Moonstone Consulting, Inc.

When communicating during times of change, focus on: 1. Compassion. Acknowledge what your audience is thinking and feeling. 2. Clarity. Keep it short and simple to reduce stress, especially with tough talks. 3. Consistency. Emphasize what isn't changing--values, purpose, people first. #changecommunication #softskillsmatter #connectionnotperfection

#anxiety can be our greatest enemy in effective communication. The dread of giving feedback; the nerves of an interview; the fear of public speaking. Ugh. ?? To reduce that anxiety? Keep an audience-first mindset, structure what you say, and try some of these brain-friendly tips! ?? The "box breathing" technique is especially helpful right before you speak. ?? #communicationcoaching #nomoreanxiety #breathe https://lnkd.in/g3UuRgxd

Three quick tips to make your #businesswriting more impactful overnight: 1. Read your writing out loud. Your mouth, voice, and ears will tell you where it "flows" versus where it "fades." 2. Turn your commas into periods wherever possible. Two short sentences are more impactful that one long sentence. 3. Write every word with your reader in mind. Delete everything else. ??

Ever feel like your mind is racing, and your speech can't keep up?! ?? Well, it's not just a feeling, it's a fact. Research pegs the average rate of thought at about 400-800 words/minute. But we can only speak about 125-175 words/minute. ?? So we speed up...lose our train of thought...and become less effective. When we speak too quickly...in a "stream of consciousness"...we use too many words, poorly articulated and barely memorable. What can we do about it? PAUSE. ?? It can be so hard to do!!! But it's hard to understate just how critical it is. ?? Pausing is the ultimate power in oral #communication. Curating your words with pauses amplifies executive presence. So pause more often. For longer duration. With more intention. When you feel yourself drowning in the flood of words your brain creates...stop...breathe...and relish the power of the pause. You'll appear more confident. Your impact will increase. And your audience will better remember what you have to say.?? #communicationskillstraining #audiencefirst #frominformationtoinfluence

"Funky pumpkin." It's once again the season when gourds of every size, shape and color proudly sit center stage in homes, businesses and classrooms. Not a single one is perfect. No two are alike. And each one is a beautiful "funky pumpkin." ???? Watching some incredible leadership theory presentations at Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College this past weekend...and all had one thing in common...#authenticity. Owning your own unique style and substance...your own "funky pumpkin"...is both the hardest and most important thing great presenters do. Remember: 1. #audiences want #connection not perfection. Yes, make sure you're well-prepared. But don't worry about words you flub or flourishes you forget. Your audience doesn't worry about those things. Why should you? 2. Audiences can't retain much. Usually well south of 10% of what you say. So use visual language...analogies, metaphors, visual examples...to increase #retention of your key points. 3. Your presentation will deviate from plan...a little or a lot!...from the very first moment. Don't fight it. Show leadership within the questions, comments and reactions. Let the experience be an organic #conversation with your audience...versus a practiced lecture. Happy "funky pumpkin" season, and keep owning the unique and awesome you! ?? #communicationskillstraining #audienceengagement WPNT Communications Majors Communications Delta3C Coaching Thrival Concepts

Leaders who over-communicate tend to find the clarity they (and those around them) are seeking. However, it is really hard to do! Patrick Lencioni and the team discuss why over-communication is a struggle and what to do about it during "Say It Again, & Again, & Again..." (Ep 150 of the At The Table podcast). Link to episode in comments below!

We love #quotes, and this one is especially insightful. Thank you, Frank Viscuso, for articulating the purpose and value of improving personal and organizational #communiucationskills--in two simple sentences! ???? ?? #softskillsmatter #growthmindset WPNT Communications Majors Communications Delta3C Coaching Thrival Concepts

Fascinating study highlighted today by Daniel Pink. It encourages all of us to be (more?) intentional with our language when it comes to "you" vs "we." When you're communicating to #persuade, the pronoun "you" can sometimes come on too strong, especially in the early stages of a #conversation. Instead, build common ground by acknowledging shared concerns, priorities, and objectives. Then, using "we" becomes easier. When you do decide to use "you," it's possible to make the approach a bit more elegant by using "softening" language. "I might ask you to..." "Perhaps you would consider..." "I suspect you could..." It's a balancing act, isn't it?! ? Balancing between acknowledging your audience's perspectives and asserting your own clear premise. With purposeful #practice, we can all learn to "walk and chew gum at the same time!" ?? #wordsmatter #servantcommunicator #cleariskind

Beautiful sunrise in downtown Houston for a day of #mediatraining with a hard-working executive team. ?? Just as sunrise marks the opportunity of a new day, every media #interview (even the toughest) marks an opportunity for your organization to convey important messages. For many reasons, the media can be a flawed conduit, but a powerful one nonetheless. Always keep in mind: 1. If you're in the presence of a #reporter, consider that person to be a live microphone, at all times. ?? And remember, we all carry a recording device (our phone!) even if we're not credentialed members of the press. ?? Bottom line, be mindful of what you say when you talk about your organization. 2. Help the reporter understand and relay what matters to your organization by staying on #message, and restating/re-emphasizing your key themes. 3. Be sure to ask the reporter #questions, too! What prompted your interest in this story? Who else are you speaking with? What have you found so far? Media interviews are a give-and-take proposition. The reporter is only in control if you let them be.?? With #practice in specific techniques, your skills in leveraging the exchange of Q&A can put you--and your organization--in the driver's seat. ?? #interviewskillstraining WPNT Communications Majors Communications Delta3C Coaching Thrival Concepts