Practically Speaking with Alex Perry

This episode wraps up the Presenting Made Simple series. This series is designed for growth-minded leaders who want to make a lasting impact on their audiences without the cookie-cutter tactics taught in traditional public speaking courses. Instead, you'll learn practical and applicable techniques to present calm and assurance.  In this episode, you will learn how to use visuals that engage your audience. We wrap this series up with next steps to help you put to work what you have learned in this series. Presenting Made Simple Video Course https://pswithalex.com/presenting-made-simple/   Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex Schedule a time to talk with me here.

This episode is part of a series called Presenting Made Simple. It's designed for growth-minded leaders who want to make a lasting impact on their audiences without the cookie-cutter tactics taught in traditional public speaking courses.  Instead, you'll learn practical and applicable techniques to present calm and assurance.  In this episode, you will learn how to engage your audience. Presenting Made Simple Video Course https://pswithalex.com/presenting-made-simple/   Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex Schedule a time to talk with me here.  

This episode is part of a series called Presenting Made Simple. It's designed for growth-minded leaders who want to make a lasting impact on their audiences without the cookie-cutter tactics taught in traditional public speaking courses.  Instead, you'll learn practical and applicable techniques to present calm and assurance.  In this episode, you will learn how to craft a compelling story. Presenting Made Simple Video Course https://pswithalex.com/presenting-made-simple/   Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex Schedule a time to talk with me here.  

This episode is part of a series called Presenting Made Simple. It's designed for growth-minded leaders who want to make a lasting impact on their audiences without the cookie-cutter tactics taught in traditional public speaking courses.  Instead, you'll learn practical and applicable techniques to present calm and assurance.  This episode is about understanding your audience. Presenting Made Simple Video Course https://pswithalex.com/presenting-made-simple/   Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex Schedule a time to talk with me here.  

This episode is part of a series called Presenting Made Simple. It's designed for growth-minded leaders who want to make a lasting impact on their audiences without the cookie-cutter tactics taught in traditional public speaking courses.  Instead, you'll learn practical and applicable techniques to present calm and assurance.    This episode breaks down a conversational mindset versus a delivery mindset. Presenting Made Simple Video Course https://pswithalex.com/presenting-made-simple/   Connect with Alex Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex Schedule a time to talk with me here.   This episode was edited and produced by Jenn Edds, the head broad in charge at the Brassy Broadcasting Company.     

In this episode: You'll hear Alex tackle the question, “How do we become the best?”  Take a listen.    Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex Schedule a time to talk with me here.   This episode was edited and produced by Jen Edds, the head broad in charge at the Brassy Broadcasting Company. 

In this episode: You'll learn what it means to be assertive, why it matters, and 3 ways to start practicing assertiveness right now.  Take a listen.  This episode was edited and produced by Jenn Edds, the head broad in charge at the Brassy Broadcasting Company.  Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex Schedule a time to talk with me here.  

In this episode: You'll learn 10 ways you might be communicating aggressively without knowing it.  Take a listen.  This episode was edited and produced by Jenn Edds, the head broad in charge at the Brassy Broadcasting Company.  Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex Schedule a time to talk with me here.    

In this episode: You'll learn what aggressive communication is and why it matters at work and at home.  Take a listen. Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex Schedule a time to talk with me here.  This episode was edited and produced by Jen Edds, the head broad in charge at the Brassy Broadcasting Company.   

In this episode: You'll learn eight techniques to help you overcome challenges with passive communication and become more assertive at work and at home. Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex Schedule a time to talk with me here.  This episode was edited and produced by Jen Edds, the head broad in charge at the Brassy Broadcasting Company.     

In this episode: You'll learn what passive communication is and why it matters to you both at work and at home.  Take a listen.  Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex Schedule a time to talk with me here.  This episode was edited and produced by Jen Edds, the head broad in charge at the Brassy Broadcasting Company.     

You'll hear five steps to help you respond productively to passive aggressiveness and help the other person to communicate what's on their mind in a safe and effective way. Take a listen.  This episode was edited and produced by Jenn Edds, the head broad in charge at the Brassy Broadcasting Company.  Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex Schedule a time to talk with me here.    

Passive aggressive much?  You're not alone.  In this episode, Alex gives you a crash course in passive aggressiveness, specifically how do you know whether you're being passive aggressive?  You'll learn what it means to be passive aggressive, why it's causes us so much trouble at work and home and what to do if you if you're struggling with passive aggressiveness.   Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex Schedule a time to talk with me here. This episode was edited and produced by Jenn Edds, the head broad in charge at the Brassy Broadcasting Company.  

How to say no to requests for your time. Today's question comes from my client and mentee Kiley. Kiley's an entrepreneur and she runs a sales consulting business. She gets slammed with requests for her time to “meet up for coffee”, “catch up with each other” or “I just wanna chat and pick your brain”. These requests can from anyone, peers, colleagues, friends, co-workers, the random LinkedIn connection, someone she met at a networking event, etc.  The problems come, when she turns up at these meetings and she finds out that a.) the other person just wants to chat in the middle of a workday (ugh) b.) the other person wants free advice (double ugh) or c.) the other person could've asked for what they needed from her directly and both people could've saved time and energy. Kiley doesn't want to be rude and she's also has limited time and energy. Can you relate? I love this question because it's super applicable and relatable to professionals, not just entrepreneurs. There's a good chance that you've been on the receiving end of random requests to connect. And it's hard. You're a good person who genuinely wants to help and you don't want to make someone else feel bad by saying no. I get it; I've been there and it's still hard for me too. Before we can talk about how to say no, we've got to understand why saying no is so hard sometimes.   Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex Schedule a time to talk with me here. This episode was edited and produced by Jenn Edds, the head broad in charge at The Brassy Broadcasting Company.  

Repetition gets a bad rap, because, in many instances, we don't want to insult someone because it can come off as sounding condescending. And or we don't want to repeat ourselves for fear that we will be boring or annoying.  These are completely valid feelings. We've suffered at the hands of boring, condescending, and annoying people.   However, it doesn't have to be that way. Understanding why, when and how to use repetition will help both you and your audience move the learning process along faster.  Let's start with when we use repetition. We use repetition when we want others to remember what we say. We want to use repetition frequently when we're leading and teaching, especially in the early stages, when we're trying to help someone master new concepts or skills.  Why is repetition so effective? Because it helps reinforce new info, making it more memorable. Remembering, storing information in short term memory, is key to learning. If we can't remember it, we didn't learn it. So, if you want people to remember what you said, you're going to have to get comfy with repetition. Here's how it works in our brains…when we repeat, we are reinforcing the neural pathways in our brains responsible for that information.  Over time, these neural pathways become stronger and more efficient, just like if you walked a new path repeatedly, making it easier for use to recall. Ok now that we know why repetition is so important, let's talk about how we can repeat without sounding boring, annoying, or condescending.  1.) Use synonyms.  Synonyms are words that mean the same (or close to the same thing).  For example, instead of saying “very good” you could say “excellent or “outstanding”.  2.) Change your sentence structure.  This will add contrast and keep your listeners listening. For example, “changing your sentence structure adds contrast while you're repeating information” and “In order to sound less repetitive, change your sentence structure!” 3.) Use transition phrases. These are phrases that connect one thought to the next. For example… “in addition to”, “on the other hand”, “however” 4.) Use anecdotes, analogies, and metaphors. Anecdotes are short stories that relate to your topic, real examples that enhance meaning. Analogies compare to similar things… “toxic workplace is like a dysfunctional family.”, Metaphors are a type of analogy that make a comparison where there may not be one at it's up to the listener to formulate one “e.g. boil the ocean” or “time is money.”  So, there you have it. We use repetition when we want others to remember what we say and when we're teaching new concepts or skills. Why is it so effective? Because it helps us remember. How do we avoid sounding boring, annoying, or condescending? By using synonyms, changing our sentences, using transition phrases and anecdotes, analogies, and metaphors.  This episode was edited and produced by Jenn Edds, the head broad in charge at the Brassy Broadcasting Company.  Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex Schedule a time to talk with me here.    

Merriam-Webster defines resiliency as an ability to recover from or adjust easily to adversity or change. - comes from our ability to handle change, difficult tasks, setbacks, we work on building in by exposing ourselves to challenges not by avoiding them. We have choices when it comes to difficult takes, we freeze in fear, close our eyes in denial or we can move forward, one step at time, at our own pace, knowing that even a little bit of progress is better than no progress at all. 1.) What resilient people know      -we know hard things are a part of life      - to keep our focus on what we can change, not what we can't 2.) Seek out challenges and work our way through them      -that resilience is dependent upon practice; we're never finished building 3.) Resilient people use deliberate practice      -set a goal      -break it into small, manageable parts      -work on your weakness      -seek immediate feedback Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex Schedule a time to talk with me here.  

Today I'm revisiting an episode that I did back in September where I talked about the lies, we tell ourselves. You can listen to the episode here. Don't want to listen and just want to know the gist of it? Sometimes we don't take credit for our work because we're afraid of being view as arrogant. To combat, remember that arrogant people don't worry about whether they're arrogant and they don't mind winning at the cost of other people. That's likely not you. Sometimes we don't share our great accomplishments because we're worried other people will think we're arrogant. To combat this ask yourself this question “Can I control what other people think?” The answer is no you can't. You can only control yourself and your thoughts. Would you rather feel proud of your accomplishments or worried about what everyone else thinks? The choice is yours.   Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex Schedule a time to talk with me here.  

Today we're talking about how to handle a complainer. There's nothing quite like the energy suck that comes from someone who constantly complains. It's awful to be around a complainer. They're unhappy with their work, colleagues, boss, friends, fitness, kids, partner, family, or life. And they want you to know about it. You're a good person; you've listened and tried to help them out. You've given suggestions, sent positive quotes, and pointed out the good. But they're still unhappy. Maybe they've gotten mad at you because you didn't "fix" things for them. I'm here to remind you that it's not your responsibility to fix a complainer's problems. You don't even have to listen to them. If you want to stop a complainer, ask them what they've done to solve their problems. If they answer and have good solutions, great. Give 'em a high five and tell them to keep on. If they answer and need some help, help them. If they don't answer, encourage them to think about what they could do and walk away. Give it a try. Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex Schedule a time to talk with me here.    

When someone comes to you with a problem, do you listen with the intent to help, or do you want to fix it? There's a difference. You are not a vending machine for answers, no matter how good that might feel to you. I want you to flip the situation and think about being the person who needs to be heard. Have you ever needed someone to listen and not fix? I have a colleague I enjoy talking with as long as we aren't discussing a problem I'm having. When I come to her with a problem, she wants to 'fix' it for me. At least, that's how I perceive it. Let me give you a few examples: If I say... "I'm not sure what I should do about xyz.", her first response is, "Well, I think you should..." followed by a list of to-dos.If I say, "I'm feeling icky about this problem.", she'll chime in with a story about how she had a similar problem with a similar feeling and how she handled it. If I'm struggling with a mistake and I need to process it, she'll immediately find the silver lining and tell me why I should focus on that instead of my feelings. Her responses leave me feeling, at best, unheard and, at worst like she's trying to one-up me with her struggles. Do you know someone like this? The truth is, I've been both the person with the problem and the non-helpful colleague. Providing solutions, sharing a story, or finding a silver lining can be helpful...sometimes. But often, what people need most is someone to listen and let them figure out what comes next. Listening with the intent to help means not offering unwanted advice, affirming vs. one-upping, or acknowledging hard feelings instead of painting a silver lining around a turd. There's a difference between listening to help and listening to fix. Be a helper, not a fixer. If you found today's Crash Course helpful, please share it with your colleague. If you want more content and resources for communication, make sure to sign up for the email newsletter at pswithalex.com. If you'd like to learn more about using communication as your competitive advantage, schedule a time to talk with me here. Until next time, take care and keep talking! Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex

Your words shape your success, the ones you say aloud and those you don't. How do I know? Confirmation bias. Defined as "the tendency to process information by looking for, or interpreting, information that is consistent with one's existing beliefs." Britannica. In my words, what we think about, we bring about. My friend, how many times have you heard someone say... "This is never going to work." and then it doesn't? "Who's going to care anyway?" and no one does. "Why bother?" and no one bothers. Their words confirm their beliefs, their beliefs shape their behaviors, and the results are what they predicted. Now, think about someone you know who says... "I am doing this!" and they do. "I care." and others do too. "I am investing in this." and they do. Their words confirm their beliefs, their beliefs shape their behaviors, and the results are what they predicted. Your words shape your success, and success starts in your mind. Whatever you do today, make sure what you're saying to yourself matches what you're working for. Make sure the words you say to yourself empower, inspire and motivate you. What you think about you bring about. Make sure you bring out your best. If you found today's Crash Course helpful, please share it with your colleagues and friends and hit the subscribe button, so you don't miss an episode. If you want more content and resources for communication, make sure to sign up for the email newsletter at pswithalex.com where you'll get weekly communication resources delivered right to your inbox. Make sure to connect with me on LinkedIn so we can chat, and if you've got a question, you'd like for me to answer here on the show write me a note in the comment section or email me at alex@pswithalex.com. Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex

Have you ever wondered how you're "supposed" to respond to a compliment? Do you have to give one back? What if you don't know what to say? It's OK to wonder, and I'm here to help. Saying thank you is always OK when it comes to compliments. Acknowledging a compliment is polite and shows that you appreciate the gesture. If you feel like saying thank you is boring or repetitive, try these phrases for a change;-I appreciate that. -That means a lot coming from you. -You made my day, thank you. -I receive your compliment. Thank you. You can return with a compliment if you want, but you don't have to. People generally give compliments because they mean them and want you to feel good. Not because they're expecting anything in return. If you found today's Crash Course helpful, please share it with your colleagues and friends and hit the subscribe button so you don't miss an episode. If you want more content and resources for communication, make sure to sign up for the email newsletter at pswithalex.com where you'll get weekly communication resources delivered right to your inbox. Make sure to connect with me on LinkedIn so we can chat and if you've got a question you'd like for me to answer here on the show, write me a note in the comment section or email me at alex@pswithalex.com. Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex

Today we're talking about a question that will help you make better decisions and build resiliency.  I'm guessing you're a bit like me, I think. You're interested in personal development, on a perpetual quest to be better, and love to learn. Am I right?  You might also be like me in that you've run up against a lot of challenges in your life. Life hasn't always gone your way. You haven't gotten everything you've wanted, or maybe, you've been tested beyond what you thought you could handle.  You've had to be resilient, even when you didn't want to be. Maybe you need to be resilient right now.   This week I watched Lucy Horne's TEDx Talk 3 Secrets of Resilient People, and it's the inspiration for this podcast. I won't share all the secrets. But because you enjoy communication content, I'll share with you the question she asks herself to boost her resiliency, and it's this... "Will this help or hurt me?"  Its simplicity is brilliant and drives right to the heart of where we need to go when making decisions.  I don't know about you, but I find it too easy sometimes to make decisions on autopilot, like putting off a call or a project, because the reward of doing something else may be immediate. Sometimes it's easy to dwell on what's past instead of moving forward because moving forward means accepting that I can't change what's happened.  But when I ask myself, "Will this help or hurt me?" it creates much-needed space for better decision-making. When you ask yourself and answer honestly, the right decision becomes clear.  Resilient leaders make decisions that help themselves and others.  Remember that as you decide your way through today.  If you found today's Crash Course helpful, please share it with your colleagues and friends and hit the subscribe button so you don't miss an episode. If you want more content and resources for communication, make sure to sign up for the email newsletter at pswithalex.com where you'll get weekly communication resources delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex

Good to great doesn't happen overnight, with a silver bullet, or in one magical manifested moment.  Dang it. Wish I had a magic wand for that one!  Average only becomes excellent with consistency.  You know this, my friend, even if it's hard to hear. If we commit to saving a few dollars daily, those dollars will grow exponentially. If we work out and count calories routinely, we'll lose the 15 lbs we gained during COVID. We know we'll improve our golf game or piano playing if we practice regularly.  So, why is being consistent so darn hard?  Because it's easier to stay average than it is to drive for excellence.   It's easier to spend the dollars than to tuck them away for a rainy day. Oreos are easier to eat, and Netflix is easier to watch than drinking water and going to the gym. In communication, it's easier not to practice presentations or conversations because practicing is awkward.  Easy choices often lead to average results.  Choosing excellence isn't easy.  Choosing excellence requires you to be consistent in the relentless pursuit of your goals. Consistently choosing what's hard, uncomfortable, awkward, and full of failure separates people who realize their goals from those who do not.  Are you a person who realizes your goals?  The choice is yours; what will you do consistently starting today?  That's it for today.  Thank you for listening! If you found today's Crash Course helpful, please share it with your colleagues and friends and hit the subscribe button so you don't miss an episode. Make sure to connect with me on LinkedIn so we can chat and if you've got a question you'd like for me to answer here on the show write me a note in the comment section or email me at alex@pswithalex.com  Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex

I don't know who originally said this, but hell is getting to the end of your life and meeting the person you could've become.   Think about that for a moment.  I think about how much I don't want to get to the end of my days and wonder, did I do everything I could to become the person I wanted to be? Is it just me, or do you feel the same way?  Have you been doing everything you can to become the person you want to be?  Are you seeking your highest and greatest potential? Does the world know who you are and what you stand for?  One of my clients, Brad, shared with me his story of owning his potential and speaking up for what he believes in. Brad was the third speaker in a line of speakers talking about the Agriculture industry. If you talk with Brad for more than a minute, you'll know just how passionate he is about Agriculture.  As he was listening to the other speakers, he realized that the presentation he'd been working on didn't fit with what was being said. He could hear the differences in his message and knew that what he had to say was contrary to popular opinion.  He said, "I knew that I had a rare opportunity to talk with an audience I may never get in front of again, and I had to take it."  And so, he took it. Brad stood on stage in front of hundreds of people and shared a message representing his knowledge and values, even though it wasn't a popular opinion. He shared knowing he might be subject to rejection, criticism, and maybe even ridicule.  How did the audience react? With great appreciation, thanks, and loads of positivity. Brad didn't know that it would happen, but he saw his opportunity to share his message and took it.  You cannot reach your highest potential if you cannot speak about what matters to you.  You cannot help others if you don't share your message, knowledge, and skills.    Reaching your full potential can't happen until you're able to describe what your potential is. You have to be able to speak it into existence.  We know that we're more likely to reach our goals if we share them with others. We know that if we can't say what we need or want, we won't be able to get it.  And yet, even when we know, we hold back sometimes, don't we? We're a little or maybe a lot afraid. I know that I am. But here's the thing, if we don't find a way to say it, the end of our road will come and we'll have missed our chance.  I don't know about you, but I'd rather speak my potential with a shaking, quivering, weak little voice than not to speak it all.  I know that once I've spoken, I can speak again, again and again, strengthening my message and my voice.  If you want to reach your full potential, you must start talking about what your potential is. You must talk about who you are, what you bring to the table, how you help and serve others.  When you get to the end of your road, will you be able to say, "I did everything possible to reach my highest and best self." or will you find yourself saying "I'm so sorry." to the person you could've become if you'd been brave enough to try. If you found today's Crash Course helpful, please share it with your colleagues and friends and if you've got a question you'd like for me to answer here on the show, email me at alex@pswithalex.com  LinkedIn Alex Perry Instagram @pswithalex 

"It's better not to say anything." Man, oh man, does this lie keep us from some important conversations. Before we dive into why we tell ourselves (or others) this lie let's make sure it's really a lie before we start huh? When you find yourself thinking, “It's better not to say anything.” it's a good idea to ask yourself, is this true? I love the question “Is it or is this true?” because it forces you to stop and think.  When you're weighing options on whether to speak up, it's important to think through the consequences.  There will be times when it is better not to say something. Perhaps when you're allowing an employee or report to tackle a problem on their own. You may see a quicker solution than what they've come up with however, they need autonomy and opportunity to learn independently, not have a problem solved for them.  And there will be times when it's critical that you say something. When a project is about to go over budget, a critical error is going to be made that will impact delivery of service to your customers or when you see inappropriate behavior at work (bullying, harassment, discrimination).  It's critical to speak at times like these, however, sometimes we convince ourselves it's not.  Here comes the lie “It's better not to say anything.” Why do we accept this lie from ourselves? Here are a few reasons…  It could be because we're scared, and we don't feel safe to share. Sometimes that's true and sometimes it's not.  Maybe we're afraid to speak up because we're afraid we'll get labeled as a naysayer, troublemaker, or someone who is negative or, possibly worse, is that we're afraid if we speak up, maybe we've learned if we speak up, nothing happens.  There are loads more reasons I'm sure, but these are a few of the big ones that come to mind.  So what do we do? How do we push against the lie “It's better if I don't say anything?” We ask ourselves what's the cost of not speaking up.  What's the cost to the company, what's the cost to other people but most importantly what is it costing us?  Are you losing your peace of mind? Are you going against your values? Are willing to sacrifice your integrity by silently condoning actions you don't agree with?     It's not easy to speak your mind when it feels risky; however, I ask you to consider what the long-term consequences will be if you don't.  Lack of communication is a serious problem in the workplace today.  Employees report overwhelmingly that they don't receive timely, accurate, or even honest communication from their employers. We're wasting time, resources and eroding trust. We can't control what others do, but we determine our actions, and our actions determine our character.  The next time you find yourself saying, “It's better if I don't say anything," ask yourself if that's really true.  If you've got a question, you'd like for me to answer here on the show, write me a note in the comment section or email me at alex@pswithalex.com  Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex

The lie that gets uttered across workplaces across the world "I do all the work, and they get all the credit." It seems like a simple, clear-cut statement on the surface; someone else is getting credit for my work and I'm mad about it. But is it true?  Are you really doing all the work and getting none of the credit? What are you really saying when you say “I do all the work and they get all the credit.”  In some cases, it some cases, it's true. Your work was stolen. Your idea was taken from someone else who used it as their own; the group project you were working on wasn't really done by a group; it was done by you. But here's where “I do all the work, and they get all the credit.”  gets sticky and tricky (brace yourself for a hard thing to hear delivered with love) Sometimes, I dare say many times when I hear someone complaining of not getting credit for the work, it's not because they didn't step up and claim the credit for their work.   They allowed someone else to get credit for what they did.  Think about that for a moment. We get upset because someone else is getting credit for work we did (maybe they helped and maybe they didn't), and we're upset because others didn't take notice of our contribution. We make things worse for ourselves, by thinking that others should “just know” that we did our part.  Ew. Ouch. I feel this one in my gut.  We want the people who are important to us to notice our work, and sometimes they don't. And people aren't mind readers, they make mistakes. People are busy, distracted, and often doing work that contributes to ours somehow; therefore, they claim their part. Thus, getting the credit. If we want credit for our work, we need to speak up and claim it.  It's simple, but not easy. The next time you're in a spot where someone is getting credit, and you deserve some too, speak up. Acknowledge your accomplishments so that others can do the same.  If you've got a question you'd like for me to answer here on the show, write me a note in the comment section or email me at alex@pswithalex.com  Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex

Today we are tackling the question…is it ever OK to ramble?  OK, now I can't get the Rambling Man out of my head. Thanks, Allman Brothers. I mean, it's a different kind of rambling. But still. Have you ever talked and realized that you're going on and on without making a point? And then said something like, "Oh, sorry, I'm rambling?"  You're not alone (ask my hubs; he's heard me do this so many times).  It's pretty common for folks to ask me how to stop rambling. Getting to your point quickly is important in business, and I'm a fan. However, "rambling" is such a common occurrence that it got me thinking... "Is it ever OK to ramble?"  I can now heartily respond...YES! Yes, it's OK to 'ramble.' That's because, chances are, you're not really rambling. Ramble doesn't mean what you think it means.  Let's look at some definitions. Ramble, in general terms, means "to talk in a confused way, often for a long time."   Are you confused when you're talking?  Probably not, or at least I hope not.  Taking too long?  That's super subjective; context matters.  Medically speaking, rambling means "Fragmented non-goal directed speech, most often caused by acute brain disease."   Do you have acute brain disease?  Probably not.  Here's the deal: what you're calling rambling probably isn't rambling; it's external processing (aka talking through your ideas out loud). Some people talk through their ideas, and some people think through ideas before sharing them out loud (internal processing)  Is it wrong to externally process?  No. Is internal processing better than external?  Also no. They're different. And that's OK.   Chances are, when you've caught yourself 'rambling,' you're not rambling (confused or brain-injured). You're working through your thoughts out loud. There's no need to apologize for that. If you're worried that you've gone on too long, take a break and ask the person/people who are listening if they're still with you and/or if they'd like to add something.  So keep on talking, free from the fear of rambling. There are so many people that need to hear what you have to say.   Until next time know that I'm rooting for you from the #frontrow.  Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex

Asking is awkward. We stumble around our words or avoid asking because sometimes it seems easier to do without. There are times when I say to myself... "I don't really need help; I can handle this on my own." Then I work twice as hard while being mad about doing it all myself. Or when I want to have a conversation with someone I perceive as having more power than me, I don't ask because I think, "I'll be bothering them." I miss the opportunity to connect and learn. Or sometimes it's as simple as wanting my hubby to take out the trash but not asking because "He's just supposed to know that's what I want."  Can you relate?  Asking can be challenging because it makes us feel vulnerable. It's a hit to the ego, reminding us that we don't know everything, and we need other people to help. Ouch. The good news is that you can get better at asking and get more of what you want. I'll walk through my process. 1. Determine what you want.  Seriously, this is the first step. Do yourself and the other person/people a favor by first figuring out what you need/want. 2. Determine the best person to ask.  In business, this is the person with decision-making power. If you don't know who has the power, ask around first. You'll save yourself time and frustration.  3. Choose the appropriate time and channel.  This is key if you're making a big ask, e.g., a raise, funding for a project, approval for a new hire; you want to do that face to face or voice to voice at a time that makes sense for the other person. Save email, text, and other messaging apps for simple requests.  4. Make the ask. Muster up your courage and get right to it. Lead with what you need/want. Be ready for questions and let go of the outcome. Sometimes no means not yet.  I can't guarantee you that you'll get what you want if you follow these steps. I can guarantee that the more you practice, the better you'll get. Give these and try and let me know how they work for you. I'm rooting for you.  Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex

I thought it was time to do a little series, and I'm excited to talk with you about the lies we tell at work because we lie, ya know? Now there are all kinds of lies that we tell, but I think some of the most tragic lies we tell are the ones we tell ourselves. It's often these lies that keep us from communicating effectively with each other. They keep us from having conversations that would make our work (and lives) easier in the long run. The first line I'm tackling is; "It's easier if I just do it myself." Ohhhhhh, it's a good one. I know how to do XYZ best, I've been doing it longer, I can do it better, etc., etc. If they do it and screw up, it will take more work to fix in the long run. Oh, sure, it may seem easier to do it yourself, and maybe you do save time in the long run. But are you telling yourself the truth? When you say, "It's easier to do it myself," are you saying... I don't trust those around me to do the job right. Ouch. If you find yourself saying, "It's easier if I just do it myself." Stop before going further and ask if that's true. Really true. Sure, it might save you time in the short run, but what's it costing you long term? Are you creating dependents when you want others to be independent? Are you stifling someone else's growth and development because you don't want to spend the time teaching them? Is this a pride issue for you? Do you think that just because you do something well that others can't, or even worse, they might be able to do it better than you? Are you crushing team creativity because you believe a leader needs to know "everything?". What does it say to your team, colleagues, and leaders when you are unwilling or unable to ask for or let someone else help? These are tough questions that I can't answer for you. Only you can. I can tell you what I've learned for myself and from coaching others. And that's when I say, "It's easier to do it myself." What I mean is I'm not willing to trust someone else to do the work or take the time to teach someone else to do the work, or I'm afraid to let someone else fail on my watch because it might reflect poorly on me. These are hard truths, and it's important to talk about them because we don't get better when we tell ourselves lies. We get better when we recognize that we're willing to let go, willing to teach, and willing to fail; we gain so much more than when we try to do it all on our own. That's it for today. Thank you for listening! If you found today's Crash Course helpful, please share it with your colleagues and friends and hit the subscribe button so you don't miss an episode. It's great talking with you. Keep going strong, my friend; remember that I'm always your front-row fan. Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex

Today we're talking about whether you should use notes when you present. The struggle is real. If you've presented, you've probably wondered how is it OK to use notes? Am I going to look like a dork if I use notes? Will people think I don't know what I'm talking about if I use notes? Or have you ever tried to use notes only to find yourself lost in the jumble of your own incoherent writing? Maybe you've watched someone else use notes and thought they did a terrible job. I hear you, and I've had so many of the same thoughts. Asking yourself about using notes is a good idea. And there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer; you're not a robot. Not all presentations are created equally, and context matters. So a better question to ask is, "Do I need to use notes?" I object to the word "should" as it's often associated with shame, and lord knows presenting can be stressful enough that we don't need to add shaming ourselves to the mix. Using notes isn't good or bad; it's context-dependent, and it's up to you to determine whether or not to use them. You may need to use notes because you're: -new to the content you're delivering -anxious and having notes makes you feel better -covering a lot of material over a long period of time and memorization isn't possible You may not need to use notes because: -you've mastered the content and flow of the presentation -you memorized for a specific purpose (e.g., a TEDx talk) -you've practiced enough to deliver without them I see folks who underestimate and overestimate their ability to speak without notes, and both types of speakers suffer for it. So what's my final answer on notes? It's better to be over-prepared than under-prepared. Practice enough that you feel comfortable enough to make it through with little to no use of your notes but have them at the ready just in case you get off track. Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex

If you want to be direct, lead with what you need. (how's that for direct?)  It sounds simple, yet it can be a struggle for many. It's difficult to lead with what we need because it feels risky.  It seems easier or safer to explain ourselves first before we get to our point. See if you can relate to any of these examples:  -asking for an increase in budget  -pitching a complex project/idea  -asking for a raise -requesting more time on a project Now, please don't read me wrong; these scenarios will require explanation. However, the level of detail will vary based on circumstances and the person you're talking with. But you can make the other person's job easier by being upfront with what you need before diving into the details.  In other words, when you lead with what you need, you reduce confusion and allow the other person more time to think. It sounds like this... -"I need to increase the budget for project XYZ, here's why" -"Requesting permission to move forward with project ABC." -"I'm requesting a raise; let me tell you why."  -"This project is going to require more time. Here's how much."  Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex

Today we're talking about one reason you're misunderstood. This one is going to smack you in the head like “duh”. One reason you're misunderstood is because you're using words that people don't understand.  Here's a fun statistic: A new word is created every 98 minutes. That means there are approximately 15 new words created per day, 105 words per week, and 38,325 words per year!  HOLY MOLY!  Before you get overwhelmed thinking about all the new words created daily, take a deep breath. Only about 1,000 of the words generated are adopted into public use each year. But still, 1,000 new words is A LOT.  It's no wonder miscommunications happen.  We are literally making words up as we go along.  That's why it matters so much that you do everything you can to make yourself easier to understand. Some might call it "dumbing things down," but it's not dumb to make yourself easily understood; it's brilliant.  The next time you find yourself using made-up or overly complicated words, stop and ask the person or people in the room if they understand what you mean.   It takes an extra minute in the short term but will save you from miscommunications in the long term.  That's it for today.  If you want more content and resources for communication, make sure to sign up for the email newsletter at pswithalex.com where you'll get weekly communication resources delivered right to your inbox and if you've got a question you'd like for me to answer here on the show write me a note in the comment section or email me at alex@pswithalex.com. LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex

Giving your boss feedback can be scary. Your boss makes decisions that impact your pay, job responsibilities, and promotions. Your boss is human, too. They're bound to make mistakes and operate in imperfection. You can become a critical part of your bosses' success by being one of the rare few willing to give open and honest feedback. And while it may be uncomfortable, it doesn't have to be complicated. Here's how: 1.) Ask if it's ok. Avoid the open-ended clique question, "Are you open to feedback?" Be specific about what you want to talk and about and why. Warn your boss if you're going to say something difficult. Pick a time that's right for both of you. Here's an example: "I'd like to talk with you about XYZ, and some of what I have to say might be hard to hear. Would you be willing to meet?" 2.) Practice. Take a few minutes to write out what you'd like to say. Then, say it aloud to ensure your tone and words reflect what you intend. Better yet, practice with someone else who can give you perspective. 3.) Schedule the conversation. Be clear about the purpose of your invitation (e.g., "Feedback on Q1) team meeting. 4.) Have the conversation. Lead with your main point (avoid the "crap sandwich" of saying something nice, actual feedback, and something nice again). Be clear and kind. Leave plenty of space for your boss to respond. Give it a try and let me know how it goes. Please keep sending me questions you want to be answered in the newsletter or on the podcast. Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex

How do you handle humiliation at work? A client emailed me asking about handling humiliation at work. He described how he's been working hard on his presence with his team. He's been personally and privately thanking those who have offered helpful feedback. However, despite his efforts, he was humiliated by a direct report in front of his department. He considered this person one of his biggest supporters, to make matters worse.  He asked me, how do you handle humiliation at work?  Oh, how I wish I could take a hard-line approach and say, "It's never OK to humiliate someone publicly, and therefore the other person must be fired!"  But where then is the space for misunderstandings and grace for bad moments? I've had bad moments where I've said something dumb and hurtful, have you?  Effective communication in the best of circumstances requires a lot of context, especially when something as painful as humiliation is involved. There are relationship dynamics and circumstances that we must consider.   There are possibilities beyond "right" and "wrong."  Before I could answer his email, my client went to the offending person and had a difficult conversation. She apologized, feeling terrible, and admitted she'd lost her cool.  So how do you handle humiliation at work? You already know.  Be like my client and have the difficult conversation. Be clear and kind. From there, you'll have the information you need to move forward.  If you need help figuring out how to be clear and kind with your words, contact me @ alex@pswithalex.com.  Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex

When was the last time you heard a phrase like this?  "The meeting was a complete train wreck." "Bob is a disaster in front of clients."  "I'll never find the right candidate."  Really? Did a train literally wreck your meeting? Did Bob turn into a tornado in front of your clients? Will you never find the right candidate for the job? I'm guessing you'll say no and something like... "I didn't mean it that way, Alex; it's just a figure of speech."  You're right; I understand you didn't mean it that way, and that you were speaking metaphorically. It may not seem like a big deal to use words like "disaster, train wreck, hot mess, or a sh*& show," but using catastrophic language can leave you sounding negative and anxious.  If you want to sound calm and in control, reducing catastrophic language is a must. So, instead of using words like those above, state the facts instead.  -The meeting got off track when we started discussing Q3 goals, so we didn't cover the agenda. -Bob struggled to be clear and concise in front of the clients.  -Finding the right candidate has been a challenge.   Can you feel the difference between the phrases?  It's your turn; how do you keep your communication calm and in control, even when times are tough? Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex

Have you ever had an instance when you thought you communicated clearly but based on the results, you clearly didn't? Maybe you thought you prepared well for a meeting, only to find out afterward it was like you said nothing at all. Perhaps you got a ton of questions about what you covered, or you discovered no one did any of the work? You talked but made ZERO impact. It's frustrating!?  There's a lot of communication in the workplace that leads to lost time, resources, and energy.  And you don't have time to waste. If you want your communication to be memorable and actionable,1. Say lessSaying less helps you prioritize what is most important. 2. Be directiveTell others what you want them to do by starting your sentence with a verb. "Call the client, submit the report, file the extension,"  Give these suggestions a try and tell me how they worked for you.  Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex

Today's topic comes from my client Kiley who is passionate about her speaking and presentation skills. Kiley coaches sales professionals and wanted to know what filler words are, why we use them, and what we can do about them. I love this question and have researched-backed answers to help you (and Kiley) out. What are they? Filler words are meaningless words, sounds, or phrases that mark a pause or hesitation in speech. Examples include: "uh, um, like, so, er, OK, right and ya know." Why do they happen? Researchers have narrowed down the causes of filler words to three reasons. • Divided attention: this is when your brain is trying to focus on multiple things at once. For example, you're trying to talk and type at the same time or when you're speaking and become distracted by an audience member. • Infrequent word use: this happens when we try to use words that we don't use regularly. Our brains start searching for a word and pauses, throwing in an "um" in an attempt to keep our speech fluent. • Nerves: when we're nervous, we tend to increase our speech rate, which can lead to increased use of filler words. What can we do about filler words? A few filler words here or there won't hurt, and they may actually help increase your approachability and authenticity. However, most researchers agree that our credibility goes down when we use filler words frequently. With that in mind, three thingsyou can do that will help are; Change your mindset. Adopt the mentality that your listeners will not notice any anxiety you have. We give people more credit than is due for their observational skills, which leads us to amp our anxiety unnecessarily. Practice. Say it out loud in front of people. Practicing in front of others engages your brain's motor planning cortex, which creates muscle memory for your talk. The more you practice speaking aloud, the more fluent you'll become. Engage your audience. Asking questions, encouraging note-taking, and inviting others to speak help take the focus off of you, decreasing your nervousness and focusing on what matters. And last but not least, Duvall, Robbins, Graham, and Divett recommend working with a speech-language pathologist trained in helping people speak fluently. That's the scoop on filler words. I hope you've found this helpful. If you're looking for help with your speaking skills, contact me. I am a Speech-Language Pathologist, and I'd be happy to help. Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex

How do you say no when it "feels" like you're going to disappoint your boss? Here are three tips that will help; Prioritize your schedule and workload You can't do everything. Block off time for critical tasks and ensure clear deadlines on your calendar. This includes personal time. Numbers and dates don't lie. When you can look at your calendar and see that you don't have space, this allows you to say no with confidence. It also allows you to show your workload and responsibilities to your boss, which helps if you get pushback; you can use the opportunity to reprioritize. Practice If you're a person who says yes often, practice saying no in lower-risk situations. Say no to the neighbors when they ask you over, no to the volunteer position at church, or no to a networking event. Saying no gets easier the more you practice. Be clear and kind Say no without beating around the bush. "No, I can't take on that task right now because I'm handling x, y, z. I appreciate you thinking of me." Remember that you're not rejecting a person; you're saying no to a request. Is there more to saying no? Of course, but this is a crash course, not a semester-long podcast. If you need help setting boundaries and saying no, contact me. I'd be happy to help. Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex

Sometimes, it's hard to know what to do with your handy dandy hands when you're talking. Especially when you're doing something that feels important, like presenting, interviewing, or networking with people you don't know. If you're not sure what to do with your hand when you're talking; try these suggestions: 1.) Relax It's as simple as it sounds. Let your hands relax at your side if you're standing, or rest in your lap if sitting. It will help you look calm even if you don't feel it on the inside. 2.) Use them Yep. I said that. Worry less about whether your hands are moving and more about what you're saying. Yes, body language is important; you don't want to clasp your hands like you're nervous or steeple them like you're trying to gain control, but you can and should move them around to emphasize your points. You'll look weird if you're trying to stifle them under the table. Don't forget to sign up for my weekly newsletter here and connect with me on social media! Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex

Here are three things to consider before you add humor to your presentation. 1.) Am I a funny person? Some folks feel or get pressure to "be funny." They think, "If I'm funny, my audience will like me more," which isn't necessarily true. If you're not comfortable being funny, your attempts at humor can come off as being awkward and uncomfortable, and your audience will feel that. If you're uncomfortable, your audience will be too. Stick with your natural style or practice humor in lower-stakes scenarios until you're more comfortable. 2.) Have I tested my humor with someone else? Not everyone receives humor in the same way. Practice with people beforehand and get their honest feedback. While it might be true that "you're not for everyone," you are there for your audience, and you don't want to offend them. 3.) What's my recovery plan? Even the best-laid plans fail from time to time. Do yourself and your audience a favor by thinking through how you'll handle humor failure. Be ready to acknowledge the fail, apologize if needed, and prepare a transition phrase or activity to get everyone back on track. The moral of the story is do your homework and have a game plan before attempting to add humor presentation. Knowing yourself and your audience will help you determine what's right for you and for them. Don't forget to sign up for my weekly newsletter here and connect with me on social media! Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex

The more you ignore problems, the bigger they get. It's not easier… Its avoidance.  If this is you…you're not alone. "A 2017 survey of 1,344 full-time employees sponsored by Quantum Workplace and Fierce Conversations found that 53 percent of employees are handling “toxic” situations by ignoring them." There's a better way. Instead of avoiding, mentally rehearsing for weeks on end, or having sidebar conversations (aka vent sessions with your homies), try this instead; 1.) schedule the convo (keep it short) 2.) prepare (three bullet points, no b.s.)   3.) meet (things won't get better if you don't)  4.) determine next steps (because you can't solve it all in 30 min) 5.) follow through (things won't get better if you don't)  Simple. Not easy.  But then again, neither is living with the frustration and resentment that comes with avoiding a difficult conversation Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex

How to Avoid Over Explaining Here are a few things you can do that will help.  1.) Write down what you're going to say before you say it. 2.) Pause. Take a breath and ask yourself, "Does the person in front of me need to know this?"  3.) Follow cues if a person looks confused, bored, or overwhelmed; stop. Ask a question or allow them to speak.  Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex

If you find yourself in email hell on a regular basis, you aren't alone.  Email sucks away the life of many an employee.  On average, you're receiving about eighty emails a day, sending close to forty and it's sucking away about 28% of your work time.  (read more here).   You already know that email doesn't improve your communication efficiency but did you know that research shows email is only 7 percent effective as talking. So do you keep using it when it doesn't make sense?  Let me make this super simple… if you want to get yourself out of email hell pick up the phone.  Yes, that means you'll have to use your actual voice, words, and thoughts with another human. You might have to navigate confusion, emotion, or even conflict. You are perfectly capable of doing that. And, the likelihood that won't create further confusion, emotion, or conflict will go down dramatically. Your efficiency and productivity will increase, and if you do this enough,...you might even get better at talking.  Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex

If you want to be a communication Rockstar you've got to start using this simple three-word phrase. "Tell me more." When you ask someone to tell you more, about themselves, their idea, their opinion-it opens the door for a much richer and more productive conversation. Tell me more…is one of the quickest ways to help you avoid assuming. It helps avoid misunderstandings because let's face it, we don't always understand people the first, second, or even third time they explain something to us.  Asking for more helps us gain clarity around what another person thinks and feels, and it shows that you really care about what the other person has to say.  Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex

Introducing yourself can be much easier and less painful if you follow these simple tips… Remind yourself that there's no such thing as a perfect introduction. Second, keep your introduction simple.  Keep in mind when introducing yourself is that it's an opportunity to further a conversation.  Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex

This podcast answers some of life's most challenging and awkward communication questions everything from how to diffuse jerks, to asking for a raise, how to start a conversation at a networking event, and even what to do if your nose starts running in the middle of a presentation-you'll learn how to handle these situations with ease. These episodes are based on real questions I get from my clients every day and are filled with practical tips you can start using immediately.  I've kept these episodes short, so you get just what you need, when you need it, without having to listen through long, drawn-out interviews.  Listen, whether you're talking at work, at home, or just hanging out with your friends there isn't an aspect of your life that isn't impacted by your communication, so why not be the absolute best you can be?  Your words matter and it's time to take your talking next level. Are you ready?  Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex

You're going to love part two of my interview with Gary.  If you missed part one, I suggest you go back and listen to that first, before you dive into this episode. Here, Gary answers questions about the Netflix series Waco, including how accurate the series is, what ultimately went wrong and what his relationship is with Dick Rogers and Jeff Jamar today.  Gary also answers a few questions he's never been asked before...and you're going to love his answers. You'll find the references to the book and the shows he mentions below. Take a listen and enjoy!    References:  Waco Nonsense: The Power of Not Knowing  Bag Man, Rachel Maddow  Hollywood  The Last Kingdom  Designated Survivor  To learn more about Gary go to www.garynoesner.com 

In this two-part series, I interview Gary Noesner. Gary Noesner retired from the FBI in 2003 following a 30-year career as an investigator, instructor, and negotiator. A significant focus of his career was directed toward investigating Middle East hijackings in which American citizens were victimized. In addition, he was an FBI hostage negotiator for 23 years of his career, retiring as the Chief of the FBI's Crisis Negotiation Unit, Critical Incident Response Group, the first person to hold that position. In that capacity, he was heavily involved in numerous crisis incidents covering prison riots, rightwing militia standoffs, religious zealot sieges, terrorist embassy takeovers, airplane hijackings, and over 120 overseas kidnapping cases involving American citizens. He has appeared in numerous television documentaries about hostage negotiation, terrorism, and kidnapping produced by the History Channel, Nat Geo, WE, Discovery, TLC, A&E, CNN, CBS, BBC, American Heroes Network, and others. He has been interviewed in Time, Forbes, the New Yorker, the Washington Post, the New York Times, Roll Call, the Washingtonian Magazine, the Christian Science Monitor, and other publications. He has given speeches at major universities, done interviews on numerous radio and television programs, and was the subject of an hour-long interview on NPR's Fresh Air in 2010. He has written a book about his FBI negotiation career, which was published by Penguin Random House in 2010, entitled: Stalling for Time: My Life as an FBI Hostage Negotiator. The 2018 Paramount Network TV Event "Waco" is based in part on his book. He was portrayed in the six-part TV series by two time Academy Award-nominated actor Michael Shannon. For additional information on booking Gary to speak, go to garynoesner.com

Oh, I'm excited about answering this question in today's episode! Many thanks to my friend and #president of my fan club Brad Ton for putting this one out there.  Brad's an account manager with One Cause, if you're not already connected with him on LinkedIn, do it now! Take and listen and tell me, "How do you know what's important to your audience.  Shoot me a message or drop your answer in the comments below.  Make sure to listen all the way through today's episode because I'm announcing my very FIRST podcast guest, and you're not going to believe who said yes!  Then hit subscribe, so you don't miss it!!

This is a question I get asked All. Of. The Time. I hope that by now you're starting to figure out that my answer to this question will be simple, and not necessarily easy.  In this episode, I'm tackling the question "Alex, how do I get better at storytelling?"  If you dream of sharing stories in conversations, in presentations, or on a stage. This episode is for you!  If you have public speaking or communication questions you'd like to hear answered on the Practically Speaking podcast, please don't hesitate to reach out to me directly via email or direct message or leave it in the comments below. I'd love to answer them here for you on the show. Thank you so much for listening. I am Alex Perry, the owner of practically speaking, where I coach and keynote on all things, public speaking, storytelling, and communication. You can find me on LinkedIn under Alex Perry and on Instagram and Facebook at @pswithalex.  Resources and Connections  

Today, I'm answering a question from my good friend, Jared Olsen. Jared is the head of Customer Success and a Product Evangelist for Motivosity. "How much research must you do before you can talk about an idea in a public setting?" If you've ever wondered about how much research you need to share an idea when you're speaking in public, take a listen to my answer here. The answer is simple…maybe not easy. Thanks for sharing your question, Jared! If you have public speaking or communication questions you'd like to hear answered on the Practically Speaking podcast, please don't hesitate to reach out to me directly via email or direct message or leave it in the comments below. I'd love to answer them here for you on the show. Thank you so much for listening. I am Alex Perry, the owner of practically speaking, where I coach and keynote on all things, public speaking, storytelling, and communication. You can find me on LinkedIn under Alex Perry and on Instagram and Facebook at @pswithalex.  Resources and Connections Learn more about Motovosity here: https://motivosity.com/about-us/ Connect with Jared here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredolsen/ Learn more about Disrupt HR here: https://disrupthr.co/city/indianapolis/ Access Google Scholar here: https://scholar.google.com/ Busting the Mehrabian myth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dboA8cag1M Albert Mehrabian: http://www.kaaj.com/psych/