Communication - Personal Development - Business

Most men will not even remember reading this blog. Don’t take my word for it, read Leadership and the Sexes: Using Gender Science to Create Success in Business by Michael Gurian and Barbara Annis. Their findings are helping business communities and leadership improve communication, team development and general gender concerns.

Here are some of their findings and my solutions:
1. Men are more apt to zone out in a meeting since their brains are designed to enter a “rest state” more easily than women. My solution: Change the energy in the meeting every 6 – 8 minutes by telling a story, asking the group to write something down, share a thought with the person sitting next to them, or ask for feedback round robin style. Be creative.
2. Women will have a tendency to run off topic because their personal development has encouraged them to multitask. My solution: in the ground rules of the meeting, focus on sticking to the agenda. Any participant can bring the group back to task. Have a “parking lot” so if something is brought up off the agenda, it can be posted and considered for another meeting.

These are just two ideas of many covered. You can preorder the book on Amazon.com. This book could be used to expand negotiating skills, solve communication problems and create an expanded professional component. It is all about self-awareness and understanding gender issue, and is certainly big in corporate setting and any business environment.

I do discuss gender differences in conflict in the Toxic People book and also on the audio version of the book. I should mention too that if you sign up for my monthly newsletter on www.MarshaPetrieSue.com you would receive a download of a very cool Toxic People podcast for your iPod or MP3.
Your comments are always appreciated and I love receiving emails from you and especially the blog posts. Thanks!!

Marsha

Tags: Gender differences, ability, communicate, communications, difficult people, personal responsibility by Marsha
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When I talk to clients and potential people that want me to speak to their group, I amazed that the majority of the time, communications is the number one issue. Of recent, presentation skills comes up most frequently and this means one on one or one on many. From speaking to Generation Y to anyone in your life, getting people to buy into you message by focusing on them and not you.

I am just guessing that the Lakers and the Celtics coaches are both accessing what happened to their half time speeches that night.

It took the Boston Celtics 21 years to get back to the N.B.A. finals. On Thursday night, they waited 44 minutes just to take a lead. Once they got it, they refused to let go, and now they stand one victory away from claiming the 17th championship in franchise history. So why the big comeback in yesterdays game?

I’m guessing it was the presentation and acceptance of the “rah rah” win speech at half time. Wouldn’t you just love to be a fly on the wall to find out what was actually said in that presentation. This is why sports plays such a huge part in leadership success stories. There is a ton to be learned from Knute Rockne, to Vince Lombardi and let’s not forget Doc Rivers.

Keys to getting your message to others:

1. Focus on what they want not what you want.

2. Start with a hook. A startling statistics, meaningful quote or something of interest.

3. Keep it short and sweet by making your examples compelling and memorable.

4. Practice, Practice, Practice. The number one reason presentations are ineffective is because of the anxiety of the presenter - and the audience can always tell!

To be a great leader, you don’t have to be a sports hero - you do have to pay attention to your presentation skill. Who has been a memorable presenter in your life?

Marsha

Tags: ability, presentation skills, success by Marsha
1 Comment »

Need more information on Personal Responsibility, Leadership and Communication? Join Marsha Petrie Sue today, June 4th at 1PM Pacific Standard Time (4PM EST)
Click here to listen

This will be live from the studios of Clarissa Burt
Clarissa Burt was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on the 25th day of April 1959 After having lived and worked in Europe for the last 25 years, this “Whos’ Who” of American and International Women has recently relocated to the United States. Entrepreneur, TV/video producer, public speaker, author, writer, and entertainer her self-made success story has all the makings of a best selling novel.

Let me know what you think! Marsha

Tags: ability, difficult people by Marsha
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The last two weeks have been awful because my Apple computer, while I was on the road traveling, decided to become Toxic. It was a Microsoft Office problem - not a Apple hardware problem. I had NO Entourage email address book, had to use the mail service through my web site (pain in the butt) and other “difficult behavior” that only technology can create. My productivity was in the tubes!

The good news was I did have my iPhone - which is something everyone should have.

I took my own advice, didn’t get ticked off or mad, went to MacMedia (angels from heaven) Store and am now the proud owner of a MacBook Pro. So here was my lesson and personal development from having to read through over 500 e-mail messages that were delivered from cyberspace:

1. When the topic of the email changes, change the subject line of the email. Now how hard is that????

2. Be sure you send a copy of the email you are answering. Receiving an email that says, “Great idea. Let’s do it” means I have to search out what is being deemed “Great.” Unless of course, you only get three emails a day.

3. Cover one, maximum two topics per email. My preference is one subject. That way I can answer what I want and flag the others for follow up.

4. Don’t babble and ramble! Get to the point - and even use numbers or bullets. (Can you tell what style I am in the behavioral cycle?? MBTI - ESTJ)

5. Just like customer service rule #1 — tell me in a simple message that you are “checking” or “researching” the message so I don’t think a truck has run you down. I think the rule should be 6 hours and get out a response of some kind.

6. If the information is too complex, sensitive or personal, pick up the phone.

If you want more on perception, please check out my youtube video. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=fgPaiX7exm4

Do you have any pet peeves about email? Do you have any rules you would like people to follow? I would love to hear from you!

Marsha

Tags: ability, email, stay calm, technology by Marsha
1 Comment »

Why don’t some people just keep quiet and shut up? And I don’t mean just the difficult or toxic people. Maybe the personal development for workers should include how to sit quietly and just do their job. I was asked to give three reasons why people are motivated to communicate so here they are:

1. They want to hear their idea transferred to another person because they think it is different than anything anyone has said before. My thinking: I try to position my comments as “considerations.” Someone else has probably already thought of what ever I want to say anyway.

2. They think silence means nothing is happening in communication. My thinking: at least half of the people in the world today are slower paced. It is not right or wrong - it just is. And they need thinking time. Pay attention to how they manage communications and flex to their style.

3. They want their ideas and values to be accepted by everyone they are communicating with. My thinking: that is why communication is so dynamic. We all bring a different set of core values and perspectives when talking with someone else. Trained communicators stay open to all information, whether or not it is in perfect sync with how they think.

I, Marsha Petrie Sue, believe these three “considerations” on communications, when followed, allow me to have much better outcomes, and relationships. Whether a personal or professional relationship, I will always do my best to keep an open mind and not let personal judgments and perspectives get in the way.

It takes only three seconds to either open or close a mind. Choosing to keep an open mind is where I always want to be … not hung up with narrow-minded thinking or people! I plan to put away the duct tape, learn that silence is golden, and use personal development to become a better listener.

I am so tired of people not listening. I hope you click below and comment. I would enjoy your post and so would others!!! Thanks, Marsha

Tags: ability, difficult people, listening by Marsha
3 Comments »

I hooked myself into Donald Trump’s, The Celebrity Apprentice and was baffled last week when Piers Morgan won over Trace Adkins.

Trace seemed to be the “Good” and Piers seemed to be the “Evil.” In the boardroom with Trump, Piers made it all to clear that The Celebrity Apprentice was all about communications, business and focus. His comment was right on. Mr. Trump had specifically directed the contestants that the crown would be awarded to whomever raised the most amount of money and they would be declared the winner. It was not about being “nice” or “liked.” Piers listened to the instructions and proceeded to accomplish the assignment. And the winner is communications.

By the way, Omorosa is an idiot. Talk about poor communications and her dumb comment about Piers and getting his teeth cleaned. She had an opportunity to shine through her communications. How many opportunities have you had to stand out and just didn’t have the right words? I know I have had plenty and am constantly learning to be a better communicator and speaker. Need some guidance?

Think about American Idol. It is now down to personality not talent in my opinion. Which of the contestants do you think comes across as a self confident (not arrogant), poised, and energized person? The viewers will forgive a “pitch” problem if they have formed a connection with the singer. Was Ramiele, who was voted off, confident when interviewed. Nope. She looked and sounded terrified. Her eye contact with the camera was weak, her voice wained, and her body language was less almost fetal. When she was working with Dolly Parton (and they are about the same size), Dolly was much easier to watch because of her polished communications.

How is your communication skill? Have you developed a self help habit to constantly strengthen each interaction? It is your responsibility to focus on your own personal development. No one else will. So what is your next step?

There is no reason why everyone shouldn’t be better communicators and place themselves in the winner circle. I believe the reason is because people are too lazy to get out of their comfort zone and learn a new approach…then actually use it. As a professional speaker, this is the number one requested topic and then right along with communications is dealing with difficult people. Number ONE! Every time I keynote a meeting, people will say, “Thanks I needed that.”

Marsha

ps: Did you click on the word listen for your complimentary download?

Tags: ability, communicate, communications, listening by Marsha
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Hi and Happy Spring.

You may be Spring Cleaning this time of year, but how about Spring Cleaning your communications skills and personal development. Sometimes you spend more time on spiffing up the external environment vs. helping yourself be more successful internally. Your business will suffer if you don’t take action now. I am proud to announce that I will be presenting The CEO of YOU: Leading yourself to success on Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 9 PM Eastern Standard Time in a Teleseminar for MLMTeleclass.

During the month of April, MLMTeleclass is offering some of the very best teleconference training at no cost to you. www.mlmteleclass.com

MLMTeleclass is a coalition of carefully selected professional trainers and leaders who provide quality training via teleconference.

Below are the class titles for the month of April. Register by going to www.mlmteleclass.com, you can register for as many as you like and please feel free to pass along this invitation to your friends.

- Never Procrastinate Again
- How to Market Your Business on a Shoestring Budget
- The Art of Making Money
- No Objection Will Ever Stump You Again
- The CEO of You: Leading Yourself to Success (this would be me!)
- Double Your Business in Four Months with Joint Ventures
- Subconscious Success…Banishing Fear and Limitation for Good

P.S. Register for as many as you wish…Remember there is no cost to you.

Let me know if you have any questions. And get going on the Spring Cleaning!

Wishing you the best,

Marsha

Tags: ability by Marsha
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Happy St. Patrick’s Day and this is a great time to get all the “snakes” out of your life - just like St. Patrick did!

PLEDGE
I _____________ (your name) promise that I will identify toxic behavior, use new skills in my approach, and NEVER use excuses ever again. I have the strength and fortitude to continue to practice, even after I have failed. I am never the Toxic Person. I pledge to stay calm, and to keep my temper. I promise never to take a Toxic Person’s behavior personally or to seek retribution. I know how to keep my power by maintaining control. I create my own environment that nurtures my success. I am the master of my future, my stress level, and my own behavior.

Down load this message in a PDF document form and use it as a screen saver. You will love the graphics with this one!!

Have fun, stay safe and never let the Backstabbers, Steamrollers, Know it Alls, or other toxic behaviors and difficult people bother you! It IS all about personal responsibility.

Marsha

Tags: ability, difficult people, toxic workplace by Marsha
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Did you watch Extreme Makeover last night? This is a program I rarely watch but I was doing mindless paperwork in my office and thought - what the heck. Well, I’m glad I did.

Patrick Henry Hughes was born without sight and some real physical issues. He views his “disability” as an “ability” to do certain things better than most people. Patrick Henry has the ability to see people from the inside out, rather than judge them from the outside in.

When he said this, it was like someone slapped me in the face. I had NEVER thought of judgment in this way. Unless you are sight impaired, you judge. We all do. So here is the lesson. Pretend your eyes are closed when you meet someone. Listen to their soul speak. Become a great listener and an even better questioner. Suspend your judgments. Dig deep.

Personally I’m tired of people being so self absorbed that it is all about themselves. They mentioned on Extreme Makeover a web site that is a great one. I will also be selfish here (oh that’s right, it’s not about me) and ask you to visit my heartstrings at www.AZMagic.org.

Marsha

Tags: Uncategorized, ability, awareness, disability, positive attitude, self awareness, self talk by Marsha
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