Good news + 3 solid tips on presenting with influence
Edition # 16
In this edition: *drum rolls* The new website is up! | 3 tips on levelling up your influence | Tip of the week: One thing you can do to amplify your influence | Resource of the week: Ultimate guides to audience analysis and articulation
Hey Reader
I am going to start today's newsletter with some good news!
I have been working on this for a while and I am super duper excited to present to you the spankin new website of Soft Skills Studio:
It's got all the info about my latest services, all the previous newsletters and about 350 blog posts from the last 9 years. That's a lot of free content on communication and soft skills.
Go ahead and look around! If you find something that doesn't work, do hit reply and lemme know. We've done our best to work out all the kinks before rolling it out.
And if you loved something, do hit reply and tell me about that too!
Looking forward to your responses!
And now to business of the day:
3 presentation secrets that can power up your influence at work
Tip #1: Focus on your audience
We often focus on what we want to say. And not what the audience wants to hear.
One of the best ways to add to your influence is to think about them first.
What do they want to hear? What do they already know? How can you make your message simple and memorable for them?
Once you win your audience, you will have successfully influenced them
Check out the list of parameters in the resource section below
Tip # 2: Articulate like a human
What I mean is - make sure that you talk to people, converse with them.
Don't deliver a monologue - something a lot of senior managers I coach are guilty of.
Learn the nuances of voice, tone, pitch and enunciation. Research shows that we register tone before words.
And working on your voice is one of the best ways to exert influence on your stake holders and co-workers.
Check out the complete guide to articulation in the resource section below
Tip #3: De-prioritise slides
I can't tell you the enormous difference it makes to put yourself first in a presentation.
No one wants to be staring at slides loaded with text while trying to listen to you.
The human brain cannot focus completely on 2 things at the same time. And with text in front of their eyes, they are bound to prioritise that rather than listening to you.
Here's how you can add influence through your presence:
- Start with a hook. Ask a question. Share a startling stat
- Tell stories. A 2-line context is enough to grab atention
- Summarise often to make your message memorable
To sum up:
Tip #1: Focus on your audience
Tip # 2: Articulate like a human
Tip #3: De-prioritise slides
SUPER TIP OF THE WEEK
In order to amplify your influence at work, work on your personal branding. Think of 3 things that people should know you for. They could be areas of expertise or qualities. (Or both)
It could be courtesy, consistency and people skills. Or reliability, expertise and great presentations.
Once people know that can bank on you, your influence goes up naturally.
RESOURCE OF THE WEEK
Check out this list of parameters to cover when you analyse your audience
Here's a complete guide to articulation skills
SNEAK PEAK INTO NEXT WEEK
It's that time of the year when we all consider turning a new leaf through new year resolutions.
While we break the most well-intentioned promises within a week, there is always a way to keep them. And that is to plan better and put some thought into it.
Next week we will see how a coach can help you stay on track for your skills resolutions!
Stay tuned!
YOUR TURN...
What would you like to read in this newsletter? I am planning my content for the next quarter and would love to know your thoughts.
If you found this edition useful, would you consider sharing it with just one more person and ask him/her to subscribe?
Have suggestions/comments? Hit reply and send them to me!
Cheers
Suman
_______________________________
Whenever you are ready:
How to write an effective elevator pitch: Do you struggle to make a great first impression? How would you like a one-line template that'll help you introduce yourself - confidently and memorably every single time? Just 2o minutes can help you plan and write your elevator pitch!
Get into a strategy call with for free - book your slot here
For videos on communication on my YouTube Channel
For daily tips on communication and soft skills, follow me on Linkedin
Suman Kher
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