Preparing to give a presentation is a very personal experience. We all have our own routines, tics, and superstitions that help us to feel confident and ready to speak to a crowd. Perhaps you need twenty minutes of solitary silence before taking the stage, or you’re convinced that an extra shot of espresso prior to…
When humans feel stressed, the natural response is “fight or flight,” during which time we will experience a rush of adrenaline, rapid breathing and heartbeat, and a period of increased focus. This stress response can be useful when needed – for instance when running from a bear. But when daily struggles have us constantly on…
Calling everyone “Dude,” “Ma’am,” and “You” may work in high school, but in professional settings the ability to remember names is crucial. Recalling someone’s name shows respect for that person and their work, and indicates that you were paying attention during your previous meeting. This is some subtle, but very effective, flattery. Dale Carnegie understood…
Dale Carnegie knew that turning a lesson into a story was the best way to convince an audience of his ideas. While his easy-to-implement advice is the backbone of his best-selling books, the heart and soul of them are the tales of how his tactics have transformed lives. Although it has been 83 years since…
We’ve all been told that “If you want something done right, you’ve got to do it yourself,” and this expression has lead to more professional burnout and stress than almost any other. Whether you’re a small business owner or the leader of a team, it’s essential that you learn to let go of certain tasks…
In a world where work is never “off” and going unplugged feels like a luxury, it’s only natural that the lines between professional and informal communication become blurred. After all, if you’re already answering emails on the beach, it’s not a far stretch to send an inquiry to a coworker via Facebook Messenger. Before sending…
Which activity do you think is more difficult – speaking or listening? While many would answer speaking, listening – and more importantly, listeningwith intent – is actually far more difficult. Think of it this way: in the last conversation you held, how much of what the other person said do you actually remember? Chances are, you…
In Dale Carnegie’s opinion, it is not possible to win an argument. In his eyes, if you lose it, well, you obviously lose it. But if you win it? Carnegie believes you’ve still lost. “Well suppose you triumph over the other man and shoot his argument full of holes and prove that he is non…
You might remember the days when receiving an email was a novel experience that left you a little giddy. Or maybe email has been a common part of life for as long as you can remember. Either way, it’s not likely that you’re getting excited by another inbox notification in 2019. via GIPHY These days,…
As you build your public speaking prowess, people will come to take for granted how much time, effort, and preparation goes into your presentations. They’ll assume that you’re constantly ready to wow an audience at the drop of a hat, and are likely to call on you to do so. All of a sudden, you’re…