Quick Hits

How might someone realize that they aren’t good at communication?

Communication is like driving; everyone thinks they are good at it.

 

But at some point, no matter how clear and articulate we might consider ourselves to be, we’ve all gotten that glassy-eyed look that tells us our point got lost.

 

It might be worse when you don’t get that look and you think you were understand only to learn later nope, they didn’t get it.

 

The frustrated, “you aren’t understanding me” is just blaming the other person. And “you aren’t listening to me” can either mean you think they aren’t paying attention or that they aren’t doing what you are telling them.

 

What I try to say instead is: “I don’t feel like I’m explaining this well. Let me try again.”

 

When we take the onus on ourselves to try to communicate as well as possible the other person will feel more involved in the conversation and more likely to ask questions if they don’t understand.

 

Oftentimes good communication comes from attention to and consideration for the person (or group) with whom you are communicating.

 

I discussed this with three expert communicators: Launch Point Labs co-founder Brandon Mahoney; Certified Speaking Professional Lauren Scheiffer; and executive coach Tim Hawkes. They had great insights on how to clearly and effectively communicate, whether one-on-one or to a big audience. I hope our conversation communicates something helpful and thought-provoking to you as well.

Connect with the panelists:

Lauren Schieffer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenannschieffer/

Tim Hawkes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timhawkes/

Brandon Mahoney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandoncmahoney/

Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

 

Want a summary of the Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/

 

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com

#Communication #AudienceEngagement

 

 

If someone posts on social media and then a friend mentions it to you, is that gossip?

There is a lot of what is posted on social media that we wish was shared more than it is. If I announce a new project on my LinkedIn page, for example, I’m doing so because I want people to know about it.

 

But if I share personal news to a Facebook group of a few close friends, and one of them shares it with someone outside of the group, has a line been crossed?

 

It is possible to share a screenshot of a post with the person’s name blurred. But isn’t that still gossip? If someone is going to feel shame because a post has been shared, it doesn’t matter if their name is anonymized. The impact is the same.

 

There are far-ranging practical and emotional consequences to the material we share on social media that we need to be aware of before we create a post. It’s an issue that isn’t talked about enough, so I’m grateful to my panelists for discussing it with me on this edition of Quick Hits: organizational specialist Glady Baradaran; Genius Marketing founder Emma Humphrey; and business consultant Kevin Wash.

 

I hope you will share this particular conversation as widely as possible and include your thoughts on how social media and not being a gossip works.

 

Connect with the panelists:
Glady Baradaran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glady-baradaran-msc-od-6238071a/

Kevin Wash: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-wash-23b90915/

Emma Humphrey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-humphrey-brand-marketing-founder-speaker/

Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

 

Want a summary of the Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/

 

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com

 

#SocialMedia #Gossip

What is your preferred method of communication and why?

Not too long ago, this would have been a very simple question. You could either call someone on their landline or email them. The most complicated decision was whether or not to leave a voicemail.

 

Now you can still email or call. My guest, organizational specialist Glady Baradaran, has strong feelings about that:

 

“If you want to reach me, text me, Facebook message me, WhatsApp me, email me, maybe send me a voice [message]. If you can’t, do a morse code, then you do those smoke signals, and then you call me.”

 

There are so many different means of communication now and how you organize them greatly impacts how you spend your time and manage your personal and professional relationships.

 

My own secret is that I have my alerts set in different ring tones so that I know from across the room if it’s a family member, friend or client.

 

My panel of guests on this edition of Quick Hits — which also includes Genius Marketing founder Emma Humphrey and business consultant Kevin Wash — each have different approaches to their daily communication.

 

I hope you find them thought provoking and helpful.

 

What are your pet peeves about getting in touch with people?

 

Connect with the panelists:

Emma Humphrey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-humphrey-brand-marketing-founder-speaker/

Kevin Wash: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-wash-23b90915/

Glady Baradaran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glady-baradaran-msc-od-6238071a/

Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

 

 

Want a summary of the Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/

 

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com

 

#Communication #WorkLifeBalance

What does it mean to forgive someone?

I don’t think that forgiving is forgetting — that’s just not a thing. The human brain does not forget, especially if someone has caused you emotional pain.

 

But it is possible to let go. You might remember how that person treated you, but you can let it stay in the past.

 

Of course, that’s a lot easier to do when the person genuinely regrets their mistake. If they are clearly going to keep doing the same thing to others, is it then your responsibility to stop them?

 

And what does it mean to be on the other side of the question? How should you ask someone for forgiveness?

 

This is not an easy conversation to have, so I was grateful for the thoughtful and openminded guests who had it with me on this edition of Quick Hits: technology specialist Atif Agha; personal brand strategist Annette Richmond; and Simon Coles, founder of the Better Conversations Foundation.

Listen in and let us know what forgiving someone means to you.

Connect with the panelists:

Atif Agha: https://www.linkedin.com/in/atifagha/

Annette Richmond: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annetterichmond/

Simon Coles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjcoles/
Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

 

Want a summary of the Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/

 

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com

 

#Forgiveness #LettingGo

How can you be a straight talker without being abrasive?

I was raised to believe that as long as I told the truth, it shouldn’t hurt someone's feelings.

 

It took me longer than it should have to realize that just being true isn't enough to keep something from being hurtful. Once someone feels hurt or shamed they are not longer open to what you are saying.

 

How do you approach those frank conversations — whether it’s with a business associate who’s holding back the team or a friend who has been behaving in a harmful way — so that the other person really hears what you have to say?

 

I put this question to the three great minds who joined me on this edition of Quick Hits — Tim Hawkes, the Managing Director of Unlimited Potential; Stewart Wiggins, fractional COO at Induna Advisors; and executive career coach Lisa McDonald. They brought great experience and insight to this conversation that I hope you find helpful when you also need share a hard-truth without hurting someone’s feelings.

 

What tips do you have for being able to say what needs to be said without shutting someone down by being “too much?”

 

Connect with the panelists:
Tim Hawkes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timhawkes/

Stewart Wiggins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-wiggins/

Lisa McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fearlesslisam/
Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

 

Want a summary of the Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/

 

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com

 

 

#StraightTalk #BetterConversations

 

How do you decide if something is worth arguing about?

This question assumes that we actually think about entering an argument before we find ourselves already in it. But I thought if we talk about it, we just might put a yield sign in our brains that will help us think the next time we see an argument coming.

 

Much of our conversation focused on understanding the purpose of the argument. Is it about being right? Winning? Persuasion? Might you ruin the relationship?

 

And of course, we have to ask the next question - what do you do when you realize you're in an argument that isn't worth it?

 

My panelists James Lee, Valerie Nielsen, Brandon Mahoney and Emily Rentas, LMHC all shared some great life experience insight into how they manage arguments in their lives.

 

Do you agree with them or do you have a tried-and-true method you use to make sure you only argue when there is value in it?

Connect with the panelists:

James Lee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jleeadvisor/

Valerie Nielsen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-nielsen-risk-executive/

Brandon Mahoney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandoncmahoney/

Emily Rentas, LMHC: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyrentas/

Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

Want a summary of the Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/

 

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com

 

#arguments #Disagreements #communicate

 

What does it mean to ”fairly” compensate someone?

This was a super interesting conversation. We didn't come up with a great answer and I am left with more questions.

 

How do you decide how much an employee's labor is worth? How do they know if they are being paid fairly? Why is compensation such a hush-hush thing?

 

If an employee feels like they are being paid enough, is it okay for an employer to pay them less than market value? (This happened a lot to me when I was young.)

 

Simon Coles reminded us during the conversation that compensation isn't just about the paycheck. There is also: vacation, sick time, health care (in the US), retirement accounts and the company culture (which might be a pro or a con).

 

Each of my panelists brings a different perspective. Keji Moses owns a non-profit. Frank Galindo is in PR. Atif Agha manages people in the tech space and Simon is an entrepreneur.

 

Listen in and then let me know what you think - what does it mean to fairly compensate someone?

Connect with the panelists:
Keji Moses CMgr FCMI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keji-moses-mcmi-61aaa6180/

Atif Agha: https://www.linkedin.com/in/atifagha/

Francisco "Frank" Galindo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankgalindo-mba/

Simon Coles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjcoles/

Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

Want a summary of the Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/

 

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com

 

#COMPENSATION #paycheck

 

What is the difference between being humble and being meek?

I love investigating how language is actually used. When you look up these two words they don't seem that different. But in real life they are used really differently.

 

To me, it seems like to be humble you have to have accomplished something and then not be a braggart about it.

 

But meek is more about being a wall flower without an opinion or a voice.

 

Terri Hill made a good point that it is possible to be too humble. If you never talk about your work, no one is going to notice, you won't get promoted. (Is that only a woman thing?)

 

Dr Cole Galloway talked about how oppression, the inability to be heard is different than being humble or meek.

 

Jeff Mangum shared that humility is being mindful of your actions and how they come across to others.

 

But Coach MJ Tolan might have had the best quote, "Being humble is the sexiest cologne you can wear."

 

Where do you think the line is between being humble and being meek? Is it possible to stand your ground and still be humble?

Connect with the panelists:

Cole Galloway, PT, PhD: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cole-galloway-1ba715107/

Terri Hill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terri-hill-b2915a8/

Jeff Mangum: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffmangum/

Coach M J Tolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/motivationalspeakertolan/

Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

 

 

Want a summary of the Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/

 

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com

 

#humility #meek #selfpromotion

 

What is the difference between flattering and complimenting someone?

This conversation came down to intention. If you are saying something nice to someone to get some benefit for your self - that is flattery and Mohan Ananda went so far as to say it is fraud.

 

If you are saying something nice to genuinely make the other person feel good, that is a complement.

 

Then I had more questions - how do you tell the difference and what do you when you think someone is flattering you?

 

That answer wasn't quite so clear.

 

Sara Oblak Speicher, MBA pointed out that some people just aren't good at accepting compliments and may think something is flattery when it is not.

 

Catherine Fitzgerald added that the better you know someone the easier it is to tell if they are being genuine or just flattering you.

 

This was an amazingly nuanced conversation and a lot of fun to have.

 

How do you tell if someone is flattering you and how do you respond if you think they are?

Connect with the panelists:
Catherine Fitzgerald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-a-fitzgerald/

Sara Oblak Speicher, MBA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraospeicher/ 

Dr. Mohan Ananda: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohanananda/

Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

Want a summary of the Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/

 

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com

 

#complimentfromwomen #Flattery

 

Is going contact-less making us care less about each other?

This question ended up creating two sides in a way - those who are perfectly happy to connect with people via social media, text and technology and those who prefer the energy of being in the same room.

 

But even those who are okay with building relationships via tech, out of sight, out of mind is a real thing.

 

I consider all three of the guys on this panel to be my friends. I have not met any of them in person (yet). I'm lucky, Quick Hits gives me an excuse to be in touch and get to talk to my virtual friends on a regular basis.

 

There have been plenty of people who have told me there social skills have deteriorated because they no longer talk to people face to face.

 

Thank you to Dr. Wayne Buckhanan, Stewart Wiggins and Gary Fredericks for sharing their experience and opinions with me.

 

Do you think that using self-checkouts and ordering online is making us less empathic and not as caring?

Connect with the panelists:

Gary Fredericks: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyfredericks/

Stewart Wiggins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-wiggins/

Dr. Wayne Buckhanan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waynebuckhanan/

Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

 

Want a summary of the Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/

 

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com

 

#selfcheckout #contactless #Caring