storytelling Archives - Page 2 of 2

Episode 75 – Communicating Your Vision Effectively

March 2, 2017 by Debra Kasowski Leave a Comment

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“Good leaders must communicate vision clearly, creatively, and continually. However, the vision doesn’t come alive until the leader models it.” John C. Maxwell

Leaders can have great ideas but unless they can create a compelling vision for their people – ideas remain ideas. Leadership is about being about to communicate what that vision is on a consistent basis. You are pointing the way and leading them toward the vision. You must first believe in the vision yourself in order to share it.

Gain Clarity of Your Vision. You cannot share a vision with others unless you clearly understand it yourself. It does not have to be perfect to gain buy-in, people need to see the vision of what you are talking about. If they cannot understand the picture of what you are creating, you will not gain buy-in. What is the vision?

Make Your Vision Compelling by Sharing Stories. Describe your vision in as much detail as possible. The use of stories will create a connection between you and the people you are communicating the vision to. People will learn ‘why’ your vision is so meaningful to you. They will start to visualize how they fit into the story. Otherwise, they feel like they are on the outside looking in. It is like looking through a candy store window and not being able to touch or taste any of it. Keep your message simple but powerful. What stories or experiences can you share that help share that create a compelling reason for making the vision a reality?

Communicate with Enthusiasm. Be positive about your message. If you are not excited about your vision, you cannot expect others to be. Be passionate and enthusiastic about what you are doing. You want people to be engaged because they say “I want to” rather than them say “I have to” attitude. Otherwise, they will not put in their best efforts as they have no vested interest. People will be drawn to the positive energy you share and will want to learn more. Write out your vision so you can you are describing the vision exactly how you see it and the possibilities. What excites you about the vision?

Communicate a Variety of Ways and Channels. People like to receive information in different ways. They also each interpret messages in different ways. It is best practice to share your vision through a variety of channels. If you communicate the vision randomly, it will get lost in the whirlwind of other daily activities or your message may get diluted.

One of the most popular and possibly overused ways is through email. Not that it is not effective, it may not have the impact when buried in the others 400 emails you have. You may choose share your vision through one-on-one meetings, town hall meetings, video presentations, or even webinars. It can take from 7-9 contacts with information before they start adopting or moving into action. Overcommunicate your message to ensure it sticks. What are the best ways for you to communicate the vision and reach your people?

Help People See Themselves as Part of the Future and Part of Making an Impact on the Greater Good. Team members and followers have their own vision – the starts with “What is in it for me?” Talk in terms of how “we” are going to make the vision a reality. People want to be a part of something bigger than themselves by knowing they play a key role in making it happen. Collaborate with and engage your people in the process and help them understand their role and responsibility in making the vision become a part of reality. Two-way dialogue is very important. They want to know how what they do will impact the vision and if their work is meaningful or matters. What part does your team member or team play in making the vision come true?

Keep the communicate lines open. Allow people to ask questions and offer their suggestions. You never know what other experiences people have until the right opportunity comes up to share it. What can you learn from the questions and feedback people share to strengthen your vision?

You have a vision. You must now lead the way. Other are watching and waiting to find out how they will make an impact and when it is their turn. Invite them into the conversation and call them to action – to be a part of the vision.

We would love to have you subscribed to the Success Secrets newsletter on my website at www.debrakasowski.com where you’re going to get us free MP3 download 10 Surefire Strategies to Power Up Your Productivity and Performance. I would love to hear about this podcast has impacted your life. E-mail me at Debra@DebraKasowski.com. Thank you for listening to The Millionaire Woman Show where we talk about leadership, business, and human potential to help you live rich from the inside out. Subscribe to The Millionaire Woman Show. Share it with Your Friends. Give us a 5-star rating!

DEBRA KASOWSKI, BScN CEC is an award-winning best-selling author, transformational speaker, blogger, and Certified Executive Coach. She has a heart of a teacher and is certified in Appreciative Inquiry and Emotional Intelligence. Her writing has been published in a variety of print and online magazines. Debra Kasowski International helps executives, entrepreneurs, and organizations boost their productivity, performance, and profits. It all starts with people and passion. Sign up the Success Secrets Newsletter and get your free mp3 download today! www.debrakasowski.com

Time: 10:02 minutes

5 Powerful Lessons in Giving a Great Presentation

April 22, 2014 by Debra Kasowski Leave a Comment

Have you ever woke up from a dream startled and upright imagining yourself in front of an audience and you did not know what to say? Whether you are in front of one person or many, I have learned that there are several things you can do to make a great presentation. Now wipe the sweat from your brow, what I have to share with you is not rocket science but very simple lessons that can help you take a good presentation and make it great!

Know Your Audience. It is very important to know the 5 W’s and the How of presentations so you can best target your message and make it meaningful. Who? What? Why? When? Where? How?

Who are you presenting to is one of the most important because you want to tailor your content to relate to your audience so that they can take away some information and implement it into their lives. What stories can you tell them that would resonate the most? Are the attendees there willingly or did someone else send them? What are their interests? What is important to them? What stage of life are they in? What do the need? What challenges may they be facing?

2. Prepare Your Delivery. Brainstorm your presentation by using a mind map. Create a powerful introduction and end to your presentation. Leave your audience with something to reflect on or make them feel empowered. Find powerful quotes or your own stories to support your key 3-5 points. Avoid telling your audience everything you know on the subject. Otherwise, they make feel that they are being blasted with a fire hose of information. They will not retain what you have said. What is the best method of sharing or supporting your message?

3. Practice, Practice, Practice, and Practice again. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will feel about your content. You want to embody your message. Speak with conviction. If you do not believe in the message you are sharing, you will have a disconnect with your audience. They will not resonate with your message. Practice in front of others and get there feedback and adjust your talk as necessary. Practice in front of a mirror and watch you facial expressions and movement. Also pay attention to your tone and the rate at which you speak. It is all the little things that make an big impact in your talk. What are the key points you want to emphasize.?

4. Tell Stories. People love stories! Unless you are an performance analyst or an accountant, you may not fall in love with facts, figures, or stats. You can make facts, figures, and stats come alive through storytelling. Share testimonials of other’s experiences. Every person has a story or lesson in their life that they can share and make an impact. Let people know that they are not alone in their challenges and others face the same issues. How can you build up your audience?

5. Speak in conversation. Speaking to one or many should be done in a conversation. There should be more “you’s” than “I’s” – the conversation is about them not you. There is also much power in engaging others when you speak of “we” versus “me”. When you speak as though you are conversing with your audience versus lecturing or telling them to do something, you will build trust, rapport, and credibility. People are more apt to listen to what you have to say. They may even start asking themselves questions. If you are talking with many, scan the audience a look at one person and speak to them for a moment or two and then move to the next section. People like to feel you were sharing a message directly to them.

There are books exploding with lessons, techniques, and tips that can help you build and create presentations with purpose and meaning, so that your message resonates beyond your audience.

What is your greatest presentation tip?

3 Amazing Strategies to Create a Presentation People Will Remember

August 7, 2013 by Debra Kasowski 2 Comments

You have probably heard the phrase, “They may not remember what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel.”

The funny thing is many people have gone into presentations with fact, details, and numbers and unless those items are the most important pieces to your agenda your presentation will not be memorable.

When you are presentation making a , you are presenting yourself as a credible expert and sharing the message that is informative and perhaps even entertaining.

Personal stories/examples. Storytelling is the most powerful way to get a message across with the greatest impact. People can relate to stories through their emotions and experiences. Share some of your personal stories. The best advice I can give you is live an exciting life. Testimonials or client success stories can share a beginning along with the transformation. Not only is this exciting, it can stimulate the emotions of your audience and their want to know more about what you plan to say.
Quotations. Quotes and famous words can inspire and motivate. you can use these to share your interpretation and related it to your audience. You may also leave your audience with a thought-provoking question or challenge related to the quotation.
Collect information, articles, or quotes from books that intrigue you. Chances are if something has piqued your interest, it will pique the interest of others. Comparison and contrast examples can also be a very powerful way to get your message across.

Avoid clichés as they can be overused.

They can almost be like missing the punch line altogether.

Make your presentation memorable.

I know you can do it as you probably already share some of those stories with your family and friends.

Look for the lessons that you have learned and how you can teach others to achieve the same.

How has storytelling help you in getting your message across?