Speak by Design’s Post

I recently finished reading "𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙤 𝙒𝙞𝙣 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄𝙣𝙛𝙡𝙪𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙋𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚" 𝙗𝙮 𝘿𝙖𝙡𝙚 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙚, and I’m reminded of its profound impact on personal and professional relationships. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to enhance their communication skills and connect more meaningfully with others. Here are a few key takeaways that stand out: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: Carnegie teaches us that listening is just as important as speaking. People appreciate when they feel heard and understood. 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹: Understanding and appreciating others’ viewpoints can create stronger bonds and foster collaboration. 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Acknowledging others' efforts, no matter how small, can boost morale and inspire greater productivity. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀: Remembering someone’s name is a simple yet powerful way to show respect and build rapport. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: Instead of criticizing, offer constructive feedback and support. This encourages growth rather than defensiveness. These principles have transformed my approach to networking and leadership, proving that genuine connections are the foundation of success. If you haven’t explored this classic yet, I highly recommend it! What insights have you gained from this book, or do you have other favorites on building relationships? Let’s share our thoughts! #Leadership #Communication #Influence #DaleCarnegie #Networking #PersonalDevelopment

Growing up, I admired leaders who excelled during presentations. I thought they were born with it and that being a strong presenter was something you either had or didn't. Then, one day, a mentor told me I needed to work on my presentation skills to advance my career. I was skeptical, but I made it my mission to improve. I read every book on presentations, watched countless YouTube videos, talked to experts, and observed how others prepared. Here's what I learned about good presenters: - It’s not something you're born with. It’s a skill you can develop if you work on it.  - They prepare thoroughly. Even Steve Jobs spent 90 hours preparing for his keynote speeches. - The intro sets the stage. Plan it well. - People don’t like staying on the same slide for too long. Make 2-3 points and move on. - If you don’t outline the next steps, don’t expect any action after the presentation. - Don’t rely on memory to come up with great points on the spot. Plan and prepare ahead of time. I'm glad my mentor gave me this feedback, and I'm here to remind you not to let poor presentation skills impact your career growth. If this resonates with you, here are the four steps I follow every time I give a presentation. https://bit.ly/3yUy7Ud

I recently came across a new concept to me named "Think +2" Think +2 means considering how your communication will be understood and used two steps ahead. Whether it's writing an email, delivering a presentation, or engaging in a normal chat, Thinking like the boss of your boss is a game changer! It creates a strategic value, helps streamline processes and make sure everyone's on the same page. But "Think +2" isn't just about efficiency and communication forward looking, It can also boost your reputation at work by enhancing the following: 1️⃣ Leadership visibility: When you consistently think ahead in your communication, you position yourself as a strategic thinker, gaining recognition among leadership. 2️⃣ Building Trust: Being clear and forward-thinking earns trust from your colleagues. This reliability can establish you as a go-to person within your network. 3️⃣ Grow your Influence: Clear and forward looking communication makes your ideas more persuasive. People listen when you add value to any conversation. It’s proven that adopting "Think +2" mindset will make a big difference in enhancing your personal brand, positively impacting your value and reputation in your company. Try it and stay 2 steps ahead 😊 #yamenabdelaziz #thinkplustwo #career

Do you want to... Seamlessly engage your audience with your presentations? Have conversations that spark interest? Be compelling when you talk? Have a system to be structured and concise when you present? No matter how much you prep and practice that doesn't consistently happen? No matter how much experience you have it doesn't consistently happen? No matter how many additional qualifications you have it doesn't consistently happen? And despite giving it serious attention you can't figure out where the inconsistency is coming from? Here's the thing - if it was true that prep, practice and experience as well as higher level qualifications were the things that made you a great communicator then all experienced, prepped and qualified people would be smashing it. But just think about your organisation - I feel you may find some (millions!!) of exceptions to that rule. All of that is external work. It's not what creates a great leader or communicator - that starts on the inside with what you believe to be true about you and your worth to the team, clients and organisation. Once that is aligned then and only then can you build effective leadership communication skills. It's up to you - you can keep telling yourself that your success is dependent on you being prepped and practised and qualified. Or, you could acknowledge that it might be how you view yourself as a leader and the value you bring that is negatively impacting your leadership communication. I cover all of this and much more in my Influential Leadership for Women Coaching Programme which has three pillars: Clarity, Connection, Credibility In pillar 1: Clarity - I guide you to understand your unique value as a leader, how your inner critic's tricks specifically hamper your performance and how your default communication style helps and hinders your progress In pillar 2: Connection you'll rediscover how to connect to yourself, your body language and to your different audiences. In pillar 3: Credibility we will work on developing the most credible speaking voice for you and developing your personal thought leadership. DM me "IL4W" if you want to be an impactful speaker who can seamlessly engage her audience and have compelling conversations that spark interest, as I have a coaching solution that will help you.

Just recently finished reading "𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙤 𝙒𝙞𝙣 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄𝙣𝙛𝙡𝙪𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙋𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚" 𝙗𝙮 𝘿𝙖𝙡𝙚 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙚, and I’m reminded of its profound impact on personal and professional relationships. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to enhance their communication skills and connect more meaningfully with others. Here are a few key takeaways that stand out: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: Carnegie teaches us that listening is just as important as speaking. People appreciate when they feel heard and understood. 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹: Understanding and appreciating others’ viewpoints can create stronger bonds and foster collaboration. 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Acknowledging others' efforts, no matter how small, can boost morale and inspire greater productivity. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀: Remembering someone’s name is a simple yet powerful way to show respect and build rapport. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: Instead of criticizing, offer constructive feedback and support. This encourages growth rather than defensiveness. These principles have transformed my approach to networking and leadership, proving that genuine connections are the foundation of success. If you haven’t explored this classic yet, I highly recommend it! What insights have you gained from this book, or do you have other favourites on building relationships? Let’s share our thoughts! #Leadership #Communication #Influence #DaleCarnegie #Networking #PersonalDevelopment

The Most Underrated Skill You’re Overlooking (And How to Master It) There are an unlimited amount of self-help and business leadership books out there. 📖 And I spent years reading a crazy amount of them. But one of the least known, yet incredibly insightful and easy-to-read, is Change Your Questions, Change Your Life by Marilee Adams, Ph.D. Here are the Top 5 Reasons Reason #1: It reveals how most people ask terrible questions—questions that close off conversation, stifle collaboration, and make others feel unheard. Instead, it demonstrates how asking the right open-ended questions can transform a dull exchange into a meaningful, productive dialogue. Reason #2: It emphasizes the importance of active listening. The book doesn’t just stop at asking better questions; it shows you how to truly hear and understand the answers. This shift from waiting to respond to fully engaging with someone’s perspective is a game changer in both personal and professional relationships. Reason #3: It introduces a practical “Learner/Judger” mindset framework. By recognizing when you’re falling into a “judger” mode—being critical, defensive, or closed off—you can consciously shift to a “learner” mode that opens up opportunities, solutions, and better understanding. Reason #4: It gives you actionable strategies you can apply immediately. Unlike other books that rely heavily on theory, this one provides exercises and techniques you can use right away to improve your interactions. Reason #5: It serves as a gateway to more advanced communication skills. The book sets a solid foundation by improving your questioning and listening, which naturally leads to more skilled storytelling, allowing you to inspire and connect with others on a deeper level. If you are at all interested in improving your communication and leadership skills, I can’t recommend this book enough. (And if you’ve read it, do you agree? What other book would you recommend ?)

Great tips

"4. Use Minimalist Slides." All too often we try to cram every word, thought, and kitchen sink onto our slides. Don't forget that slides are a visual AID to help YOU better present your ideas. Best practice is to pull your presentation together first, then decide which points need help with a visual aid (i.e. a minimalist slide). After all, if you're just going to put everything you want to say onto your slides, why not just email the deck and save everyone from the awkwardness of the presentation? #APictureIsWorth1000Words #StayMinimalist

Steve Jobs - 6 Rules of Presentations #teams #people #leadership #sponsors #stakeholders #cmc #management #innovation #socialmedia #planning #business #csuite #executives #ceo #projects #projectmanagement #success #executivecoaching #growthmindset #planning #projectdelivery

This should be taught in all language classes.