Linda’s Tips: Speaking Off the Cuff

Have you ever been asked a question by your boss and were caught off guard? Speaking off the cuff can be an art that is mastered. Practice makes perfect. The more you push past your comfort zone the better you will become at speaking off the cuff.

The tendency in responding to a question you are not expecting is to use crutch words such as: ah, um and you know. One of the best ways to respond to something that catches you off guard is to pause and collect your thoughts. After doing so and supplying your response it will center you and your thoughts. You will come across more knowledgeable and confident.

Toastmasters is a great organization to practice speaking off the cuff. You get to practice at each meeting through Table Topics. If you don’t have time to join a Toastmasters near you then have a friend or colleague fire questions at you that you are not expecting. Take a moment to pause and then respond.

You will become a pro at speaking off the cuff in no time!

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Getting your hands dirty

dirtyhands
In order to be an effective leader, you need to be willing to get your hands dirty. Jordan Zimmerman in his book Leading Fearlessly states “… I don’t have to master every skill; I just need to understand them.”

In leading your team, they need to know your expectations. They need to see that you are not above “getting your hands dirty” if needed to accomplish what is expected. Whatever it takes is the attitude of the top leaders. The top leader isn’t always top management.

Years ago, I worked for a CEO in a small business with 4 employees. This CEO was going through a business transition. While going through this stressful time, he hurt his back. Because I saw his vision for the company and believed in it – I sacrificed my will and put aside the attitude of “that’s not in my job description” and went to work in creating as much value as I possibly could. Still to this day, he credits me with the praise that I was the one who kept his business going.

I knew a job had to be done – the company needed my energy, devotion and loyalty. It was rewarding to put aside my pride and add deep lasting value. A true leader will recognize your sacrifice. A true leader is willing to sacrifice all to reach a goal.

You can lead today in whatever situation you are in. Put aside pride and go to work. You will be respected and more opportunities will come your way. An effective leader understands that when things are going great – it took teamwork to drive success and the leader credits the team. You have the power within you to achieve more than you every thought possible.

Lead out and on!

Head Trash

Head Trash - You can eliminate it!

Head Trash – You can eliminate it!

This past week I was networking with a gentleman that admitted he was nervous to get on stage and present to a group of donors and CEOs of major companies in the area. He mentioned that he wasn’t usually nervous to speak in front of groups that were half the size. As he was speaking I was able to change his state by telling him this was head trash.

What are you allowing in your head? You have more power than you realize in controlling your thoughts and reactions to those thoughts. Here are some keys to make certain you are eliminating head trash:

1. Not buying into negative thinking – when you start thinking that you can’t; turn that thought around to “what if” – what if is a possibility statement. Success could be on the other side of that question. My brother shared a great quote he saw “You Can If You will.”

2. Reflect on a past success – when you begin to doubt, go back into your memory bank to a success you experienced. Think about what was going on in your head and copy those feelings and emotions.

3. Take the anxiety and turn it into excitement – rather than stamping out the fear use it to power through the head trash.

We are capable of more than we realize. Just as an athlete trains to make a touchdown or win a race, it all starts in our head. Don’t let head trash stop you from achieving your goals and experiencing opportunities that could move you to the next level. Your winning edge is just a thought away.

Linda’s Tips: What is your body language saying?

What is your body saying about you? When you are conversing with others does your body language illustrate openness or is your body putting off negative closed signals? The way we use our body when trying to persuade someone to our ideas is critical to success.

As mentioned earlier, 93% of communication is non-verbal. 58% is represented by how we use our body to communicate. The way you hold your body also impacts how you view yourself. If you want to appear and FEEL more confident start watching your personal body language as you interact with others throughout your day.

You can increase your effectiveness as a leader by being aware of the non verbals you project. By being aware of what your body language is saying to others will be the key to unlock your next level to success. Are your ready to turn the key?

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Use Fear as Energy

Have you ever been afraid to do something? I have. Fear can be a de-motivating factor that can thwart potential. We can turn fear around by facing it and using it as an energy to move forward. Understanding what fear is and utilizing it’s energy to be motivated can assist in uncovering, realize and accomplishing more than we ever thought possible.

Finding inspiration from others who have conquer a fear that you have is one way to move forward with your goals and objectives. Sometimes taking a step into the dark is where progress happens – taking that leap of faith will launch you to realizing your potential.

Thanks for watching Linda’s tips. These tips will assist you in uncovering, realizing and accomplishing your potential. Sign up today for our FREE Newsletter. www.lhyatesconsulting.com

Linda’s Tips: How To Write A Speech

Do you get writer’s block when asked to write a speech? How to write a speech is one of the top questions that professionals ask. In this week’s tip Linda provides the way to be effective in speechwriting. As you write your speech keep in mind what your main point is. What is the take away you want your audience to walk away with? By implementing this tip you will become a pro before you know it when writing a speech for whatever occasion. How to write a speech will become second nature and you will be able to focus on the delivery.

Thanks for watching Linda’s tips. These tips will assist you in uncovering, realizing and accomplishing your potential. Sign up today for our FREE Newsletter. www.lhyatesconsulting.com

Quashing Self Doubt

Have you ever had a dream or a goal but self doubt held you back? I have been thinking a lot about this lately. One of my coaching clients delivered a speech on “Starve the Doubts” recently. As we working on this speech, he was struggling with self doubts about competing in an upcoming speech competition. The very topic was starting to trip him up.

I have found that when I start doubting myself that is the time to push past my comfort zone. Magic happens when you push the zone. If we let self doubt dictate how we run our business or live our life we are short changing our opportunity for success. It is in the journey that success is realize. Quash self doubt and you will be tapping into your winning edge.

The next time you start to doubt yourself – push on, push through and success will be yours.

Linda’s Tip: To Do List

Last week Linda shared a couple tips on getting a good night’s rest. One of those tips was to create a master to do list. By creating a master to do list you are creating mental space in order to think more clearly. This to do list tip has created a higher percentage of productivity and is a great time management tool. List everything out on your to do list, whether it’s in your business or personal life will allow you to methodically achieve more than you ever thought possible.

Thanks for watching Linda’s tips. These tips will assist you in uncovering, realizing and accomplishing your potential. Sign up today for our FREE Newsletter. www.lhyatesconsulting.com

Linda’s Tip: Value of a Good Night’s Rest

To keep your winning edge intact, the value of a good night’s rest is critical to your success. Whenever you have something big the next day, execute this strategy. Getting a sufficient rest will guarantee you are on top of your game. In this tip, Linda shares the secrets to getting a good night’s rest and the benefits it provides.

Thanks for watching Linda’s tips. These tips will assist you in uncovering, realizing and accomplishing your potential. Sign up today for our FREE Newsletter. www.lhyatesconsulting.com
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Linda’s Tip: Leadership Secret

Check out this week’s tip on how to increase your leadership skills. If showing up is half the battle then the other half must be to follow up. Following up will increase the value you provide and your social capital will increase. This tip will help you in both your professional and personal life. Get in the practice of following up after a meeting. Top leaders use this tool to increase their efficiency. Leadership savvy doesn’t have to be a mystery. Implementing this tip will give you the winning edge in every situation. Next time you have a meeting or conference call – follow up!

Thanks for watching Linda’s tips. These tips will assist you in uncovering, realizing and accomplishing your potential. Sign up today for our FREE Newsletter. www.lhyatesconsulting.com