Lighthouse Communications (LHC)

⁉️ Do you do any of the Top 5️⃣ Toxic Communication Habits⁉️ Let's detox your communication habits together! Angela Haupt wrote a Time Magazine article about these (and quoted me in the article a few times). Here are 5 highlights. 1️⃣ Do you make conversations all about YOU? Learn how better conversation comes when there's an exchange of ideas, not just a monologue about yourself. 2️⃣ Are you a conversation bulldozer, interrupting others incessantly? 🚜 Discover how good communication comes from listening - not rushing to get your point across. 3️⃣ Do you ramble on endlessly, losing listeners along the way? 🗺️ Unearth the power of crisp, concise communication that keeps your audience engaged. Take short talking-turns. Don't monologue. 4️⃣ Caught up in distracted listening? Instead, listen completely: eyes, ears, focus, some nodding, etc. 🗣️ 5️⃣ Are you guilty of "one-upping" during conversations? Learn to celebrate others' achievements rather than viewing conversations as competitions. 🏆 Once you spot your own bad habits, apply tips like these and those explained in the full video. Follow #AlexLyon for more tips and videos on #Leadership & #CommunicationSkills

I was thrilled to start watching The Later Daters with Logan Ury—not just because I love dating shows, but also because I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Logan a few times over the years. What I love most about the show is the simple, practical communication advice she shares with the people she's coaching. Here are two tips that really stood out to me: 1. Skip the small talk: Try in medias res—jump straight into a story without a lot of preamble. For example: “On the drive here, I listened to the most fascinating podcast…” 2. Balance the conversation: If you feel like you’re talking too much, take a sip of water, pause, and give the other person space to jump in. These are such simple yet effective ways to connect more deeply. Have you tried either of these techniques?

Had fun teaching at Airbnb on Friday with Win Chesson. Welcome to the team, Win!

Why use other voices for internal communications? 🎤➡️👥 Third-party verification works in lots of ways. Having testimonials about your work helps potential new customers gain confidence in your abilities, but what about your own employees? For three years, I've been using Anne Ricketts amazing video on creating compelling openings for presentations. I teach once a week at Centennial College and I could deliver this just as easily as Anne does, but giving students (in this instance) another voice helps break up the monotony of my solo voice, it brings increased engagement because of the novelty and allows me to put more time into creating other interactive classroom elements. This premise rings true in the workplace as well. Where can you use a third-party to communicate/speak/train/deliver messaging to your staff that would increase employee engagement or break up the monotony of one voice? Thanks again, Anne, for guest speaking via your YouTube video! And for the record, my students love your earrings!

Check out our latest video with some simple tips to communicate like a leader- regardless of your level. #Leadership #CommunicationSkills #CareerDevelopment

In my last post, I talked about the power of starting a meeting with a story to set context or bring your audience up to speed. Now, let’s dive into how to choose the right story. Here are three simple types of stories that help align everyone from the start: 1. A “Preparation Insight” Story Share a moment you had while getting ready for the meeting. For example: “As I was preparing for this meeting, it struck me that…” This helps set the stage and lets the audience in on your thought process. 2. A “Common Challenge” Story Open with a relatable challenge that connects to the topic, like: “We’ve all had those times when a project suddenly veers off course. Well, today’s discussion will focus on how to stay agile in those moments.” This builds empathy and shows you understand the audience's perspective. 3. A “Big Picture” Story Frame the meeting within a larger vision or recent event. For example: “With the rapid changes we’re seeing in the market, today’s strategy session is critical to making sure we’re all moving in the right direction.” This gives context and purpose, grounding the details in something meaningful. Starting with the right story brings people in and gets everyone aligned—before you even start on the main points. What type of story will you try next? #Storytelling #PresentationTips #Leadership #EffectiveCommunication

Most conference rooms today have large monitors, but every now and then, you might find yourself presenting with a projector. Here’s a simple tip: Don’t stand directly in the projector light. If you do, your audience will be distracted by two things: 1. They’ll notice how uncomfortable you are with the light in your eyes. 2. They’ll focus more on the charts and graphs projected on your face than on your message. Resist the urge to sit down. Instead, rearrange the space and plan where you’ll stand to maintain a clear connection with your audience. #PresentationSkills #EffectivePresentations #WorkplaceCommunication