Archive for the 'Uncategorized' Category

23
Nov
09

Learn how to deliver Sticky Presentations–Try the R.A.T.E.R. technique

                        

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face…You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”

 1. Battle your fear of speaking by being thoroughly prepared. Know your material and trust your ability to communicate it to the audience. In addition, take the time to practice and get feedback on the presentation. As Aristotle once said “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is not an act but a habit”. You have a captive audience so take advantage and deliver a powerful and meaningful speech. 

 2. Act Natural and be authentic. Leave audience wanting more and with a positive impression of your flexibility, openness and responsiveness to their concerns and needs. Remember the audience is on your side they want you to succeed.  

 3. Present things aligned with who you are what you do well; don’t try to fake it or “make stuff up” MSU’s are out. 

4. Don’t gesture for the sake of gesturing.  There must be a reason for your gestures and they need to connect to what you are saying.

 5. Show the private person who is relaxed and confident in conversations. Bring that same confident style to the public stage. Start with high energy and get to the point and close with enthusiasm. 

6. Bring relevance, assurance, tangibility, empathy and responsiveness to the presentation. (RATER) Continue reading ‘Learn how to deliver Sticky Presentations–Try the R.A.T.E.R. technique’

29
Oct
09

Health Care Reform “People before Profits”–President Obama’s Time is NOW!

” It is to late in the day for the House of Reps to buckle-in on the Public Option or the Senate to kick the can down the road for the States to decide on Health Care Reform.  The “Blue Dog” Democrats and the party of “NO” Republicans are winning by stalling and not caring. I don’t understand their lack of moral conscientious. How can you not care about 144 people/day dying or 44,000/year dying who don’t have health care insurance. Watering down the Public Option is putting the Health Care Reform at risk because if it doesn’t work the President will be scapegoat as the one who failed. These devious plans to defeat Health Care Reform need to be challenged by the Obama team. The Obama team seem to want any bill so they can say they did something. What do I want to see?  Continue reading ‘Health Care Reform “People before Profits”–President Obama’s Time is NOW!’

06
Oct
09

Reality Check #1: Do Doctors Listen to Patients?

“The average doctor listens for 18 seconds before interrupting the patient.”

How disrespectful and arrongant is this kind of behavior? What are the implications for doctor-patient interactions? How can we help doctors improve their communication skills? Continue reading ‘Reality Check #1: Do Doctors Listen to Patients?’

05
Oct
09

Attention Doctors: Sticky Presentations more Important than just Talking

 “The ability to express an idea is well nigh as important as the idea itself.” Bernard Baruch

  A sticky message is one that’s understood by the audience or receiver, remembered, and that changes something (opinions, behaviors, values). Presentations can be either formal (keynote) or informal (Grand Rounds).  As a  doctor, when presenting or teaching, you’re on the front lines of conveying information and knowledge.  Every single time you deliver a roundtable, lunch and learn, and a dinner meeting, you’ve got to get up in front of colleagues and make ideas stick. The question you need to ask yourself–Is what do you want them to take or learn from the speech? And let’s face it, this is no easy mission. Few doctors look forward to another dinner meeting unless the wine is good and the food is first rate, they anticipate and are ready for the latest info on a new wonder drug for solving or abating the impact of a disease on their patients.

 1. Make the message tangible and relevant. Stories and examples are the critical foundation for sticky presentations. Stories provide a realistic context and hook for the audience

If you use only one tip, this is the one. The #1 mistake we’ve observed in presentations—and there is no close second—is that the message is too abstract. The presenter offers concepts and conclusions but not evidence. He talks at a high level about the big picture, but gives no concrete details that might make the big picture understandable and plausible. He may sprinkle in a few stories or examples, but they are treated like garnish. Most people communicate with, say, 3 parts exposition to 1 part example. That’s exactly backwards. In a compelling presentation, examples aren’t garnish, they’re the entrée.

A presentation is a sequence of concrete examples and stories that snap together to form a compelling argument. For instance, think of the examples that Al Gore used in his movie An Inconvenient Truth: The before and after photos of Mt. Kilimanjaro, showing the vanishing snow caps. The simulated satellite images of Manhattan flooded by rising sea levels. In Michael Moore’s Sicko, he doesn’t make conceptual points about the health care system—he makes his case through the stories of individuals, like the carpenter who accidentally cut off 2 fingers, and then had to choose which finger to reattach since he couldn’t afford to do both!

 2. Execute the 3 C’s–Make the presentation Clear, Concise and Compelling

We know many of you have to present data in your pre­sentations. But because data is pretty abstract, you should resist your temptation to lead with the data or to let the data stand alone. Which is more compelling? Saying that there are “900,000 poor adults with declining eyesight in Mumbai, and we need your help to start solving the prob­lem.” Or telling the story above about the 35-year-old weaver, and then saying, “Our research suggests that there are 900,000 stories like this, in Mumbai alone, and we need your help to start solving the problem.” Data are just summaries of thousands of stories—tell a few of those stories to help make the data meaningful.

 3. Get to the Point: Grab and Keep the Audience Attention

 The first mission of a presentation is to grab attention. And the second requirement is to keep that attention. That’s why it’s upsetting to see a speaker violate the Primacy Rule which is remembering that you have about 60 seconds to make a strong first impression. Don’t miss the opportunity by stum­bling out of the blocks with a laborious overview of what’s going to be covered and who you are. This problem is understandable. After all, we’ve all been coached to “Tell ‘em what you’re gonna tell ‘em, then tell ‘em, then tell ‘em what you told ‘em.”

 Within the 60 seconds of opening focus the audience’s attention on the challenge, opportunity or issue to be discussed. Eliminate irrelvant jokes and a slow start. Presenters like actors in the theater must be ready the moment you take the stage.

 4. Let your main points shine in the spotlight–focus on the critical 2-3 things you want them to take away.

 If you say 9-10 things, you say nothing. You probably lose you audience around # five. Remember the Magic #7 Rule concerning memory. People can only retain 5-9 chunks of information at one session. Stop flooding them with information and numbers. Stick to your MAIN POINT.. Are you giving the spotlight to your most important points? Here are two quick tests: What percentage of your speaking time is going to those points? And what percentage of your slides are dedicated to them? If you’re not spending at least half of your time and your visuals on the core of your message, you’re probably trying to accomplish too much.  

 5. Open and Authentic Communication 

One of the main reasons why people do not take the time to provide feedback is that they do not believe any action will result from the communication. Let audience members know that you have listened and that you will respond. Don’t just give lip service to support and continuous improvement. 

6. Listen, Ask and Problem Solve. Don’t Tell and Sell

  Hook them before trying to land them in the boat. Curosity and interest must come before data and content. Before your audience will value the information you’re giving, they’ve got to want it. Demand has to come before supply.  Most presenters take the audience’s desire to listen and care for granted, but that’s a big mistake. Great presentations are mysteries, not encyclopedia entries. Sticky message must be surprising,, raise curiousity and Cool.

Example of Sticky Presentations:  JFK Man on Moon, FDR Only thing to “Fear is Fear itself,” Death Panels etc. How about this one for the Dems: Why Health Care Reform–People first–Profits second 450% increase in insurance companies profits last 10 years. Enough said (Show visual chart of insurance profits and average company profits accross industries.) Tellstories of people dying ( 22/day 140 /week  460/month and 44,000/year. Highlight a few with real people telling their stories about their pain and non-responsiveness of insurance companies. Telling powerful stories is the best way to convey a sticky message that the audience understand it, we remember it, and we can retell it later. If people believe a message is credible and true, it might change attitudes or behavior permanently.

30
Sep
09

Reflections #15 Visual Pollution

Reflecting on the National Parks program, by Ken Burns –I thought this is something we need to pay attention too.

 

 

Visual Pollution by Ralph Caplan, 1978– Notes on Attention

“… so that people are free to attend to what they care about, ironically , though,the freest societies invariably create environments working against attention. Visual pollution is harmful not just because it is ugly but because it is destructive. Like other pollution, it destroys the BALANCE of nature– in this case human nature.”

29
Sep
09

How to Stop Irrational Ideas and Attitude: Develop Bullshit Support Team

 ”It all starts in your head…(Success) begins by trying to make each day count…If you sincerely try to make each day a masterpiece, angles can do no better.”  John Wooden, Hall of Fame Basketball Coach, UCLA 

 Irrational Ideas that Block Your Growth and Development  

  1. Need to be loved or approved by everyone–Give credit away and recognition will come  
  2. Differences make people bad, evil or stupid–Not stupid just different. Differences wwiden your perspective and help update your mental maps.
  3. Life is awful when things are not like we want them to be. Not awful just inconvenient. Continue reading ‘How to Stop Irrational Ideas and Attitude: Develop Bullshit Support Team’
12
Sep
09

Dynamic Leadership: Passion+Self-Renewal+Constructive Action

” Self-Renewal is possible if we don’t lose our capacity to learn and grow. But renewal…depends in some measure on motivation, commitment, conviction, the values men live by, the things that give meaning to their lives”. John W. Gardner, author Self-Renewal

Positive change results when we become aware of, observe and accept a new way to think and behave. We feel a new way is better when we experience more balance, peacefulness, or joy, than by continuing with our old habits and rountines. Breakout of old routines and habits and do something different. Be willing to experiment and test your boundaries. Continue reading ‘Dynamic Leadership: Passion+Self-Renewal+Constructive Action’

02
Sep
09

Purpose Centered Performance Leadership: Exercise #4 Feedback and Personal Growth

“The genuine leader knows it is impossible to grow and develop, without being open to feedback   and committed to honest self-reflection.” Robert Bolten, People Skills  

Many leadership experts talk about the need for leaders to be able to coach others. At the heart of coaching is the ability to provide feedback.  And yet the overwhelming view is that many leaders do not have the skills to provide appropriate feedback. It does no good to hang mission and vision statements in the elevator or lunch room and behave differently in interacting and providing feedback.  Leaders must be congruent in what they say and do to build trust.  Feedback is the heart and head of an individuals ability to see their blind spots and learn to grow in positive ways.  So the question for a would be leader: How do you provide approriate and meaning ful feedback? Continue reading ‘Purpose Centered Performance Leadership: Exercise #4 Feedback and Personal Growth’

28
Aug
09

Assertive Leadership–Message to President Obama on Health Care Reform

“All men are born free and equal, and have certain natural, essential and unalienable rights.” Constitution of Massachusetts, 1778.

The question for all of us is whether Health Care is a right guaranteed by being a citizen of the United States or a privilege bestowed on the fortune few? Continue reading ‘Assertive Leadership–Message to President Obama on Health Care Reform’

03
Aug
09

Dr. Mark’s Rule # 5 for Sticky Presentations — Avoid the Risk of being a Know It All

We are in deep denial about the difficulty of getting a thought out of our own head and into the mind of others. It’s just not true that, “If you think it, it will stick.”  Chip and Dan Heath               

And that brings me to the core difficulty of the “Know It All”.  Lots of research in social psychology and interpersonal communications shows that when we know something, it becomes hard for us to imagine not knowing it. As a result, we become arrogant and ineffective communicators. Continue reading ‘Dr. Mark’s Rule # 5 for Sticky Presentations — Avoid the Risk of being a Know It All’

19
Jun
09

Purpose-Centered Performance Leadership Exercise #3: Values the bedrock of “Walk the Talk”

“Example is not the MAIN THING in influencing others. It is the only the only THING.”  

 Dr. Albert Schweitzer

Many leadership guru’s talk about the need for leaders and followers to have shared values and meaning about the vision and mission of the organization.  And yet the overwhelming view is that many espoused values are not carried out in “walking the talk of action”. Values only come alive on daily interaction and decisions. It does no good to hang mission and vision statements in the elevator or lunch room and behave differently in interacting with employees and customers.  Leaders must be congruent in what they say and do to build trust. It especially important to honor your values not just in good times but in times when you are when under pressure or stress. Values are the heart and head of an individuals identity. Values are life long concepts that drive what we think is important in life to do. Values ground our personal visions and judgments .  So the question for a would be leader: What are the values that make up your personal vision?  Continue reading ‘Purpose-Centered Performance Leadership Exercise #3: Values the bedrock of “Walk the Talk”’

18
Jun
09

Reflection #12: Our 43th Wedding Anniversary– A Priceless Connection and Lessons Learned

“Being connected and personal is to be in the process of discovering and accepting each other…trust begets trust; fear escalates fear.”    Jack Gibb . author of Trust: A New View of Personal and Organizational Development  

Birthday, anniversary, new year all are  stopping points for me. I take the time  to stop and reflect and celebrate.  Helen and I are celebrating our 43rd wedding anniversary. WOW!!! What a great day. I found a special person to live my life with. We are best friends and partners. Each of us are fallible human beings with our own strengths and weaknesses. The luck side of this is the way we compliment each other and learn from one another.  This is a journey together through good and bad times. What lessons have I learned in this special relationship called marriage? Continue reading ‘Reflection #12: Our 43th Wedding Anniversary– A Priceless Connection and Lessons Learned’

16
Jun
09

Law of Leadership Effect: Presenting Stcky Messages

“The new leader is one who inspires and commits people to action, who converts followers into leaders, and who may convert leaders into agents of change through his words and action.” Warren Bennis

When communicating with others you are either being heard and responded to (connection) or missing an opportunity and being ignored or dismissed ( failing to connect).

That’s the bottom line. You don’t get to stand still in communicating with others and you don’t get much time to make your impact. So how do you make your message memorable or sticky?

How to make your message sticky or memorable? I’ve read a lot of either complicated or touchy feely stuff about how to connect with others.  I like practical, useable stuff, so here are a few  simple, practical ideas:

  • Make message relevant to participant needs and wants.
  • Have a conversation with yourself about when you were feeling really connected and understood by an audience. When and where was it? What were you saying? How was the person or group or audience reacting?  What was memorable?
  • When you felt the most understood and  and most connected, what were you saying and doing? Then make a list of the things you did when you felt the most connected.

Now here’s the practical part – pick a few of the things you did when you were making solid and energizing connections , and then do them again in your next presentation or interaction. I call this the Law of Effect.  

How to make your message memorable?

You need to created a sigbificant overiding goal (SOG) or theme for your presentation or interaction. Once you settle on the theme or objective, then work on developing a powerful phrase or sticky slogan to capture the essence of the broader theme.  When you have a powerful line which has been field tested with trusted associates then find ways to insert, say or demonstrate it throughout your interactions and presentations. Remember repetition is one of the most powerful memory tools in communicating. Findout more on the concept of Stickiness  by reading Continue reading ‘Law of Leadership Effect: Presenting Stcky Messages’

09
Jun
09

Reinvention: Smart-Step Self Coaching

“Speech is power; Speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

As a presentation coach for CPA’s , M.D.’s, Lawyers and executives for years, I focus on helping my clients replace self-sabotaging thinking and ideas with meaningful purposes and powerful goals and  performances through constructive thinking and actions.  I call this the Smart-Step process. It is all about establishing a clear and meaningful purpose, confidence through positive self-talk and developing through realistic practice, feedback and execution plans. Continue reading ‘Reinvention: Smart-Step Self Coaching’

03
Jun
09

Thriving on Teamwork

Individual commitment to a group effort–that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work”  Vince Lombardi

I think leadership is all about building great teams. That, in the end, is all personal — how do you think team involvement changed who you are today? I think  it humbled me. When you finally discover that your success is dependent on help from and cooperation with others, that almost every decision you make can’t go anywhere with  out followers and suppoerters. You feel a sense of pride, trust, and responsibility when your team is aligned and focused on the shared vision or dream you all want to reach. In the Five Dysfunctions of a Team, by Patrick Lencioni, presents the case for building effective and cohesive teams. He observes the obivious that building  a team  is hard work but also simple. Sound confusing it is. The author’s argument is focused on critical factors for ensuring success such as, courage and persistence. Of course individuals need to bring motivation and factors such as courage and persistence to the team. Yet to build an effective team producing desired results needs much more than just courage and persistence. One of critical factors for building an effective team is to pay attention to the selection of  individuals who make-up the team. Then we need to assess how the individuals will fit to together and assess their readiness to work together in a collobrative and synergistic way.

Here are a few questions for you to ask as you undertake the development of an effective and productive team.

1. Does your team have the right members who bring unique strengths and and talents for achieving the vision, solving the problems and finding opportunities to be tackled?

2. Is your group really a team or just a collection of independent people meeting together to share information but have no shared goal or purpose?

3. How does your team handle disagreements and conflicts –focusing on different points of view and styles or ignoring and burying differences ? 

4. Are team members clear on the expectations and task at hand?

5. What are you doing to measure the team’s readiness for team problem solving, interpersonal conflicts and reporting results of their work? What training do they need to work together and succeed in their mission?