December 2010 Newsletter
Holiday Networking Lesson in Personal Connection from Jimmy Carter.
With the holiday networking season upon us, I'm reminded of a lesson I learned from Jimmy Carter on how to connect with people.
As a cub reporter 26 years ago at The Times in Gainesville, Ga., I had the opportunity to interview Carter. He had been out of the Presidency for about four years and was hosting a health care conference at Emory University.
I don't remember much about the interview. I do remember being nervous as I waited for him alone in a conference room. I remember him sitting down and answering my questions with grace and patience. He gave me the same respect than he would have given Bob Woodward. While I don't recall what my story was about, I remember that he gave me some provocative quotes.
But there is one thing that I recall vividly. After the interview, the former President didn't rush out. He started asking me questions – just general stuff about my life, where I was from, how I came to work in Gainesville, etc.
To this day, I can still see the Jimmy Carter looking me straight in the eye and listening. For those few minutes (it couldn't have been more than ten), he focused on me alone. It was like he had decided that this 23-year-old reporter was the most important person in the world to him at that moment.
I'm convinced that Jimmy Carter became President because of that ability to form a quick personal bond.
I suppose I could dismiss this as the charisma of a master politician. But I also think that the source of his charm is easy to identify and learn from.
Speechworks Introduces The Executive Speaker Workshop. Learn to Sell Ideas in a Variety of Business Settings.
The top business leaders know how to sell ideas in a variety of settings. Whether in formal presentations, conference calls, team meetings, or one-on-one meetings, they speak in a way that gets results.
Want to Network Effectively at Holiday Parties? Listen for 'Conversational Icebergs'
With the holiday party season upon us, it's time to polish up the networking skills. At your next cocktail function, try listening for "conversational icebergs."
When schmoozing, many people will hint at something they are passionate about. It may be a casual mention of a fishing trip. It might be a suggestion of a favorite book. It might be a little comment on a type of motorcycle. Those little mentions are "conversational icebergs".
Probing about the iceberg, listening, and showing genuine interest is the key to starting the relationship.
How do you recognize a Conversational Iceberg?
The key is to listen carefully for something that sounds like it might be of special interest.
Want a Video Game for Christmas?
Try One That Reduces Public Speaking Fear.
This Christmas, many young people will be hoping for videogames from Santa. But if you're an adult with a fear of public speaking, you might want to try out a videogame that can help.
The technical term for the cure is "virtual reality therapy" and it's offered in San Diego at the Virtual Reality Medical Center. The VRMC uses virtual reality to cure many types of phobias, including fear of driving, flying, and yes, public speaking, according to an article in a recent edition of Psychiatric News.
Virtual reality therapy simulates the public speaking experience with computer and video technology. Patients stand at a lectern and wear a head-mounted display that uses small video monitors and stereo headphones to simulate the public speaking experience. The patient then gives a presentation while doctors monitor heart rate, respiration, and skin temperature.
Why does this work? The best way to deal with any phobia, including a fear of public speaking, is to face the fear head on, Brenda Wiederhold, executive director of the VRMC, told Psychiatric News.
Want New eBook on "Rifle-Shot" Presentations Aims To Make the Business World a Better Place.
The business world would be a better place if all presentations were shorter. With that in mind, Speechworks has published a new eBook entitled "How to Create a Seven Minute Rifle Shot Presentation."
To Hold Your Audience, Don't Tell Everything.
"Exhaust neither the topic nor the audience."
We don't know who said it. But it's important to remember when putting together your presentation. Remember that public speaking is not the place for delivering a lot of data. It's the place for giving a few key insights and bringing those insights to life with stories and your passion.
Keeping your message tight and delivering with passion is what we teach those who attend our programs at Speechworks. Our programs focus primarily on two areas: