It’s How You Say It…

When it comes to effective communication, how you make people feel often speaks louder than the words you use.

We all know (and studies show) that emotional awareness and empathy play a crucial role in successful interactions.

That’s why I cringe when I hear workplace phrases that dismiss them like, “check your emotions at the door…”. ??

Humans aren’t emotionless robots or machines, and emotions are a key component of communication.

Why Emotions Matter in Communication

1. Building Trust: People are more likely to trust and connect with you if they feel understood and valued.
2. Enhancing Engagement: Emotionally engaging communication captures attention and keeps your audience interested.
3. Creating Impact: The feelings you evoke can leave a lasting impression, making your message more memorable.

Tips for Effective Emotional Communication

• Be Authentic: Genuine emotions resonate more with people. Be yourself and let your true feelings show.
• Use Positive Body Language: Maintain eye contact if you are comfortable doing so, smile, and use open gestures to convey warmth and openness.
• Mind Your Tone: Your tone of voice can convey enthusiasm, empathy, and sincerity. Pay attention to how you say things, not just what you say.
• Listen Actively: Show that you care by listening attentively and responding thoughtfully.

By focusing on how you make people feel, you can enhance your communication skills and build stronger, more meaningful connections.

Remember, it's not just about what you say, but how you say it that truly matters.

Quick Tip: The 6 x 6 Rule

When designing presentations, the 6 x 6 rule serves as a valuable guideline to keep your slides clear and concise.

While not a strict rule, it’s a great reminder to avoid overcrowding your slides with too much text. Here’s what you need to know:

What is the 6 x 6 Rule??

The 6 x 6 rule suggests limiting each slide to a maximum of six bullet points, with each bullet point containing no more than six words. This helps maintain focus and clarity.

Why Use the 6 x 6 Rule?

1. Guidance: It encourages you to distill your message, ensuring that your slides are easy to read and understand.
2. Engagement: By reducing text, your audience will stay more engaged. They’ll listen to you rather than read ahead of you!
3. Simplicity: Clean, uncluttered slides look more professional and are easier for your audience to follow.

Tips for Using the 6 x 6 Rule as a Guide

• Highlight Key Points: Focus on the most critical information you want to convey.
• Incorporate Visuals: Use images, graphs, and charts to support your points and add visual interest.
• Be Flexible: Remember, the 6 x 6 rule is a guideline, not a hard-and-fast rule. Adjust as needed to suit your content and audience.

By using the 6 x 6 rule as a guide, you can create presentations that are not only informative but also visually appealing and easy to follow.

It’s a handy reminder to keep your slides from becoming too wordy, ensuring your message is clear and impactful.

A Note From Someone I’ve Never Met

A few months ago I had dinner with a good friend. I parked my car in the parking lot as I usually do — way far away from all the other cars in the lot (don’t ask ??).

Had a great dinner and when I headed back to my car, in an almost empty lot, there was the Toyota version of my car sitting next to mine. It’s twin, in white.

You see, when you’re a car nerd like me, you join a community by default. And when you buy a car with an enthusiast community, you’re instantly in a club.

So when I saw these two cars sitting virtually alone in a lot, parked the same way right next to each other, I got the message clearly — without any words, facial expressions, or body language.

So thanks to you, whoever you are — the owner of a white Toyota GR86 who lives or works or simply dines near Dolyestown, PA. I see ya, and think your car is cool, too.

(For those of you who care, the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 are the same car with different tuning and styling. I chose the Subaru due to its color and handling characteristics).

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