Communicative competence, communicative confidence

That's a real tongue-twister, isn't it?

Can someone speak well and not feel confident about it? Why or why not? Can someone speak with poor clarity or have trouble choosing the right words to say, and feel great about it?

Does competence equal confidence? Share your opinion!

Business Speech Improvement provides training in many verbal communication skills for adults. More information can be found at www.BusinessSpeechImprovement.com.

Two things to listen for if you are self-conscious about your speech

Do you come from another part of the country and are self-conscious about how you sound? Do people ask you where you're from? Is this affecting your work or social life?

If you want to change your speech patterns, you need to listen to others whose speech you admire to find out what they are pronouncing differently than you. For example, they may say a certain vowel differently, or have a different intonation pattern or "lilt" to their speech. Record your speech and listen to it so you can analyze what you want to do differently. Start by saying the new sound in single words. (Use a dictionary to get a list of the words with that sound.)

A great set of speech archives of different dialects of English is at http://accent.gmu.edu/.

Professional Diction and Grammar/Regional Accent Modification is a intensive course offered by Business Speech Improvement. A rare Open Enrollment class will be offered in June, 2010. For details, visit http://businessspeechimprovement.com/enabler/scripts/category.pl?Classes .

How to ask the right types of questions when coaching

Coaching employees in your workforce is a way to improve their growth and development. Coaches who ask the right kinds of questions can improve critical thinking skills in their employees, and help them to consider more aspects of their work.

There are three types of questions to ask, closed-ended, open-ended and behavioral questions.
Closed-ended questions have two possible answers, such as "Do you have all the materials you need?" They are best for the beginning of the interview, to relax a nervous employee, and for when you need to take control of the situation (with an employee who rambles, for example).

Open-ended questions allow for many possible answers, and may start with when, how, in what ways, under what conditions, and many other terms. Examples might be "What do you suggest comes next?" and "How would you analyze this situation's strengths and weaknesses?"

Behavioral questions ask how a person handled a situation in the past, the outcome and what he would change if it occurred again (or what he learned).

When asking open and behavioral questions, it is very helpful if the coach waits a few seconds after the person has finished answering, to allow time for additional responses.

Business Speech Improvement provides training in Executive Communication Skills, on both an individual and small group basis. For more imformation, visit http://businessspeechimprovement.com/enabler/scripts/category.pl?Classes .

Body Language and Caring

Do you really care about your employees and your work? If the answer is "yes", would people know that by watching your body language? I recently took 4 flights. On three of them, the flight attendants routinely (and boringly) gave the safety instructions, but looked at the passengers when speaking. On the 4th flight, the attendant recited the correct talk but looked out the window or at her lap the entire time. She appeared not to even care about what she was saying. If she didn't care, why should we, the passengers?

As a manager or leader, your body language is closely studied by your employees to determine whether you are satisfied, in a good mood, or otherwise approachable. Are you conveying positive or negative body language?

Executive Communication Coaching is a one day intensive seminar to be taught in a rare Open Enrollment class May 12th. The deadline for enrollment is Tuesday, April 27. Learn more about body language, listening skills and other crucial skills today's leaders need! Enroll today at http://businessspeechimprovement.com/enabler/scripts/category.pl?Classes .

Clients ask, "Why don't Americans help us?"

Many clients from other countries in the Pronunciation Improvement for Non-native Professionals seminar offered by Business Speech Improvement ask the same question: why don't native-born Americans help them improve their pronunciation of American English? In their native countries, their work groups naturally help the newcomers with various aspects of their job, including their communication skills. In the USA, though, native-born Americans are afraid this would offend their non-native co-workers; in addition, many people don't have the time or skill to know how to make corrections efficiently and effectively.

If you yourself or your valued employees want to improve your American English pronunciation,
learn about upcoming seminars at www.BusinessSpeechImprovement.com/accents .
What would better pronunciation do for you or your employee?

Giving a wedding toast this summer?

When you give a wedding toast, you want it to come off well. One great way to start is to say three adjectives that describe the couple, for example, funny, loving and adventuresome. Another is to start with a wonderful quote that describes them; if you can't think of any, use a search engine for a quote about weddings, strength, perseverance, or whatever.

If public speaking makes you nervous, get lots of great tips on reducing stage fright and giving presentations in the e-book Public Speaking: You Can Do It!. Another helpful e-book for weddings is Small Talk: Connecting with Others, to learn how to start, continue and end conversations with strangers. These can be found at http://businessspeechimprovement.com/enabler/scripts/category.pl?EBooks Improve your skills and enjoy the event!

Hate talking to strangers at a social event?

Do you hate making conversations with strangers, from blind dates to people at conventions or other gatherings? Learn the "unspoken rules" to make it easier! One rule is to plan 3 questions, in advance, to ask people. Consider what you have in common with them, such as being at the same event or in the same industry, and base your questions off that. For example, "How do you know our mutual friend Bob?" or "What did you think of that speaker?"

For tips on how to choose someone to speak with, start and maintain a conversation, and end one gracefully, read the e-book "Small Talk: Connecting with Others" at http://businessspeechimprovement.com/enabler/scripts/category.pl?EBooks
Practical tips , for "help in a hurry" ©!

Executives: "Listen" with your eyes

When you observe your direct reports, do you notice both the verbal and non-verbal behaviors?
For example, you may have a direct report who says she is "fine", but she appears exhausted.
How do you handle the discrepancy between her verbal and non-verbal behavior?

Usually, when there is a difference between verbal and non-verbal behavior, the non-verbal behavior is more accurate. Simply, it is harder to lie with non-verbal behavior. Ask the employee how things are going. If she does not mention the reason for her exhaustion, be more direct.
"You seem exhausted. Are things going well at work for you, or is there a problem I should know about?" Then be quiet and listen...it may take some time before the employee states what is really on her mind.

Listening is a primary part of a manager's job. Learn more about how to listen well at the one day lively seminar on Executive Communication Coaching, on May 12th. Enroll before April 27th at http://businessspeechimprovement.com/enabler/scripts/category.pl?Classes.
Class size is limited, so enroll today!

What's the best way to learn to speak English better?

One of the most common questions I get as a communication coach from my professional clients from other countries is, "How can I speak better English quickly?" I then ask them, "How much time do you speak English now?"

Many times people from other countries only speak a limited amount of English at work or when in the community shopping. At home they speak their native language, and many of their friends are from their native country, so they speak that language with them as well. Some also take English as a Second Language classes, or for those more fluent, classes in a local college.

But the best way to learn a language is to surround oneself with native speakers of that language and actually speak it as much as possible. At work, ask to get on company or departmental committees, or get involved in your neighborhood association or a recreational activity that involves speaking. This is not selfish; when you speak better English, you will be able to help your children and spouse with their English as well. The more you speak English, the easier it will be. Many communities and some companies have free classes available for spouses as well to help them become more involved in their new communities.

For those from other countries who want to improve their American English pronunciation, Business Speech Improvement offers a three day intensive class on Pronunciation Improvement for Non-native Professionals. Visit http://businessspeechimprovement.com/enabler/scripts/category.pl?Classes to enroll in the next session!

Executive Communication: Asking Incisive Questions

Two essential skills for executives are the ability to listen well - to both what is and is not said - and to ask the right questions. These questions help analyze the problem, consider the resources, consider and choose the best solution.

Executives were asked about what questions they considered when asked to evaluate a new project. A list of the best ones, along with many other communication techniques,  appears in the e-book Executive Communication Strategies.

What are some of the best questions leaders have asked in your experience that proved crucial to problem-solving? Please share them with our readers!

"Just say a few words..."

There are no words like "just say a few words" to strike panic into the heart of many business people. Many regard making a business speech as a very scary activity, because people can look foolish in front of their peers.

Like other skills, there are a few secrets to doing this well. First, whenever you think there is the slightest possibility that you may be called on to give an impromptu presentation, prepare a few sentences in advance, and practice them a lot. If you are called on to speak, only you will know this is not really impromptu. Second, prepare a few frameworks for what you will say in case you really do have to make an impromptu speech. Using these general frameworks, or plans, you can make speeches with greater comfort. Practice sample frameworks on general topics before you need to use them in public under pressure.

Examples of frameworks and other practical strategies are in the e-book, Public Speaking:You Can Do It! found at http://businessspeechimprovement.com/enabler/scripts/category.pl?EBooks .

Professionals: need to pronounce English better?

A businessman was speaking about a client of his who spoke English but was hard to understand. "By the time I understood the word he mispronounced, he was so far ahead that I missed important information." People from other nationalities work very hard to learn American English, but sometimes their pronunciation of it causes them problems. In addition, they also have to learn when NOT to pronounce certain sounds. For example, in the word "clothes", the "th" is silent. (Only English has a 'th" sound.)

Professionals wanting to improve their pronunciation of American English are invited to register for Pronunciation Improvement for Non-native Professionals, a three day intensive seminar May 3 - 5, 2010. The course is offered by Business Speech Improvement. Details are at http://businessspeechimprovement.com/enabler/scripts/category.pl?Classes . The class size is limited, and early enrollment is encouraged.

Some American companies are willing to sponsor an employee for this course if the employee will request it. They know that clear verbal communication benefits both the employee and the company.