Optimism

Posted on | November 9, 2009 | 1 Comment

I’m reading two different books; one is about being a better leader and the other is about being who you are. Both claim to have the secret to a happy and rewarding life and I am enjoying the read. Both books are extremely optimistic and it’s worth taking a look at the direction each is taking toward eternal happiness.

The first book, which is about being a better leader, is packed with inspirational encouragement and I think the author would have made a great high school basketball coach. The second book, about being who you are, asks the reader not to be taken in by the basketball coach approach, but rather encourages the reader to look inward for what inspires and then create your world.

Taken together, I think the books describe motivation.

I was inspired by the optimism in both books, so I went out on the internet to read about optimism. In doing so, found a few quotes I thought I would share with you:

This one, by Robert Brault, made me think:

“The average pencil is seven inches long, with just a half-inch eraser – in case you thought optimism was dead.”

This one, by Muhammed Ali, made me laugh:

“If they can make penicillin out of moldy bread, they can sure make something out of you.”

Others I enjoyed:

“I’ve got my faults, but living in the past isn’t one of them. There’s no future in it.” (Sparky Anderson)

“An optimist is the human personification of spring” (Susan J. Bissonette)

“If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought.” (Peace Pilgrim)

“Don’t wait. The time will never be just right”. (Napoleon Hill)

And this one is my favorite:

“If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance.” (Anonymous)

Do You Do This?

Posted on | November 2, 2009 | No Comments

Last week I suggested we take a lesson from Bill Gates – slow down and think, or consider before we act. This advice reminds me of two phone calls I’ve had with service providers– one recently and one several years ago. After both calls I found myself wishing the person lived closer to me so we could have lunch and continue our conversation!

I’ve made a lot of phone calls to service providers in my life, so why do I remember these two calls? I remember them because the customer service representatives knew how to reach out and connect with me; both were up-beat, to the point and engaging – even while dealing with a pretty tough question!

I’m guessing you have had the same experience, so ask yourself, “what skills did the customer service representative employ to make the call so successful”? Do you do the same in your interactions with your team or your customers? If not, could you? We all possess skills that sometimes get lost in the heat of the moment; skills we have learned along our professional path that hold the key to positive engagement. Are you using these skills? Are you growing them, stretching them to develop your skills as a leader?

Sure, I agree that some people seem to be naturals; they engage people and always seem to know what to say, when to say it and how to say it. But chances are they have worked to learn and apply these skills to be a good leader. You can too.

Do the Bill Gates thing – think about it.

Category: Paula Pace, leadership
Tags: executive development > Interpersonal Skills > leadership > leadership skills > management > management training > paula pace

Wing It or Write It?

Posted on | October 28, 2009 | No Comments

In my classes, at least one participant will approach me during the first break to tell me he or she just can’t write a presentation; rather they wing it, or they speak off the cuff. Some go so far as to say they are always successful with this. But in my classes, no one gets to wing it, and after several presentations, those who previously relied on their ability to wing it admit that preparation and writing enabled them to give a better, more powerful presentation.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, are those participants who have to gather up every ounce of courage just to walk through the door on the first day of class. At its conclusion, they tell me the process of preparing and writing their presentation alleviated their anxiety in a way they never thought possible.

It is fair to say that preparing and writing a speech is at least 50% of the equation. The other 50% is delivering it.

Category: Paula Pace, leadership, presentation
Tags: leadership skills > management > management training > paula pace > public speaking > speaking

Think About It

Posted on | October 26, 2009 | No Comments

Before you begin to write your presentation, take time to think about it. Jot down ideas and consider how you might present them in ways the audience can grasp their meaning. What experiences have you had that will add to the excitement or deepen the meaning of your information. If your purpose is to persuade, why should your audience comply? When you come up with a good idea, think about it awhile – add supporting information; build it. Then set it aside and try to come up with a better idea, a novel approach and engaging story.

You may think this process a luxury for which you don’t have the time and that may be true. Not all presentations are opportunities to change the world; but for those that might, take the time needed to make it count.

Category: Paula Pace, leadership, presentation
Tags: executive development > leadership > leadership skills > management > management training > paula pace > presentation skills > public speaking > speaking

Breathe!

Posted on | October 20, 2009 | No Comments

This morning, as I was perusing the internet for tidbits of important information I cannot live without, I found 25 health tips offered up by Dr. Oz, a cardiothoracic surgeon, author and familiar face on TV. In the midst of reminders to go green (tea), eat breakfast, sleep and choose colorful veggies, I found reason to support one of the key pieces of advice I give to participants in my Effective Presentation Skills class.

The advice I give is to breathe! Such a simple thing, but so important! Dr. Oz provides the reasoning behind this advice:

“Do this (deep breathing) anywhere, anytime. Push out your bellows and suck air through your nose until your lungs are full. They’ll fill with nitric oxide, a chemical found in the back of your nose that opens up blood vessels. The dose of oxygen will make you feel happier and more alert. This is my secret technique for calming down before a show or a tough stitch in the OR.”

Breathing is important to good presentation. Take deep breaths before, during and after you present. Before you walk out onto the stage, fill your lungs as if you were taking a plunge into cold water (which in a way is an apt metaphor). Slowly release the air. Repeat this breathing pattern several times, slowing down until you feel a sense of calm and control. Continue to breathe during your presentation, and after you walk off the stage take a few more deep breaths.

Most participants in my classes agree this is good advice and follow it; some let it pass as a minor suggestion, but the consequences of not enough rich oxygen feeding your brain should not be ignored. Think back – if you’ve ever stood in front of an audience and experienced a light-headed anxiety followed by forgetting what you were going to say, perhaps you needed more oxygen. I speak from experience; it has happened to me and it doesn’t feel good! If this happens to you in the future, take a few moments to refer to your notes or ask the audience to look at the handout you provided; whatever you do, give yourself time to take a few deep breaths. Both your balance and your presentation should return.

Deep breathing isn’t important just for stand-up presentations in front of a large audience; it can also be used before you speak in weekly meetings, to your team and during conflict conversations.