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Where to Start

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So… now what?

If you’re ready to take your communication skills or your company’s communication skills to a dynamic new level with the SpeakStrong Method, here are some ways you can begin.

Individual

power phrases

Quick Start Communication Transformation Book Package

This book package provides hundreds of practices to build your ability to say what you mean and mean what you say, without being mean when you say it. 

SpeakStrong Method Quick Start Intensive

SpeakStrong Method get startedThis five week skill and knowledge development program walks you through the 9-step process of The SpeakStrong Method in partnership with me, Meryl Runion.

Together we’ll set your communication aspirations, assess your current skills and practice communication kata to build your communication strengths and moderate your communication excesses. It includes

  • collaborative communication assessments
  • a collaborated report of findings
  • a plan of action including training in how to upgrade your communication action plan as you outgrow yourself
  • The Quick Start Communication Transformation Package
  • five phone collaborations with me

More information is here. Cost is $500 but you can now save $300 on this fantastic deal by using the coupon code ISpeakStrong.

 

Organizational

Quick Start Communication Transformation Book Package in Bulk

If you’re ready to create a communication culture by design, not default, why not get a copy of The Quick Start Communication Transformation Package for your employees? We offer hefty discounts on orders of books by the box.

Or, bring me, Meryl, in for your next event or for training.

Collaborative Communication Keynotes

My keynotes create a vision of how dynamic a collaborative communication can be.

  • They describe the trends in business communication today that require a new dynamic of communication and leadership at every level. 
  • They shine a light on where we’re not embracing our full communication potential. 
  • Finally, they offer concrete steps to start the process of creating cultures where individuals, teams and entire organizations collaborate without compromise.

The SpeakStrong Method Training

The SpeakStrong Method training walks attendees through the steps of the SpeakStrong Method. Groups or teams learn the mechanics and principles of collaborative communication.

Together we develop a shared vision of communication excellence, assess the existing culture, note discrepancies and create both individual and group reports of findings.

From there we establish plans and practices to create a deliberate communication culture of your organization’s own design.

Who benefits?

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Who can benefit from The SpeakStrong Method?

who benefits from The SpeakStrong MethodWho is the SpeakStrong method for?

Who will get the most out of these principles and practices of effective communication?

Is the SpeakStrong method for you?

The SpeakStrong Method is NOT for Everyone. 

If you’re looking for:

  • ways to gain the upper hand,
  • tips to get the competitive advantage over everyone else, and
  • tools to put other people squarely in their place…

…I can tell you right now, this method isn’t for you. That’s not what we do here at SpeakStrong.

Qualifying Characteristics

We work with professionals and organizations who are:

  • forward leaning,
  • mission-oriented,
  • adaptive, and
  • customer focused.

Our clients are looking for the cooperative advantage, the way to inspire people to their full potential and tools to dissolve the hierarchical silos that are barriers to collaborative communication and hence to success.

Qualifying Challenges

You’re a great candidate for our services if:

  • You’re a leader ready to trade dominance for collaboration and truly develop your people.
  • You’re a manager who wants to get your staff members and yourself on the same page.
  • You’re an executive assistant ready to develop a partnership approach with your employer and associates.
  • You’re a forward-minded individual in any position who knows there’s a better way to communicate than power games and posturing.
  • You practice lean, continuous improvement and/or Toyota Kata, and seek updated communication skills and phrases to navigate in alignment with your new paradigm.

Embrace the New Dynamics of Communication

Times are changing, and so is the way to relate, communicate and succeed. If you’re interested in continuous communication improvement to turbo-charge your personal productivity or the productivity of your team or organization, contact us.

The SpeakStrong Method provides effective communication skills to help you adapt, align and collaborate without compromise to increase your effectiveness, bottom line and work satisfaction.

The Method: Some tools

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What tools will you learn as you discover The SpeakStrong Method?

The SpeakStrong Method provides a plethora of tools for your communication journey. There are formulas, phrases and kata for skill development.

Take a look at what we offer.

tools for communication journey

1. Formulas

  • The Ultimate Communication Formula
  • The Make Your C.A.S.E. Formula
  • The F.A.C.E. Your Challenge Formula
  • Get A.D.E.P.T. at saying no

2. Phrases

  • Preformulated phrases
    • Phrases based on profession
    • and situation
    • Phrases based on intention
  • Tools to create your own phrases

3. Kata

  • The Magic Eye exercise
  • The probe
  • Forward focus
  • Stop, start, continue
  • Yes, and…
  • Attitude adjustment
  • Sarcasm fast
  • “Yes” fast
  • Pass the problem
  • Three questions
  • ABCD
  • Attractor factor
  • The gift that keeps on giving

These are just a few of the kata or practices available to the SpeakStrong Method practitioner. Each application provides data and direct experience for designing a new practice for the next step in the ongoing journey toward communication excellence.

Here’s a slideshare presentation about Communication Kata.

Communication kata

View more of my slideshare presentations

The Method: Principles of the practice

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What principles guide The SpeakStrong Method in practice?

principles of the practiceThe practice of the SpeakStrong Method is based on the following principles…

1. A compelling vision is an excellence magnet

2. Customer focus guides communication

3. Improvement is inherent and natural

4. Change happens when the vision is attractive enough and the steps are clear enough

5. Deliberate practice is the basis of improvement

6. Less effort yields greater results as long as it’s focused

7. There is strength in humility

8. Paradox indicates deep understanding

9. Shared visions unify teams and organizations

10. Obstacles are improvement opportunities

11. Great communication integrates three stories

These principles are fundamental to effective, dynamic communication. They are natural and become second nature once you learn to work with them through practice of the SpeakStrong Method. 

The Method: A nine-step process

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So how does The SpeakStrong Method work?

How does The SpeakStrong Method work?

Through alternating the study of the principles of effective collaborative communication with the practice of a nine-step process.

communication barrier 9-step processHere’s The SpeakStrong 9-step process…

1. Create a vision of communication perfection

2. Define the communication reality as it is

3. Compare the two

4. Set a short-term communication target objective

5. Decide on a first step – initial practice – toward that objective

6. Take the first step – implement the practice

7. Evaluate the result

8. Compare the new current reality to the target objective

9. Return to step 5 and repeat

Communication Barrier #7: Habit

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The first step in changing any behavior is to become aware of it

communication barrier habitWhile developing effective communication skills, many of us realize that we have learned defensive or offensive communication practices that we are unaware of.

These communication habits often cause communicators to defend against non-existent attacks. Communication habits are not only automatic, but often unconscious, which makes them all the more difficult to change.

The SpeakStrong Method

  • identifies individual, relational and organizational communication cultures and the communication habits that make up those cultures.
  • provides communication standards to aspire to, to make existing habits apparent by contrast.
  • provides tools and skills to find alternative ways to communicate so when you abandon a bad habit, you have a skill to replace it with. 

Communication Barrier #6: Impatience

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The SpeakStrong Method addresses long-term and immediate communication needs

communication barrier 6Impatience and a desire for quick fixes can be a barrier for long-term communication development. The development of effective communication skills takes time, and rushing the process can inhibit experimentation with new communication tools and approaches.

The SpeakStrong Method addresses immediate communication needs by providing powerful phrases and formulas that can be applied immediately and ease the sense of urgency while the skills develop.

The main focus of The SpeakStrong Method is long-term communication development, with continuous improvement at every step.

Communication Barrier #5: Perfectionism

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The SpeakStrong Method puts perfection in its place

communication barrier perfectionismPerfectionism assumes a single right answer and evaluates expressions and input based on whether they stand as the perfect view or explanation. This inhibits creative communication by critically evaluating undeveloped expressions.

Life is messy sometimes, and it’s those who are willing and able to wade through the messiness who have the breakthroughs that make a difference.

The SpeakStrong Method respects process as much as outcome, and honors even ineffective attempts to communicate at greater levels of authenticity, clarity and sincerity. It uses failed attempts at communication as learning opportunities for the next communication endeavor.

Perfection has its place – as a vision to strive for. Imperfection has its place as well – as a stepping stone toward the next level of authentic expression and understanding.

The SpeakStrong Method puts perfection in its place. 

Communication Barrier #4: Abdication to external authority

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The SpeakStrong Method empowers your personal authority

communication barrier 4We receive extensive conditioning to believe that there is a single right answer to every question, and to abdicate to the “voice of (external) authority“. When our own perception and reason contradict what we are told, our subjective observations and experiences are too often negated rather than considered and integrated.

This leads, not only to withholding communication, but refraining from even considering what our own perception and reason tell us. Many people have become so skilled at supporting “consensus reality” that they don’t even know what they think, feel and want.

This dynamic is changing, in many ways due to global competition, Gen X and social media, but needs to change more quickly to keep up with the pace of business today.

The SpeakStrong Method differentiates between declarative communication that affirms a single right answer, and generative communication that allows room for alternative views and the surfacing of data and ideas that don’t align with a dominant theory.

This empowers people to give voice to their own perceptions, which adds to the collective knowledge.

Communication Barrier #3: Fear

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How does fear hold you back from expressing your true nature?

communication barrier fearMany people don’t speak up due to fear. Whether your current way of communicating works for you or not, at least it’s familiar.

Communicating in a new way puts you at unknown risks. While often people discover their fears are unfounded, sometimes fear of trekking into unfamiliar territory is an indication that you’re not ready to handle a situation or deal with the potential consequences.

The SpeakStrong Method respects and learns from fear, and develops new skills to move beyond fear to face the unfamiliar with a sense of adventure.

One effective antidote for fear is humor, which is one reason why I have the following “interview” with Bunny Bubbles, the “Acting Director of the Center for Lowered Expectations”.  Enjoy it! You probably know someone who communicates teh way she recommends.  

 

Excitement is the experience of fear at its best. Skill and experience create a sense of self-efficacy that turn the fear of communicating more authentically and potentially rocking a boat into excitement about possibilities.