Aden Nepom

If you’ve followed any of the psychology or journalism focused on how we form and keep opinions over the last 50 years, (or have interacted with other human beings… particularly online) then you know just how unreasonable reasonable people can be! As we continue spending more time interacting digitally, and less time face to face, now more than ever before we are poised to misunderstand each other's intent, meaning and perspectives. With the communication of ideas happening with greater frequency in places like twitter and facebook, and as the workplace shifts to accommodate distanced and distributed teams, it is easier now to assume someone is wrong, ill-informed or just a plain a-hole. How can you have meaningful conversations with people under the circumstances? What happens when you hold completely opposing views? These powerful techniques and immediately useful approaches to communicating effectively with people can help you have meaningful instead of polarized outcomes.

According to recent surveys, the modern workplace can involve as many as five generations under one roof. That’s five different frames of references around communication style, collaboration preference, cultural experience, technology and more… all working together, with the expectation of producing successful outcomes. So, how do we maximize outcomes, with these diverse perspectives? What are the best practices one can use to seek clarity? To influence peers? Gain tools and practices to help you get on the same page with each other , create better communication habits for yourself and your organization, foster a deeper sense of belonging on your team, so that you can worry less about having your message received and focus more on the important work you do.

Whether giving a training, pitching a new idea, requesting something from the board of directors or delivering your first audition monologue to a casting director it goes without saying that you need to have great presence, tremendous confidence, and be engaging to captivate your audience. But for most of us we feel worried, shaky and foolish when we present ourselves and our ideas to the world. Learn a few simple, almost effortless pointers to help you look, sound and feel competent and confident when you speak.