August 19, 2010How to Talk to Your Doctor radio interview

Last week I gave an interview about being assertive with your doctor. Yesterday I had a long talk with a friend who had to practice that art under very difficult circumstances. To put it in her words, “it’s hard to argue with your doctor when an ambulance  he called without informing you is waiting for you.”

How assertive should you be with your doctor? And how do you prepare for a doctor visit in order to get the most out of the 15 minutes that the average appointment allows for? Since 85% of patients don’t get to finish their opening sentance how can you communicate in ways that get your concerns heard and give the doc the information he or she needs to treat you properly?

And how do you get establish a partnership relationship with your doctor? Is it even possible?

This was the topic for a radio show I interviewed for called Clint’s Cures.

You can hear the archive of our conversation here. It could make the difference between a successful doctor visit and a frustrating one.

You can also read an article about How to Talk to Your Doctor here.

July 28, 2010Graphjam illustrates how we set people close to us up to lie. Hilarious chart.

How often do you ask a question and not really want an honest answer? Ironically, we often set our closest associates up to lie to us. This chart explains.

July 27, 2010Human support and interaction: productivity balms

I think I might as well make it official. Assistants are my favorite audience of all. I love nurses, managers are great, non-profits and government groups have a lot going for them and my army attendees light my fire and touch my heart. But assistants are all about support, and it’s a pleasure and an honor to have them shine that support on me.

I’m an introvert. I’ve told you that. An introvert who has given over a thousand presentations. I still get nervous. I was nervous before I presented for IAAP conference last week. I was nervous until we had a speaker’s luncheon and then I went to the bookstore to schmooze. By the time I presented, I was already in love with my audience and there was no room for nervousness. The presentation was a delightful sweet sharing.

Relating isn’t a waste of time. It’s a productivity balm. I didn’t just have more fun because I had been given the opportunity (thanks Susan) and took the time to relate. I gave a better presentation for it. Human interaction and support is a productivity balm.

Think you don’t have time for it? I differ.

July 27, 2010Facebook Firings show there’s more to Speaking Strong than letting it all hang out.

Probably a case of good riddance – but still – there’s a difference between being open and honest and being publicly belligerent and stupid.

July 26, 2010Communication challenges are opportunities. Gossip and manipulation webinar tomorrow is an opportunity to dynamize communication.

I love talking about collaborative, synergistic communication. And even though I’ll be detailing workplace gossip and manipulation in the www.perfectphrases.com webinar tomorrow, it gives me an opportunity to talk about the kind of dynamic communication I teach.

Gossip and manipulation give me the opportunity to talk about dynamic communication, and the tips, tools and phrases I’ll be sharing will give you the opportunity to improve the dynamics of your communication with others. Join us! it’s free!

July 18, 2010Two ways to get a copy of SpeakStrong for free

I have promotional copies of my book SpeakStrong that I will send to you for free – including shipping. Here’s what you do to get one.

1. Order my new edition of Perfect Phrases for Managers and Supervisors from theSpeakStrong Store or from Amazon and post a review on Amazon by August 1st. (I extended the date for that offer from my previous post.) Let me know once you’ve posted it.

2. Comment on my blog. I will select one commenter each week to win a promotional copy of SpeakStrong.

Here are a few tips for writing reviews and comments. And guess what? They are simple PowerPhrase principles.

1. Be brief. Usually, less really is more.

2. Be specific. Illustrate points and give examples.

3. Be targeted. Start out with a writing objective.

4. Say what you mean. Be personal. Write from your heart and original thoughts.

5. Mean what you say. If anything doesn’t quite pass your authenticity meter, rework it.

6. Don’t be mean when you say it. While you might take issue with something I write or wish to note a point I omit, (and my best contributors often do,) be graceful in your expression. If you post about “someone who done you wrong,” avoid demonizing the person.

Those tips are helpful for reviews and blog comments – and emails and just about everything.

July 1, 2010Time to tie things up: Perfect Phrases for Managers and Supervisors second edition gives phrases for humane employment termination

Ooops – if you came here looking for a link to this article, it’s here.

PowerPhrase: I wish I could let you take all the time you want to tie things up. I’d like to give you the kind of send-off you deserve

I didn’t update the link in my newsletter.

The original post for this address is below. with a little “do-over” irony.

We don’t often get do-overs, but I got one. And do it over I did. I revised my Perfect Phrases for Managers and Supervisors book from top to bottom with new dynamics sprinkled throughout. It’s not an expensive book so I freely recommend you get the new version, even if you already have the older one.

I love it. And just to inspire Amazon reviews, I have an offer. Buy a copy from me or from Amazon and post a review to Amazon by July 21st, and I will send you a free copy of my SpeakStrong book. No kidding. Sound like a plan?

You can also get the revised phrase book in my three and four management book specials.

June 30, 2010The IAAP is having a PowerPhrases Giraffle in Boston

What do you call it when you have a drawing for a cute stuffed Pippin Giraffe that you enter by suggesting PowerPhrases?

Why, a

• • • Giraffle

of course.

Susan Fenner, IAAP’s Education and Professional Development Manager came up with the idea.

And it made me wonder why they need me to teach PowerPhrases when they have her.

June 28, 2010The “What Can I Help You Say Today” Show – audition on Oprah is up

Sunshine sent me an email about her audition for a show on Oprah’s new OWN Network on Friday. Saturday I crested a video audition of my own. I thought it didn’t go through, but it did. I’d love your vote for my “What Can I Help You Say Today” show.

It’s about finding the perfect words for life’s challenging conversations. Like – how do you tell someone they smell bad? How do you get someone to get the help they need? And how do you turn defensive, adversarial conversations into collaborative ones?

Vote early and often – or at least just early.

June 23, 2010Chinese flyswatter campaign provides SpeakStrong inspiration

My husband was telling me China had a fly epidemic years ago, and responded by giving everyone a flyswatter.

When a billion people have flyswatters, the flies don’t stand a chance. The campaign worked.

I’d like to duplicate that effort, but instead of flyswatters, give everyone the tools to SpeakStrong.

Do that and power games, victimhood and manipulation won’t stand a chance.

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