Did you ever notice a difference between telling your mom what you do at work & responding to a stranger who asks, “What do you do?”
When you’re telling your mom about your job responsibilities, you’re smooth as silk. That same story becomes a bit reduced in quality when telling the stranger, most likely.
How To Speak Better
The more we want a particular outcome from a situation, the worse our ability to convey our message becomes. Ironic, right?
Sometimes I call it, “Whenever there’s money in it.” These are the high-stakes situations in which you need to know how to be a persuasive speaker.
How to Remember Names & What to Do When You Don’t
How to Be a Persuasive Speaker When You Need it Most
But it’s no mystery. In previous posts, we’ve been talking about evolution and how we go into fight or flight when “there’s money in it.” Here’s a cool article from Olivia Mitchell talking about Old Brain. Here’s Paul Drury’s take on drawing a blank during an interview.
Let’s get crystal clear here. When you go to the coffee shop & ask for a coffee, as long as you have 3 dollars & 93 cents, you’re going to get your coffee.
Unless the shop is part of John Sweeney’s Suspended Coffee program, you don’t even need the 3 dollars & 93 cents. 🙂 You have no fear of the outcome. You’re going to get your coffee.
How to Improve Your Speaking Skills
I feel like we have many opportunities than are the best dealt with, the more we can persuasively speak during them. Great tips on honing that skill!
Such a solid article, packed full of helpful information. Glad to see such great content, please keep it up.
I never really thought about the differences between the situations I’m in. Yes, when delivering my presentations I’m definitely not as effective a communicator. That’s hard to admit but I’m determined to get better.
I thought being persuasive was a skill that really couldn’t be taught. That people were just born with it. But you are making some sense right here! Thank you!
Yes, most people think that. I’ve been doing this for nearly 25 years and people are still surprised at just how persuasive they can become.
Hi ITA
Thanks a lot for sharing the articles. You teach how not to think of the communication skills as assigned from birth.
Do you have special trainings online covering the mentioned themes?
The Voice Spa is the best place to start. It will teach you to be crystal clear in high-stakes situations. It’ll teach you to speak in a way that makes people follow you.
Dive in, do the homework & your life will change for the better!