern corporations have a problem with their employees: they’re not speaking up. This is due to outdated and discouraging language that leaders use to communicate with their teams, and it needs to be updated. Read below for a brief overview of Leadership Is Language by L. David Marquet.

The 4 Components of Active Listening for Better Conversations

Why is it important to be a great listener? What are the major components of active listening? When done right, active listening shows respect to the other person you’re engaging with. You’ll show that you care about the discussion and want to know more about what the person is saying. We’ll look at the benefits of active listening and how you can practice this essential skill in any conversation.

How to Choose a Topic for a Speech by Teaming Up With Others

Have you been asked to give a speech? Are you seeking out opportunities to improve your public speaking skills? Public speaking expert John C. Maxwell shares advice on how to choose a topic for a speech in his book The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication. He recommends that you don’t go it alone; rather, you should find a few people who will brainstorm with you. Read more to learn how to find the right people and, together, come up with winning ideas for your speech.

Why Reflection at Work Is Crucial for Project Management

What’s the importance of reflection at work? Does every project need time for regrouping? Without deliberate time for reflection, you risk getting stuck with a bad decision or missing out on valuable insights for improvement. In your post-execution collaboration session, L. David Marquet’s book Leadership Is Language advises you to celebrate the completion of an experiment and encourages reflection. We’ll discuss both of these actions in more depth.