Anna M. LINNEHAN, PhD, BCBA-D, LABA (MA)’s Post

Spoiler Alert: Last Friday night I attended a brilliant new musical called “Alan” (a coincidence!), a poignant work from Spain exploring the life of Alan Montoliu, a teen who took his own life due to the bullying he endured while transitioning. I was captivated by the story, the characters and music, then boom -- I suddenly realized that two of the characters (spoiler alert!) who I thought were brother and sister were actually the same person, but at different ages. It was brilliant storytelling, using the powerful technique of “the element of surprise.” Once I realized the twist, the musical took on even greater meaning. In developing speeches using story, the “element of surprise” can be a very powerful technique to use. If you want to learn how to employ this technique in your own storytelling, here are a few tips! 1. Start with an Unexpected Statement or Question Kick off your speech with something that makes people go, "Wait, what?" For example, "Did you know more people have access to a smartphone than a clean bathroom? So, if you're texting from the toilet, you are part of the solution!" 2. Incorporate an Anecdote with a Twist Tell a story where everyone thinks they know the ending, then flip it on its head. "I once spent an hour convincing a stranger on a plane I was a Harvard Professor... only to find out they were actually on Harvard’s Board of Trustees!" 3. Use Props or Visuals Unexpectedly Bring in a random object that seems totally unrelated and then surprise everyone with its relevance. I sometimes use a magic wand – and later people realize it relates to my experience working on the Harry Potter book series. But Wait! You Didn’t Think I Wasn’t Going to Mention TedX Summer Camp, Did You? And on a related note, if you have a big speech to give and you need help coming up with that Big Idea – and a few “elements of surprise” to keep your audience engaged – check out my upcoming Ted X program. That Big Idea for a Ted Talk, even if you never give one, can also be the focus of a keynote or talk. This might be the program for you. Here is the info and registration link!

The science behind dramatically better conversations: Charles Duhigg According to Charles' latest work, supercommunicators understand that whenever we speak, we're participating in one of three conversations: practical (What's this really about?), emotional (How do we feel?), and social (Who are we?). You're unlikely to connect if you don't know what kind of conversation you're having. "Supercommunicators" see the importance of recognizing and matching each type of conversation and how to hear the complex emotions, subtle negotiations, and deeply held beliefs that colour so much of what we say and how we listen. He says that our experiences, values, emotional lives, and how we see ourselves and others shape every discussion, from who will pick up the kids to how we want to be treated at work. Watch the full talk here: https://lnkd.in/eRzUYApb Source: @TEDxManchester | @Charles Duhigg #brandawareness #contentcreator #digitalmarketingagency #SEOstrategies #digitalmarketingstrategy #digitalmarketingtrends #marketingverse 

What really matters ⬇ #EventPsychology ➡ I build bridges between the science of human behavior and events. Connect with me to transform how you plan, attend, or collaborate on events!

Introducing our new series inspired by our March event, 'A-Levels? It's Just Another Level: 𝘈 𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦!' 🚀 Why are these stories important? Hearing from inspiring individuals who've overcome academic challenges can be like collecting powerful "confidence tokens," unlocking resilience to succeed beyond grades. Mr. Alvin Tan, Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry, will kick off our first episode, setting the stage for why these narratives are crucial for young minds. Setbacks happen, but how do you turn them into stepping stones? 💡Tune in to hear more stories of inspiration, and learn valuable tips to empower your mentees to navigate challenges with confidence.

💡 Hugged, helped, or heard? - These are the three kinds of #conversations we can have. - But too often, we don’t realize we’re not on the same #wavelength. - One person is seeking #emotional support, while the other offers practical #advice. 👏 Charles Duhigg never fails to bring fresh perspectives. - #ThePowerOfHabit transformed how we approach #behavior. - #SmarterFasterBetter sharpened our #productivity. In this talk, Duhigg challenges us to ask the right questions to connect on a deeper level. 🔍 Research shows successful #communication happens when we match the conversation type: - Practical: “What’s this conversation about?” - Emotional: “How do I feel?” - Social: “Who am I in this situation?” When we’re on different levels, we can’t connect. But asking #deepquestions—about values and emotions—creates real #connection. 👂 Duhigg shares a story about a surgeon who asked, “What does this diagnosis mean to you?” - This shifted the conversation from medical advice to a powerful moment of #empathy and understanding. 🤝 Next time, in the small talk: - Instead of asking where someone works, ask what they love about their job. - Instead of asking what they do, ask why they do it. #CommunicationSkills are about knowing when to hug, help, or hear!

Dive deep into discussions, exploring revelations in group studies—a journey of collective understanding. 📖 #Revelationstudygroupdiscussion #CollectiveUnderstanding #GroupStudy https://lnkd.in/gdtrbsX9

Without a mention, this talk comes up in conversation. It's a simple concept but not often used for obvious reasons. One of the pillars I talk about is finding the opportunity in difficulty. As humans, we look for ways to stop the pain and difficulty as quickly as possible. If we can learn to shift perspective and figure out what we can learn from the current difficulty, we can make the most of it. The pain won't go away, but we can lessen it. https://lnkd.in/gBx6mQyA

I'm curious. Always. This is why I love TedTalks. They feed me bite-sized content and work well as learning reinforcement across all subjects. I'm currently designing a course that includes the TedTalk below as a resource 👇 It's well worth the short 9 minutes for many reasons. I love site-specific performances that connect communities and how they "celebrate culture as the highest expression of the human spirit." What TedTalk have you found engaging and why? #LifelongLearner #curiosity #CommunityConnection

#15TedXTalksChallenge #Day5 #PersonalizedLearning🤓 Uncover the truths and myths about #learning, #brain and discover #UrUniqueWay of Learning as each brain has a different taste #WayOfLearning😋🧠 After watching this, your brain will not be the same by Lara Boyd | TEDxVancouver Link: https://lnkd.in/dKWSPxnR

Growing up in a world shaped by global forces, I've often reflected on how education must transcend traditional academic benchmarks to prepare children for a complex, interconnected future. The challenge reminds me of watching a young cousin navigate her early school years – her curiosity about the world naturally extending beyond textbook knowledge to questions about different cultures and ways of being. Education today must cultivate three essential dimensions: cultural intelligence, adaptive resilience, and ethical leadership. When I think about Latin American professionals facing subtle barriers in multinational settings, I'm reminded that technical expertise alone isn't enough. Our children need to develop the ability to navigate diverse cultural contexts while maintaining their authentic selves. In my experience mentoring young students, I've observed how those who develop strong cultural foundations alongside technical skills are better equipped to challenge systemic biases they might encounter. They need to understand not just how to excel within existing systems, but how to thoughtfully question and transform them. Rather than simply preparing children for existing corporate structures, we should educate them to become architects of more equitable institutions. This means fostering critical thinking that questions inherited assumptions about merit and success, while nurturing the emotional intelligence to build bridges across cultural divides. The education we provide should embrace both universal skills and cultural specificity – teaching children to move confidently between different worlds while remaining grounded in their own heritage. This preparation isn't just about individual success; it's about enabling the next generation to create more inclusive global spaces. https://lnkd.in/dbVgNzBZ