Keynote: Some Boats Need to be Rocked

Productive conversations about things that matter

Playing it safe is not all it’s cracked up to be. Some boats need to be rocked – and if you go through life never making waves, you’ll live short of your potential.

If your office or organization has a culture of impervious compliance instead of inventive collaboration, you will operate in terminal mediocrity. That’s a colorful way of saying communicate, collaborate, or die.

It might be a quick demise or a slow painful passing – but either way, a single productive conversation could pave the way to a more promising future. A series of productive conversations is even more likely to keep you moving forward toward new levels of excellence.

Research is fascinating on this subject. If just one person offers an alternative view to “consensus reality” it frees others from “group-think” and results in overall increased authenticity and idea generation. And the research confirms that dissenting views don’t even need to be credible to get people started communicating more openly.

There is nothing safe about playing it safe

Some Boats Need to Be Rocked is about the fine art of productive boat-rocking.

Discover the three main clues that tell you it’s time to rock the boat.
Embrace the three stories you need to align before you open your mouth.
Learn how to say what you mean and mean what you say without being mean when you say it, and to inspire others to speak their truths as well.
Find out how dynamic life becomes as a result of skilled and creative boat-rocking.

Key takeaways from this session are:

The high cost of silence when something needs to be said
How to rock the boat without coming across as confrontational
How rocking the boat can increase job satisfaction and success
Why there is nothing safe about playing it safe

Some boats really do need to be rocked.

Interested in rocking the boat? Contact me, Meryl, for information about how to get involved with this great keynote.

Where to Start

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

Quick Start Communication Transformation Book Package

A simple way to start practicing The SpeakStrong Method is by ordering the Quick Start Communication Transformation Package. It contains three books that will get you moving right away.
PowerPhrases!PowerPhrases! is your best source of PowerPhrase principles, communication formulas and specific office and business phrasing advice. Many people tell me they use it as a reference book.
How to Use PowerPhrasesHow to Use PowerPhrases is more conversational and experiential than PowerPhrases! It’s designed to illustrate PowerPhrases in action.
SpeakStrong teaches the skills that make PowerPhrases possible!

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

This 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.

The SpeakStrong Method Vision

Our Vision: A World of Truth

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Margaret Mead, US anthropologist & popularizer of anthropology (1901 – 1978)

Imagine a world where everyone says what they mean and means what they say – without being mean when they say it. Where all communication aspires toward trust, mutual elevation, clarity and practicality.

Imagine a World of Truth

What is your vision of what a World of Truth could be like? You can take a look at our vision below.

A World of Truth

World of Truth Words

Imagine a world where everyone says what they mean and means what they say, without being mean when they say it.
Imagine a world where, as a child, you could talk about anything.
Grown-ups took time to listen with you.
And when you were upset with someone they helped you find the words to talk about it.
Imagine a world where you always know where you stand…
because people tell you, clearly, kindly, directly.
And in this world you really can believe what you read in the paper.
You really can count on people to do what they say they will
And a verbal commitment is as good as a written contract
Imagine a world where people are less concerned with the size of your bank account…
And more concerned with your sincerity and trustworthiness.
And where you can talk openly about sensitive issues while others listen with calm interest to what you say.
In this world, leaders are accountable to the people they serve, people are accountable to each other and blame and judgment have been traded for accountability and acceptance.
Can you imagine this world? Then make it real.
Find the courage, find the words

This can be the ever-increasing communication reality as people elevate their communication skills from competitive power-based structures to collaborative, synergetic dynamics. The SpeakStrong Method provides a systematic process to unfold effective communication skills as dynamic as our lives have become.

mean what you say