executive communication Archives - Communication and Beyond

The Power of Energy, Clarity, and Humanity in Effective Communication

In the realm of public speaking, there are three essential elements that can elevate any speech to new heights: energy, clarity, and humanity. By harnessing these qualities, we can captivate and connect with our audience, ensuring our message resonates deeply and leaves a lasting impact. In this post, we will delve into the significance of each element and explore how they contribute to successful communication. Energy: Igniting the SparkTo ignite the flame of engagement, it is vital to infuse our speeches with an extra 10% of energy. This surge of enthusiasm is not about becoming a boisterous game show host, but rather about elevating our presence and captivating attention. By increasing our energy levels, we create a dynamic and compelling atmosphere that draws listeners in, keeping them engaged throughout the entirety of our speech. Clarity: Illuminating the PathClarity is the guiding light that ensures our message reaches its intended destination. To effectively communicate our thoughts, we must strive for clarity of message and clarity in our delivery. Simplifying complex ideas, structuring our speech logically, and articulating our thoughts with precision all contribute to a clear and comprehensible presentation. Avoid the temptation to rush through your speech and consciously slow down, allowing your audience ample time to process the information and truly understand your message. Humanity: Forging Genuine ConnectionsIn the age of digital communication, it is crucial to remember that at the heart of every interaction lies the timeless bond between human beings. Whether addressing a B2B or B2C audience, adopting an H2H (Human to Human) approach is the key to establishing genuine connections. By speaking authentically and allowing our true selves to shine through, we bridge the gap between speaker and listener. When we communicate with humanity, our message becomes relatable, fostering trust and resonance with our audience. Conclusion:Mastering the art of effective communication requires the integration of energy, clarity, and humanity. By elevating our energy levels, we captivate attention and maintain engagement. Through clarity of message and delivery, we enable our audience to easily follow and comprehend our thoughts. Lastly, by embracing our humanity and speaking authentically, we forge meaningful connections that transcend business labels and cultural boundaries. Whether we are addressing a small gathering or a global audience, these three pillars will help us deliver impactful speeches that leave a lasting impression. Let us harness the power of energy, clarity, and humanity to connect with others, inspire change, and make our words resonate in the hearts and minds of those who listen. Ready to overcome the challenge and become a master communicator? Connect with me over a call and discover how you can elevate your presentation skills, exude confidence, and connect deeply with any audience. Let’s unlock your potential together. Write to me at archana@archanaparmar.com

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Is Executive Communication Coaching for you?

Communication / Archana Parmar

Leadership Communication Mastery: Insights and Experiences from Helping Diverse Leaders Succeed Leadership is not just about managing tasks, but it is also about effectively communicating your vision, strategy, and goals to your team. Communication skills are essential for leaders, as they help in building a positive work environment, improving employee engagement, and achieving business objectives. As a communication coach, I have worked with leaders who faced various communication challenges. In this article, I will share my experience of being a communication coach in India, coaching leaders with self-doubt, dominating behavior, non-assertiveness, language barriers, low self-esteem, verbosity, limited vocabulary, and those who did not know what they wanted. Self-doubt is one of the most common challenges that leaders face. It can cause a lack of confidence in decision-making, leading to indecisiveness and hesitation. To help leaders overcome self-doubt, I, as an executive communication coach, encourage them to focus on their strengths and achievements, which can boost their confidence. We also work on setting realistic goals, developing a positive self-image, and practicing self-compassion. Perceived dominance is another issue that C level leaders encounter. Dominating behavior can make team members feel ignored and undervalued, leading to low morale and decreased productivity. To address this issue, I help leaders understand the importance of active listening, empathy, and collaboration. We also work on improving their communication style to be more inclusive, encouraging input from others, and being aware of their body language. Non-assertiveness can make it challenging for leaders to establish authority and make tough decisions. In coaching, we work on developing assertiveness skills, such as using “I” statements, setting boundaries, and being direct in communication. We also explore the reasons behind non-assertiveness and work on overcoming any underlying fears or anxieties that may be holding them back. Language barriers can make communication challenging for leaders who are not fluent in the local language. I coach leaders to improve their language skills, such as attentive reading, active listening, practicing speaking and executive writing skills, using language learning tools, and seeking feedback from others. We also work on cultural understanding, as effective communication requires an understanding of cultural differences and customs. Low self-esteem can make it challenging for leaders to make decisions and communicate their vision effectively. In coaching, we focus on building self-confidence through self-care, goal-setting, and developing a positive self-image. We also work on developing communication skills that can boost self-esteem, such as assertiveness, active listening, and using positive language. Verbosity and limited vocabulary can make it challenging for leaders to convey their message effectively. In 1:1 customized coaching, we work on developing clear and concise communication skills, avoiding jargon and technical language, and practicing active listening. We also explore strategies for expanding their vocabulary, such as reading books, attending workshops, and using online resources. Finally, leaders who do not know what they want can make it challenging for their team to understand and achieve their goals. In executive coaching, we work on developing a clear vision and strategy, setting achievable goals, and communicating these effectively to the team. We also explore strategies for decision-making, such as using data and seeking input from others. In conclusion, effective communication skills are crucial for leaders to build a positive work environment, engage employees, and achieve business objectives. Coaching can help leaders overcome communication challenges, such as self-doubt, dominating behavior, non-assertiveness, language barriers, low self-esteem, verbosity, limited vocabulary, and indecisiveness. By developing these skills, leaders can enhance their effectiveness and improve their relationships with their team. How about you? What is stopping you from becoming the better version of you? Let’s connect and explore it together.

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Intelligent, knowledgeable struggling to communicate. Are you one of them?

Uncategorized / Archana Parmar

Articulation and assertiveness are two sides of the same coin when it comes to effective communication. Articulation refers to the ability to express oneself clearly and effectively using language and other forms of expression, while assertiveness refers to the ability to express oneself confidently and firmly, while respecting the rights and feelings of others. Both are important skills in communication and are closely related. Articulation is essential in communication because it allows individuals to convey their ideas, thoughts, and emotions clearly and effectively. It involves using language in a way that is clear, concise, and coherent, and involves being able to organize and structure one’s thoughts in a logical and coherent manner. Without good articulation skills, it can be difficult to communicate effectively with others, as misunderstandings and confusion can arise. On the other hand, assertiveness is essential in communication because it allows individuals to express themselves confidently and assertively, without being aggressive or passive. It involves standing up for oneself and expressing one’s needs, wants, and opinions in a clear and confident manner, while also being respectful of the needs and feelings of others. Assertive communication helps to establish clear boundaries and expectations in relationships, and can help to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts. The relationship between articulation and assertiveness is that they both contribute to effective communication. Without good articulation skills, it can be difficult to express oneself clearly and effectively, which can lead to misunderstandings and confusion. Similarly, without assertiveness skills, it can be difficult to express oneself confidently and firmly, which can lead to a lack of respect and understanding from others. Articulation and assertiveness are two sides of the same coin when it comes to effective communication. They are both important skills that contribute to clear, effective, and respectful communication with others. By developing these skills, individuals can improve their ability to communicate effectively, build stronger relationships with others, and achieve their goals in life. Many people are extremely intelligent and knowledgeable. But sadly, they struggle to communicate. Articulation is the ability to express a thought clearly and effectively. Communication begins with articulation. If you identify yourself with them, book your call with me and let’s change the narrative for you.

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Your Voice Can Fail Your Communication

Communication, Public Speaking / Archana Parmar

Voice is a powerful tool that we use to communicate with others. The way we use our voice can impact the way we are perceived and the message we are trying to convey. The five components of vocal foundations- speed, volume, pitch, tonality, and pauses- are essential for effective communication. In this article, we will discuss the importance of these components and how they can be used to communicate effectively. Speed is the rate at which we speak. It can be fast or slow and both have different meanings. Speaking fast can indicate excitement, urgency, or enthusiasm, while speaking slowly can convey a sense of thoughtfulness, deliberation, or seriousness. For instance, when you are telling a story or sharing an experience, speaking slowly can help the listener to imagine the scene better, while speaking fast can add to the excitement and make the story more thrilling. Volume is the loudness or softness of our voice. It can be high or low and can convey different emotions. Speaking softly can indicate intimacy, vulnerability, or secrecy, while speaking loudly can convey confidence, assertiveness, or anger. For instance, when you are giving a presentation, speaking with a louder volume can help you to command attention and show your confidence in the subject matter. Pitch is the melody or intonation of our voice. It can be used to convey different emotions and create a musical effect in our speech. A higher pitch can indicate excitement or enthusiasm, while a lower pitch can indicate seriousness or authority. For instance, when you are asking a question, a rising pitch can indicate curiosity, while a falling pitch can indicate a statement of fact. Tonality is the emotional tone of our voice. It can be used to convey six core human emotions- happiness, sadness, discouragement, fear, anger, and surprise. Different tones can be used to convey different emotions. For instance, a happy tone can be used to convey joy or excitement, while a sad tone can convey grief or disappointment. A fearful tone can be used to convey anxiety or worry, while an angry tone can convey frustration or irritation. Pauses are the breaks or silences between words or phrases. They can be used to emphasize a point or to give the listener time to process the information. Pauses can also be used to add drama or suspense to our speech. However, it is important to note that there is a difference between pauses and fillers. Fillers such as ‘um’, ‘ah’, or ‘you know’ can detract from the message we are trying to convey and make us appear less confident. In conclusion, the five components of vocal foundations are essential for effective communication. By using speed, volume, pitch, tonality, and pauses correctly, we can convey our message with clarity and impact. It is important to practice using these components to improve our communication skills and be more effective in our personal and professional relationships. With practice, we can learn to use our voice as a powerful instrument to connect with others and convey our thoughts and emotions effectively. Here are three case studies that illustrate the importance of the five components of vocal foundations: Barack Obama’s Speeches:Former President Barack Obama is widely known for his exceptional communication skills, particularly his speeches. One of the reasons why Obama’s speeches were so effective is because he mastered the five components of vocal foundations. For instance, he was able to vary his speed, volume, pitch, tonality, and pauses depending on the message he wanted to convey. When he wanted to emphasize a point, he would speak slowly and softly. When he wanted to express his passion or excitement, he would speak loudly and with more intonation. Obama’s mastery of the vocal foundations helped him connect with his audience and convey his message effectively. Steve Jobs’ Presentations:The late Steve Jobs, former CEO of Apple, was a master presenter. His presentations were not only informative but also engaging and captivating. Jobs’ presentations were so powerful because he used the five components of vocal foundations to his advantage. For example, he would vary his speed depending on the complexity of the message he was delivering. He would use pauses effectively to build anticipation and emphasize certain points. He would also use tonality to convey his passion and enthusiasm for the products he was presenting. Overall, Jobs’ mastery of the vocal foundations helped him deliver powerful and memorable presentations. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Speeches:Civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. is widely regarded as one of the greatest orators in American history. His speeches were instrumental in advancing the civil rights movement and inspiring millions of people. One of the reasons why King’s speeches were so effective is because he used the five components of vocal foundations to convey his message. For example, he would use his pitch to create a musical and rhythmic quality to his speeches, making them more memorable and impactful. He would also use pauses effectively to emphasize certain points and build tension. King’s mastery of the vocal foundations helped him deliver some of the most powerful and inspiring speeches in history. Would you like to work on your vocal foundations? Write to me at archana@archanaparmar.com

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Communication: the science and art of behind it.

Communication / Archana Parmar

Communication is a vital aspect of human interaction that involves the exchange of information and ideas between individuals. Effective communication is not only essential for building relationships, but it is also crucial for achieving personal and professional goals. However, communication is not a simple process, and it requires skills and techniques that can help individuals achieve their objectives. In this article, let us the explore the science of communication including para-language, focusing on the audience-speaker relationship, developing confidence, articulating your message, personal presence, and receptive and expressive communication. The Audience-Speaker Relationship: Effective communication requires an understanding of the audience’s needs and expectations. This means that you, as the speaker must consider the audience’s age, gender, education level, cultural background, and other relevant factors when developing their message. You must also identify your audience’s level of familiarity with the topic and adjust their message accordingly. For instance, while delivering a presentation to a group of experts in a specific field, you will use technical terms and concepts that would be unfamiliar to a lay audience. To establish a strong audience-speaker relationship, you must also demonstrate empathy and understanding towards your audience. This can be achieved by using humor, anecdotes, and personal stories that are relatable to the audience. Additionally, you must be mindful of their body language, tone, and delivery, as these can significantly influence how the audience perceives your message. Developing Confidence: Confidence is a critical component of effective communication. When you as a speaker exude confidence, you are more likely to capture the audience’s attention and convince them of your message. However, developing confidence is not an easy task and requires practice and preparation. To build confidence, you must first know your topic inside out. This means conducting thorough research and organizing your message in a clear and concise manner. Additionally, you must practice the delivery and anticipate potential questions or challenges from the audience. Visualization is also an effective technique for building confidence. Before the presentation, you can visualize yourself delivering a successful presentation, receiving positive feedback, and achieving your goals. This can help to reduce anxiety and improve your overall performance. Articulating Your Message: Clear articulation is essential for effective communication. Here, you must use language that is concise, precise, and easily understood by the audience. This means avoiding jargon, technical terms, and other language that may be unfamiliar to the audience. To articulate your message effectively, you must also be aware of your pace and tone. Speaking too quickly or too slowly can make it difficult for the audience to follow the message. Additionally, varying the tone and inflection can help to emphasize key points and maintain the audience’s attention. Personal Presence: Personal presence refers to the impression that a speaker makes on the audience. This includes their body language, tone of voice, and overall demeanor. Having a strong personal presence can help you capture your audience’s attention and inspire trust and confidence. To develop a strong personal presence, you must be aware of their body language. This means maintaining eye contact with the audience, standing tall, and using gestures that are natural and purposeful. Additionally, you must be mindful of their tone and delivery, using a voice that is clear, confident, and engaging. Receptive and expressive communication: The science of receptive and expressive communication involves the study of how individuals receive and express information through various forms of communication, such as spoken language, written language, and nonverbal communication. Receptive communication refers to the ability to understand and interpret messages that are received from others. This can involve active listening, paying attention to nonverbal cues, and processing information in a way that leads to comprehension. Individuals who struggle with receptive communication may have difficulty understanding instructions, following directions, or comprehending complex information. Expressive communication, on the other hand, involves the ability to convey thoughts, ideas, and emotions to others. This can involve verbal communication, such as speaking or writing, as well as nonverbal communication, such as body language and facial expressions. Individuals who struggle with expressive communication may have difficulty articulating their thoughts or feelings, or they may have trouble conveying their message in a clear and concise manner. To achieve effective receptive and expressive communication, it is important for you to practice active listening, pay attention to nonverbal cues, and use clear and concise language when communicating with others. Additionally, you may benefit from seeking the assistance of a speech-language expert or other communication specialist who can provide you the guidance and support in developing these skills. If you are interested in taking your communication level to the next level, book your discovery call with me and let’s talk through this.

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How can I be more confident in meetings?

Uncategorized / Archana Parmar

Meetings are a necessary evil, but they’re also a great opportunity to improve your productivity. When you don’t feel confident in meetings, it can be hard to stay focused and productive–but there are ways to overcome this barrier. Here’s how: Have a clear reason for being in the meeting In order to be confident in a meeting, you need to know what it is that you want from the meeting. This can include things like gaining new information, clarifying an idea or problem and even getting feedback on something that has been bothering you. Make sure that your goal for being in a meeting is clear and specific. For example: “I want to find out how much time it would take us to complete this project”. It’s also important not only have good reasons for being there but also prepare yourself for questions and objections so don’t expect people to just listen without any resistance at all! Be prepared There’s a lot of pressure on you to be ready for every meeting, so it’s important to prepare yourself. Be authentic and genuine Prepare what you want to say The next step is to prepare what you want to say. This can be a challenge when meeting new people, but if you’re prepared, it will make it much easier for yourself and your team members. It’s important that everyone involved in the meeting has a clear reason why they are there: What is the goal of this meeting? Who needs what information from each other and why? How will they make progress towards achieving those goals by having these conversations today? You may find that some topics are more important than others; if so, focus on those first! Don’t try too hard at making sure everything gets covered when there might be something else missing from your agenda (like asking questions). If something comes up during conversation where everyone knows exactly where things stand on an issue then just skip over it until later when time allows for discussion about other issues present in today’s meeting. Being confident will help you in meetings, but it will also help you be more effective. Being confident will help you in meetings, but it will also help you be more effective. In fact, confidence is one of the most important factors for success in any endeavor. Confidence comes from knowing yourself and your abilities, as well as being able to communicate those attributes effectively. If a person has confidence in themselves then they can share their knowledge with others without fear of embarrassment or failure. They will also be able to lead others because they know how they want things done or what steps need taken if something goes wrong during the process of completing tasks successfully. Conclusion Business meetings are one of the most common forms of communication. In fact, some studies have found that more than 80% of all work is done in a meeting or conference call. At first glance, this might seem like a good thing–after all, it means that you get to meet with people from all over the company! But when you take a closer look at these so-called “networking events,” there’s often something missing: confidence. If you want your business interactions with others to go smoothly (and not just because they’re required by HR), then here are some tips for making sure that everyone has fun while still getting what they need out of each other:

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7 Easy Ways to Improve Your Verbal Communication Skills

Communication, Presentations, Public Speaking, Speaking Skills / Archana Parmar

It’s easy to get people’s attention, what counts is getting their interest.” — A. Philip Randolph If you haven’t been snoozing the past couple of years, you have likely also noticed an overabundance of electronic tools that are designed to steal your attention and interest. Social media platforms Facetime, Skype, zoom, Webex, teams whatsapp Video games, YouTube, and satellite or cable TV Email, blogs, vlog, podcasts and what not! All of these above-mentioned tools promise to give you a better choice to communicate effectively. My question to you is- What percentage of these attention-grabbing distractions also engages your sincere interest and make some meaningful contributions? Effective verbal communication Physical interaction is an inevitable part of life, and you have verbal interactions with hundreds of people every day. However, verbal communication in the office is very different from verbal communication in any other setting simply because you need to uphold a certain standard of decency or professionalism. Therefore, understanding how to enhance verbal communication abilities can be really beneficial. The word communication means sharing the same ideas. Or, the exchange of information, including facts, ideas, views, sentiments, and attitudes. The foundation of management is communication. Without good communication, the fundamental tasks of management (planning, planning, staffing, monitoring, and management) cannot be completed successfully. Transferring information or messages from one person or group to another takes place during two-way communication. This process continues with a minimum of one sender and recipient involved in the message transmission. These messages may take the form of any concepts, fantasies, feelings, or thoughts. It can be in any form, any medium. But nothing beats the impact that you make with verbal communication. There is no denying the significance of verbal communication. We don’t get much practise, though, in a time when it’s much simpler to pick up your phone and send a nameless text than to drive to a coffee shop for a face-to-face conversation. Sign up to gain access to Free Webinar Webinar on Assertive Communication, now for FREE Watch the webinar now Loading… Thank you! You have successfully joined our subscriber list. How can you improve your verbal communication skills in this hybrid world? Let me put forth some of the crucial techniques you may use on a regular basis to help you understand the elements of verbal communication and ensure that you make the most of the situation. These are the 7 methods for enhancing verbal communication: 1. Pay attention without distraction. Put your phone aside when someone is speaking to you. Even if you’re a master multitasker, pay close attention to what they’re saying and maintain an uninterrupted discussion. 2. Structure your thoughts. Speaking without a structure or mindlessly while communicating is perhaps the worst thing you can do, and you may not even be aware that you are doing it. When you are among family or close friends, it is perfectly acceptable to do this, but when you are working, it may be quite costly. Therefore, even though a moment of silence between two professionals can be a little unpleasant, taking a moment to reflect before responding or making a comment can actually help you communicate better. This little pause enables you to take in what is being said, process it appropriately, and formulate a response. 3. Keep it clear and concise. Written and verbal communication are very different from one another in a number of ways. One of the key distinctions that must be noted is that while redundancy is used in written communication, it is not used in vocal communication. This means that you should always attempt to communicate your ideas clearly and concisely anytime you are speaking with someone. Most of the time, you might only have a short amount of time to convey a message to an audience or your boss. Being brief helps because you don’t want to take up their time at that time. The easiest approach to achieve this is to first ask yourself some questions to understand how you can present this message/information in the least possible words. 4. Practice outside of your workplace Spend some time socialising with people outside of the workplace. The greatest method to improve your communication skills is to practise, so find a weekly activity in your community that involves interacting with new people. Instead of concentrating on just one social skill, it will automatically assist you in developing all of them. 5. Maintain Eye Contact for effective verbal communication When speaking to others, keeping eye contact is crucial. Even if you’re not self-conscious or disinterested in the discussion, if you can’t make eye contact with the person you’re speaking to or your eyes are darting all over the place, it can give the impression that you are. So, keep that in mind when conversing with others to look them in the eye. 6. Pauses are okay We’re taught to avoid awkward silences, although pauses for contemplation and thought are a common feature of the flow of discourse. If your conversation partner pauses, give them a moment to collect their thoughts before you speak to break the ice. To respond thoughtfully rather than with the first thought that enters your mind, don’t be scared to take a moment to yourself. 7. Keep Your Tone in Check Whether you are aware of it or not, your tone has a significant impact on verbal communication and how your audience responds to you. Always keep your voice cheerful, light, and warm, and always finish your sentences with a smile. This will emphasize your friendliness. On the other hand, watch out for sounding robotic or uninteresting. This is a simple way to turn off your audience and come out as uninterested in the subject at hand. Refining your communication abilities takes time. Furthermore, there is no ideal, universal approach to doing so. But the saying “practise makes perfect” holds a lot of merit, and improving your vocal communication abilities is no exception. Your tone, when combined with correct pronunciation, communicates the message with

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How to learn business writing? Keep it simple!

Business English, Communication, Writing Skills / Archana Parmar

Clarity, simplicity, and good approaches are more important in business writing than fancy or long phrases. Tell me what you want me to know or accomplish in a concise manner—and make it appealing to the eye! It is as simple as that. When you utilize Plain English strategies, especially those that focus on the audience: use everyday English whenever feasible, your reader will understand your message clearly. Use simple sentence structures—two lines should plenty. Use headings and lists to draw the reader’s attention and guide them through the text. The source document Use tables—a picture is worth a thousand words. If required, define technical terms. Use the active voice—rather than saying, “It was done by us,” say, “We did it.” Use direct speech—rather than saying, “The organisation shall,” say, “We will.” Use a lot of white space in your document—the document’s body language. Are short and sweet Are upbeat—’when you send us the paperwork, we’ll…’ not ‘we are unable to’ Until you return the form, I’ll be able to assist you. How to check of you are using simple structure? Read something aloud, and then ask yourself this question: “If the person was sitting opposite me, would I say this to them?” If the answer is “No”—then don’t write it! What causes all the confusion in writing efficiently at work? During our formal study, we have been taught specific types of writing which are not the best ways of writing business letters, memos, reports or even emails. Remember, you were always asked to elaborate/explain/describe the topic/picture in 200/300/500/1000 words. Let’s look at the four broad types of writing and each of them requires different skills from us: Academic: to demonstrate knowledge, skills in analysis and reasoning Evidentiary: to tell the exact story as I experienced it—what I saw, heard, smelled Literary: Shakespeare, Milton, Dan Brown, Bryce Courtney, Tara Moss Workplace: to get things done You learn to use the first three all these years and when you move to corporate world, you are expected to use the fourth one. Resulting, during your appraisals you were told to work on your communication skills. Workplace Writing requires different techniques… You don’t believe me? Read further. The given two images will explain the difference between the academic writing and business writing- So you see, what you do in your academic writing, is no more relevant in your business writing. The workplace writing requires you to reverse the triangle. Therefore, in order to turn your written communication into a fluent, effective and satisfying process. You need to understand how to: Reverse the triangle Brainstorm all the ideas that you want to communicate Structure your thoughts in a logical manner Be clear about what you want your reader to know or do (clear call to action). Write to me at archana@archanaparmar.com to know more how you can master your business writing. or Schedule your discover call with me.

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Speaking is controlled breathing. Did you know?

Presentations, Public Speaking, Speaking Skills, Uncategorized / Archana Parmar

Breathe in- Breathe out Rather I should be saying stomach in- stomach out. That’s how we were designed to breathe by default. The rhythm of breathing creates electrical activity in the human brain that enhances emotional judgments and memory recall, scientists have discovered for the first time. These effects on behavior depend critically on whether you inhale or exhale and whether you breathe through the nose or mouth.—study results (Northwestern University). Why am I talking about respiratory system today? Well, we all have seen, heard, experienced the benefits of deep-breathing ever since this pandemic happened. It might seem a common thing to discuss. But today, I am discussing this with reference to leadership communication. Yes, you read it right. Breathe Well You’ve been breathing since birth; it’s just that a majority of us breathe from lungs, including me, till a few years ago when I came to know of lungs’s functioning. The only thing that stuck with me – lungs- the main respiratory organs, I forgot the diaphragm’s contribution. The diaphragm is a thin skeletal muscle that sits at the base of the chest and separates the abdomen from the chest. It contracts and flattens when you inhale. This creates a vacuum effect that pulls air into the lungs. When you exhale, the diaphragm relaxes and the air is pushed out of lungs. –www.healthline.com My involvement with communication studies got me notice the role our posture, voice, and breath plays to make it effective. While working with my clients, I realized most people are completely unaware of what they’re doing with their breathing system, again because, they never cared just as we don’t pay attention to our feet while walking, or our teeth while chewing or even our heart while it is pumping. Breathing is so much more than just an auto programmed feature of our bodies. So if you want to sound inspired and inspiring, read on, and be ready to boost your influence. Speaking is controlled breathing Every time you speak your exhale. Hold your hand next to your mouth and speak- did you feel the warmth of your breath? Now, try to speak something as you inhale from your nostrils- see! Breathing well is the first step of speaking well. It means you need enough air in your lungs to breathe out words and sentences. This means that you need to breathe in adequately before you speak. It also helps you in producing a good and confident voice- we will be talking more on voice quality later. Check your breathing There is a very simple way to check your breathing pattern for yourself. Stand straight, place one hand on your belly and another hand on your chest. Watch yourself in the mirror. Breathe naturally and calmly, and notice which part of your body moves the most. If you breathe well you should find that most of the movement is in your belly. As you breathe in, your belly should expand outwards. Stomach out As you breathe out, your belly should retract. Stomach in That’s how the babies breathe. If you find a great deal of movement in your chest rather than your belly, or if your shoulders rise and fall as you breathe, this means you are not breathing effectively and indirectly it is preventing you from using your voice properly. How to breathe? Lie down on your back, knees bent up. Place one hand on your belly and another hand on your chest. Breathe out all the air from your lungs and close your mouth. Do not breathe in again until your body tells you to. Feel the vaccum. Now, let your body to breathe in for you, it will happen automatically. With this breath, you should start to feel your belly rising up and you may find that the breath you take is somewhat deeper. Breathe it all out again immediately and notice how your belly drops back to its original position. Wait for the next in-breath. Practise technique for about 10 minutes, and observe the sense of release and freedom in your belly as you breathe. You should start to feel calmer and more relaxed. Gradually you will practice this breathing pattern when you are sitting, then standing and then 24*7. Belly-breathing or diaphragmatic breathing gives you a skill, essential for successful and authoritative speaking. Breathe in- Breathe out Stomach in- stomach out Did you get your copy of my book- ‘Business English and Leadership Communication’? Available versions- kindle and paperback.

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How to Explain Facts Without Data Dumping

Business English, Communication / Archana Parmar

How to explain facts without Data Dumping You have spent sleepless nights and prepared your speech and presentation, next day very excitedly you deliver it, and instead of applause, you receive a tiring or questioning glare from the audience. This was a data-dump talk. Data dump has many formats, sometimes in a collection of slides and sometimes in just one. I have never seen an info dump that improved a speech; instead, it thwarts the conversation; instead, it introduces a topic in a shallow manner that the audience will be clueless about the work’s conceptual concerns. The worst kind of data dump is when you provide a quantity of data that can’t be absorbed in a short time. Yes, information is essential but knowing how much to provide is the skill you must learn. Ditch the habit of bombarding with stats and figures without adequately explaining it to educate, inspire and connect with your audience. Remember, you are the performer, not your data. The Art and Science of telling your data The human brain has its way of functioning. The left and right halves of the brain home different kinds of reasoning, according to scientists. The left side associates with structure, sequence, form, and order and operates linearly. The right side is responsible for creativity and surrounds concepts and connections that cannot be defined logically. Often people present the facts and data applying the left-brain approach when needed is a right-brain process. Most presenters bring logic, structure, and form when the right brain yet rebounds around the right brain. Why? Business people are result oriented instead of process-oriented unless it is about long-time strategy making, product designing, and problem-solving. For a process like a presentation, you have to reduce the time frame and deliver the message. Let your right brain complete the conscious cycle’s operation first, and then use your left brain’s structure. Focus, prepare, and then let the information flow. The entire thing is about timing and how to be creative and logical at the same time. A presentation or a speech starts with the creative process. Remember, people who reject data absorb information. How you do it is the skill that can set you apart from your competition. How to explain your data? Without proper understanding or analysis of your data, you will end up trash dumping. So, what you can do is find the nuggets and profit from them. For instance, suppose you have to give a presentation about a product, instead of listing the features, tell a story. Find a customer usage case and discuss that: How the product changed the customer’s life for the better? Ipod was introduced as your travelling companion with 1000 songs in your pocket so you need not bother about forgetting your favourite CD or Cassette (oh yes, these things existed). Steve Jobs didn’t do the data-dumping. Or create a story with the product in its climax. Or discuss the customer’s personality who may buy and use the product. Or talk about how the product will change the audience’s life. Form the story structure, talk about the trouble and the solution. People can relate and help them understand better. Engage your audience; that’s the purpose. That’s the way it has to be done. Tell stories to create a difference between forgettable boring speeches and conversations that people remember. Just the way Steve Jobs first showed the world the iPhone. Winding Up Address information as a raw ingredient that has to be processed with your creativity and produce your speech, which the audience would love to receive. When you rely more on the type of content, you take a longer time to deliver, and you make your audience see through many boring slides (which they can’t remember) and your back towards the most crucial element present there: your audience. Avoid info-dumping, or you will lose your audience and your ability to connect, inspire and convince.

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