The power of the story – a TED talk

Here is a great example of the power of a story to enhance your message.

In this TED talk, David Kelley shares with the audience both his own experiences as well as experiences of people that he has met during his life.  These are stories that resonate and add impact to his message.   Read More →

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Don’t hold back – don’t be held back

Today my guest contributor, Paul Dillon, writes about the importance of effective communication skills in the workplace.

In a change driven, high-tech, high speed workplace the focus in recruitment and advancement is very much on academic qualifications and IT skills.

It is a given that excellence in any field is a pre-requisite and people of academic learning and excellence are abundant.  But all this is like the sub-surface bulk of an iceberg; the unseen ballast and power.

In the workplace, the visible ‘tip’ can be just as important.   Read More →

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Four steps to creating an outline for your proposals and reports

Business Writing SkillsDo you find it difficult to begin the writing process for your business documents, especially reports or proposals?

Have you ever found yourself in one of these situations?

  • You have limited time to complete your document
  • You’re not clear as to what you need to produce
  • You have too much information and sifting through it all is wasting time   Read More →
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Storytelling in a presentation

Do you remember stories from your childhood?  Was there a message behind each story?

Do you remember it?

Many of us would answer yes to these questions.  Storytelling has been used for centuries to pass on important information.

It has relevance today even in the business world.  Read More →

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What does leadership mean to you?

As part of my research for a book that I’m writing on leadership I’m interviewing people who have shown leadership qualities yet may not be well-known outside of their sphere of influence.

Here is an extract from an interview with Paul Dillon – a community leader in the Parramatta area of NSW, Australia.

Paul has kindly shared his experiences and observations from his varied leadership roles.   Read More →

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How Great Leaders Inspire Action

Here is a video from TED on how great leaders inspire action.

Simon Sinek presents a simple but powerful model for how leaders inspire action, starting with a golden circle and the question ‘Why?’

His examples include Apple, Martin Luther King and the Wright brothers. Read More →

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Three essential qualities of high-performing teams

There are many parallels in life.  Our experiences in one area of our life can often assist other areas.

Being part of a sports team sport brings experiences and lessons that can be readily applied to the business world.   Read More →

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What is your frustration factor?

Is there a situation that you’ve been meaning to deal with but have been avoiding?

It could be anything from dealing with nerves when having to speak in front of a group to looking for a new role or even communicating more effectively with a client or colleague.  Read More →

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Writing a resume – points to consider

Now is the time of year when many people consider updating their resume for the possibilities that may lie ahead.

Are you one such person?  Do you have a particular role in mind?  If so, how will you communicate that you’re the right person for that role?  Read More →

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2012 – Your Year of Success

Happy New Year!

2012 has arrived and it’s at this time of the year many people make New Year resolutions that within weeks are forgotten.

Now is the time to set goals for the year ahead as opposed to resolutions.   Read More →

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