A PowerPhrase A Week From SpeakStrong Inc

Cool Tools to Speak Powerfully
Register for my upcoming teleseminar and learn five concrete, very cool communication tools

Would you like clear, comprehensive shortcuts to Speaking Strong?

Could you use universal formulas to say anything to anyone, anywhere?

Do you want the tools to speak on target every time?

If you ever overreact, speak up inappropriately or don't speak up at all when something needs to be said, click here to find out about my upcoming teleseminar. It will be packed full of concrete communication tools you can use immediately. Don’t miss this one.

I held a by-invitation teleconference earlier this week, and it was fabulous. They’ve already applied the tools you’ll be learning at the upcoming teleseminar - and they’ve been getting results.

I hope to see you there. There’s lots more information about it here.

By Invitation Teleseminar

I'm looking for hairstylists and others in the beauty industry for a teleconference on Speaking Strong in that industry. There will be no charge for this. We will exchange tips on how to speak to clients to draw out a clear understanding of what they want, to educate them, to get them to invest in the products they need and to keep them coming back. We then will discuss communication tips for beauty customers to use to ask for what they want from their beauty professional.

If you have knowledge or seek knowledge in this area, email me. This is tentatively scheduled for Thursday April 26th at 7PM MDT.

This Week in the World
New Articles / Pulitzer

My article page is expanding. New articles are:

Ten Tips to Speak Strong at a Trade Show

Email Mastery: A Speak Strong Approach to Effective Emails

Beyond Blame: The Dos and Don'ts of Responsibility

Pulitzer Prize winner Charlie Savage won the coveted award because, "he covered what the government does, not just what it says."

There was a day when that was the definition of political journalism. Now journalists who actually do that are so rare they stand out so much that they win Pulitzer Prizes. I hope Charlie is an inspiration to others.

Post a comment in our blog, here.

PowerPhrase of the Week
I Can Solve a Rubiks Cube in Under Three Minutes

Scott was a pleasant and helpful rep. After answering my questions he gave me his phone number by saying,

My number is 555-5555 and I can solve a rubriks cube in under 3 minutes.

In the small talk chapter of PowerPhrases I recommend providing tidbits of personal information to create a connection and toss the other person a conversational ball. Scott did just that with his disclosure. I laughed and we chatted a few minutes afterward. I hung up with my questions answered and with the feeling I had spoken to a person, not a robot. And a smart person, at that.

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Be your own advocate. PowerPhrases: The Perfect Words to Say it Right and Get the Results You Want tells you how.

Poison Phrase of the Week
I Don't Have Enough...

Like most Poison Phrases, the venom in this one depends on how it’s used.

My husband and I listened to author Lynn Twist talk about how many of us habitually complain about not having enough. When we go to bed, we complain that we didn’t get enough done. When we get up we complain that we didn’t get enough sleep. Then we complain about not enough time, not enough money, not enough thinness and on and on. Watch yourself and see if you catch yourself complaining,

- I don’t have enough…

Since Bob and I heard Lynn talk about this, we’ve been joking about having enough. “Good morning. I got enough sleep. You?” “Great. I have enough time to finish my newsletter.” It’s a playful inside joke.

Those of you who know me know that I don’t believe in pretending things are fabulous when they aren’t. But I do believe in working with what we have, and I also believe in overcoming destructive speech habits that ultimately are reflections of destructive thinking patterns. In many aspects of many of our lives, we habitually complain about what we don’t have and overlook what we do.

Losing this Poison Phrase can save you money. I refrained from making a Chadwicks order because the reality is, I have enough clothes.

Learn more about word choice in How to Use PowerPhrases.

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Ask Meryl
No Credit

Meryl,
For the last several years I've planned dozens of meetings and tradeshows for our sales department. I was solely responsible for all aspects (lodging, transportation, food, entertainment, awards, speakers, presentations, etc.) for events of over 300 people. Everyone raves about how great a job I do, but I haven’t gotten concrete recognition.

My manager supports my request for a promotion, but her manager Joe blocked it. My manager fought hard for me – and was fired.

I believe it is a personal issue, although I have always been helpful and quick to help Joe with any requests.

So, should I start looking for another job? Is rejection direction? What can I say other than pointing out the facts if this happens again?

Meryl Responds

From the way you describe it (I’ve edited the original letter down) I am inclined to think there is a personal thing going on, and you are under the direction of someone who is committed to holding you back. That's how it looks to me. The best person you can ask about this is Joe.

Where you go from here depends on your aspirations and your options. If advancement is important to you, it seems unlikely it will happen where you are. It also appears you have enough people for referrals as an event planner. If it looks like you can get a job elsewhere, it gives you leverage if you take a stand.

You can say,

Joe, I want to advance and don’t believe you support my goals. Can you support my advancement, or will I need to seek employment elsewhere for that to happen?

It all depends on how much you’re willing to risk – the more you’re willing to risk, the more you stand to gain. You may find that he isn’t willing to lose you – and if he is, chances are you never would have gotten the recognition you deserve where you are anyway.

Good luck!

Comments

PowerPhrases helps you FACE your problems with the four-step FACE formula.

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Set-up to Fail

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Indirect Negativity

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Issue 266
April 19, 2007

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