Communication Skills Archives

How to Deliver Impactful, Engaging Hybrid Meetings

by Kelly Reeves

Conducting a hybrid meeting, one where some of those attending are in the room and others are virtual, is a lot harder than many think—and it’s quickly becoming the new norm. Focusing on a few key aspects of your delivery can help you take advantage of this new meeting mode.

by Kelly Reeves

Communication Skills, Digital Transformation, Hybrid Work, In-Person Presentations, Virtual Collaboration, Virtual Presentations

5 Ways Analytical People Can Better Communicate With “Big Picture” People

by Steve Mandel

by Steve Mandel

Collaboration Skills, Communication Skills

The Price of Poor Communication May Shock You

by Heather Muir

You’ve no doubt felt the impact of poor communication at some point in your life. What’s less clear is just how much poor communication costs. Specifically, how much does it cost the typical business? According to this first-of-its-kind 2017 report on workplace productivity, the price may shock you. Find out what it is and why getting specific is critical to making the case for training investment.

by Heather Muir

Communication Skills, Soft Skills, Training Measurement

How to Communicate to Break Through the Noise in 2018

by Ed Musselwhite, CEO

In 2018, you matter, and...it may be harder than ever to “be heard and understood.” We all want 2018 to be our “best year ever!” professionally and personally. Fortunately, this new year looks like it offers great potential for record-setting successes. Yet, this moment in time presents some serious hindrances for you, if your job description includes words like “communicate,” “lead,” “manage,” “sell,” “influence,” or “collaborate.” Here's why and what you can do to make 2018 your best year ever.

by Ed Musselwhite, CEO

Critical Thinking Skills, Influencing Skills, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills

Most Popular Skill-Building Content of 2017

by Heather Muir

As the year comes to a close, here's a look back at Mandel's most popular skill-building content of 2017. Whether trying to make a great first impression, give a persuasive presentation, or convince others to support your idea, how you communicate will be key to your success in 2018. To help you prepare, we’ve curated this list of the most downloaded skill-building content just for you.

by Heather Muir

Conversation Skills, Presentation Skills, SCIPAB, Selling Skills

How To Get Your Best Ideas Heard

by Heather Muir

A recent MIT Sloan/Deloitte study named innovation the second most important issue companies are grappling with today. Most organizations aren't lacking for ideas—the challenge is making sure the best ones get heard and funded. Unfortunately, too often, even great ideas get lost when poorly communicated. If you can't make a clear enough case for your idea, it ends up ignored, shelved, abandoned— or it may even get defeated by a weak idea, better presented. Don't let your best ideas get lost in presentation. Here's how.

by Heather Muir

Business Transformation, Conversation Skills, Critical Thinking Skills, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills

Soft Skills Help Businesses Manage Disruption & Transformation

by Heather Muir

Change. Disruption. Digital Transformation. They can wreak havoc on organizations. What can you do about it? How should training and development organizations adapt? Soft skills — even the ability to manage meetings well or to write clear and succinct emails — can reduce workplace confusion and employee frustration in the face of disruptive forces. They can help create calmer, more creative, and goal-oriented workplaces. Here's why your company's ability to do that now is more important than ever.

by Heather Muir

Business Transformation, Collaboration Skills, Soft Skills

Inspire Curiosity for Your Ideas by How You Communicate

by Heather Muir

Curiosity makes learning possible. Ultimately, it’s a powerful driver of innovation and progress. So what does it take to make colleagues, customers, and other decision-makers CURIOUS enough to want to learn more? How can you communicate in a way that inspires curiosity for your ideas, your products, and your solutions? Read this week’s blog to find out.

by Heather Muir

Critical Thinking Skills, Presentation Skills, SCIPAB

Lessons Learned From a Master Storyteller

by Brad Holst

I sat captivated, along with the rest of the audience, as General Colin Powell told a story about President Ronald Reagan and the squirrels that live around the Oval Office patio. It culminated in a potent lesson about influencing executive decision makers. It grabbed and held attention with just the right dollops of humor sprinkled throughout. It was told artfully and efficiently, in less than two minutes. Not a word wasted. I was watching a masterful storyteller at work and it was an afternoon I'll never forget. Here are the 3 storytelling lessons I learned from General Powell.

by Brad Holst

In-Person Presentations, Storytelling

Lessons Learned From Exceptional Business Communicators

by Brad Holst

What do wildly successful business people have in common? Multiple studies confirm they tend to be exceptional communicators—people who excel at moving information and insight into action. What can you learn from these communication superheroes? In all my years’ experience working in the business communication field, I’ve observed that two behaviors set exceptional communicators apart. Read this week's blog to learn what they are.

by Brad Holst

Conversation Skills, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills

6 Crucial Tips from a Public Speaking Coach

by Steve Mandel

In my 32 years of experience as a speaking coach, I’ve learned a few things that could be helpful to you as you strive to make your own ideas heard and to improve how you communicate with others—whether it’s making a sales presentation, updating stakeholders on the status of a project, or presenting to the Board of a Fortune 100 company. Here are 6 crucial tips to help you on your journey.

by Steve Mandel

In-Person Presentations, Presentation Skills, Presenting to Executives

How to Better Communicate with Executives

by Steve Mandel

In his 30-plus years as a communications coach and trainer, Steve Mandel says there are two concerns Fortune 500 executives raise again and again about how people communicate with them. He shares what those concerns are and how they directly correlate to steps you can take to become a more skilled, confident, and highly competent executive communicator.

Note to our readers: This is an edited version of a blog post originally published on April 3, 2014.

by Steve Mandel

Conversation Skills, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills, Presenting to Executives

Get Real: Why Authenticity Matters

by Kathleen Redd

Many times, when people talk or present — especially when the stakes are high or the audience is tough — they struggle to be their natural, conversational selves. They needlessly worry that who they are is not enough. The truth is, people can sense when you're being real — and when you're not. Showing up as yourself is the single best way to convey credibility and trustworthiness. Here are a few tips to help you "get real" when communicating with others.

by Kathleen Redd

Briefing Center, Conversation Skills

What Does Your Word Cloud Look Like?

by Kathleen Redd

When you’re talking to colleagues and customers, what does YOUR word cloud look like? Too often, clouds are filled with crutch words like, “ums” and “ahs” and “you knows.” The good news? People can change the shape of their word clouds using an underrated, yet powerful, communication skill: the ability to say nothing at all. Using the “power of the pause” will make you a more effective communicator. Read on to learn more.

by Kathleen Redd

Conversation Skills, Executive Presence, In-Person Presentations, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills, Presenting to Executives

When Tough Questions Attack, Here’s How to Respond

by Steve Mandel

Everyone has had to answer tough questions in their careers. Questions that challenge your ideas and opinions – perhaps even your credibility. How you respond to tough questions can make or break your relationship with listeners. Here's how to handle tough questions, while staying calm, cool, and collected.

by Steve Mandel

Briefing Center, Conversation Skills, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills

Millennials Want Feedback: What Will You Tell Them?

by David Mears

Millennials have surpassed Gen X to become the largest segment of the American workforce. Every company seeking to accelerate its performance needs to figure out how to engage and motivate this critical pool of talent. So, what is it Millennials want? And, how will you give it to them?

by David Mears

In-Person Presentations, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills

8 Ways to Take the Pain Out of Virtual Meetings

by Heather Muir

Web meetings and conference calls can be boring. Disruptive. Irritating, even. They can make you feel like you’re being deprived of time that you could be spending doing “real" work. Do they have to be unproductive and awkward? Definitely not! Here are 8 things you can do to take the pain out of your virtual meetings.

by Heather Muir

Messaging Skills, Virtual Presentations, Webcasts

3 Ways to Communicate Authentically Around the World

by Kathleen Redd

In building Mandel's global training capability, one of the most thrilling things I realized is that there are ways of communicating that transcend borders. I want to tell you about 3 “tools” in particular that were instrumental in helping me to build stronger relationships with my new colleagues and partners around the world, from Shanghai to Buenos Aires.

by Kathleen Redd

Conversation Skills, Executive Presence

Are Acronyms Hurting or Helping Your Communications?

by Brad Holst

I’ll be the first to admit that the proper use of acronyms can benefit listeners. First and foremost among the benefits is increased memorability. But, overusing acronyms unconsciously can be damaging and abusive to listeners. Here are 3 keys to using acronyms effectively in your communications. And, don't miss the fun and illuminating Mental Floss video on what many of our most-loved acronyms and initials really stand for.

by Brad Holst

Conversation Skills, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills, Selling Skills

Improve How You Communicate Next Year

by Steve Mandel

Have you ever made communication resolutions? As the New Year approaches, I always like to reflect on what I’ve done well and what I could improve next year when it comes to communicating with my colleagues, employees, and clients. You may be surprised at how much doing so can strengthen your relationships with the people around you.

by Steve Mandel

Conversation Skills, PowerPoint, Presentation Skills, Virtual Presentations, Vocal Energy

Communication Skills as a Wildlife Conservation Tool

by Steve Mandel

Can conversation and presentation skills save wild lions, zebras, and elephants? Recently, I traveled to Kenya to conduct training workshops for people who work with the wildlife conservation groups Ewaso Lions, Grevy's Zebra Trust, and Save the Elephants. These organizations focus a lot of their efforts on global education, outreach, and collaboration with governments and local people. Their ability to communicate well is essential to their success.

by Steve Mandel

Conversation Skills, Presentation Skills

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Mandel Concepts