Influence plays a key role in our lives, shaping how we interact and succeed in different settings. Vanessa Bohns, a professor of organizational behavior and author of You Have More Influence Than You Think, explores this important topic in her work. In a recent conversation, she shared practical insights backed by research that can help you better understand and leverage your natural influence. Recognising Your Influence
Facilitation is a vital skill in today’s collaborative workplaces. In a recent interview with Pedram Parasmand, we explored the art of facilitation and how structured design can transform your workshops into engaging and impactful experiences. Pedram shared insights, strategies and practical tips that can help facilitators create workshops that engage participants and drive meaningful outcomes. This article highlights some of the key takeaways from our conversation. Whether you’re a trainer, team leader or educator, these principles will help you deliver sessions that resonate.
Storytelling is a powerful way to connect with others, especially in business. If you want to attract the right clients, learning how to tell your story can make all the difference. Why Storytelling Matters Stories help you connect emotionally with your audience. They build trust and show the real you. By sharing your story, you attract clients who resonate with your values and vision. As Susan Payton says, “Before people buy from you, they need to buy into you.”
In today’s busy world, strong communication skills are more important than ever. I recently spoke with Julian Treasure, an expert in sound and communication, who shared his insights on speaking and listening with purpose. Julian’s experience as a renowned speaker and sound expert offers practical lessons for anyone looking to communicate better. Meet Julian Treasure Julian is widely known for his powerful TED Talks, which have over 150 million views — and one is the sixth most-viewed of all time! His focus is both on speaking well and on listening effectively. As he says, “You always speak into a listening.” In other words, great communication isn’t just about talking; it’s about understanding who’s listening, too.
In a recent podcast interview with Carole Robin, Ph.D., we discussed the value of building exceptional relationships. Carole, co-author of Connect and a former Stanford professor, shared practical advice that can improve your personal and professional lives. Key Takeaways from Our Conversation: Understanding Relationship Types: Relationships can range from casual contacts to deep, exceptional connections. While not every relationship needs to be exceptional, focusing on strong, functional ones can make a big difference in your life. The 15% Rule: When sharing personal information, push slightly outside your comfort zone — about 15%. This helps build trust without overwhelming anyone. Characteristics of Exceptional Relationships: These relationships involve mutual understanding, trust, honesty, productive conflict resolution, and a commitment to each other’s growth. Clean Communication: Clear and specific communication is crucial. Carole shared a story about how this approach helped her children resolve a conflict, showing the importance of being direct and constructive. Turning Conflict into Growth: Conflict doesn’t have to be harmful. If handled thoughtfully, it can strengthen relationships, similar to the Japanese art of Kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired and made more beautiful. These are just a few of the insights Carole shared. To learn more about her strategies for building stronger relationships, I encourage you to watch the full interview.
Metaphors do more than add style to your language; they make your communication stronger and more engaging. In a recent session with Todd Cherches, we explored how metaphors can help us share ideas, connect with others and simplify complex topics. Here’s what we learned. Attention, Comprehension, Retention Attention: Metaphors catch people’s interest by presenting ideas in surprising ways. Todd used the concept of a “leadership weather report” to explain how leaders can impact team morale. He asked his client to think about whether he was a “cloud of doom” spreading negativity or a “ray of sunshine” that lifted people’s spirits. This approach helped the client realise that, just like weather affects everyone’s mood, a leader’s attitude sets the tone for the whole team.
In 2024, my book, Confident Presenter, was awarded Highly Commended in the Business Self-Development Book category at the Business Book Awards. And it all started with one quote: “The book that changes your life is not the one you read, it’s the one you write.” Daniel Priestley shared those words during a business accelerator I attended with Dent, his company. From that moment, the idea of writing a book began to take shape.
In this episode of the Ideas on Stage podcast we spoke with Dr. Vanessa Patrick. Vanessa Patrick, PhD. is an award winning researcher and teacher at the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston. She is a regular speaker at both academic and practitioner conferences and her research investigates strategies to achieve personal mastery and inspire everyday excellence in oneself and others. Her new book is The Power of Saying No: The New Science of How to Say No that Puts You in Charge of Your Life.