Thank you, Woman’s World Magazine! Your April 16 article, “Magic Words that Guarantee Success” featuring expert communication trainer and dealing with difficult speaker Dan O’Connor was excellent. Here’s a snippet: “It may sound counterintuitive, but if you want to get your idea noticed by that hard-to-please VIP, don’t say you have an idea! “ ‘Idea’ is vague and [...]
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Dan’s Communication Blog
As Seen In Woman’s World Magazine
Sunday, April 29th, 2012 | by Dan OEffective Communication Power Phrase: “The Surrender”
Thursday, April 19th, 2012 | by Dan OWould you like the people you work with to be more fair and flexible? Remember the communication truth: It is only what you are not giving that can possibly be missing from this relationship. That said, if you want people to be more flexible with you, be more flexible with them. In other words; surrender [...]
What to Do When Someone Interrupts You (How to say “SHUT UP!”)
Wednesday, April 11th, 2012 | by Dan OWhat is the most common starter phrase people use as a reaction to being interrupted? If you thought “Excuse me,” or “I’m sorry,” you’re exactly right. Most people start their response with these two phrases, and most people are not effective at maintaining the communication floor. If you want to be a more assertive (or [...]
Danger Phrase: “You said…” Power Phrase: “I understood…”
Tuesday, March 20th, 2012 | by Dan OSometimes we need to clarify messages before we respond, but using danger phrases such as, “you said,” can sabotage our success. Keep in mind that human beings think they’re saying something other than what they’re really saying over 50% of the time. Therefore, saying to someone, “You said…” increases that person’s self-talk, increases the odds [...]
Avoiding Passive-Aggressive Communication: “Hostile Questions”
Thursday, March 1st, 2012 | by Dan OMany people aren’t clear as to what “passive-aggressive” really means. To put it in the simplest of terms, when you engage in passive-aggressive behavior, it’s your intention to punish someone–or to be aggressive–but just not be up-front about it. For example, putting a difficult customer “on hold” while you go have a cup of coffee [...]
Non-Verbal Communication Tip of the Day: Avoid the “Crazy Eyes”
Wednesday, February 29th, 2012 | by Dan OEye contact is good; too much eye contact is bad. Direct eye contact held for more than seven seconds is a form of aggressive behavior. Sure, in the US we’re all trained to look one another in the eye while communicating. As Americans, however, we also have one of the most aggressive communication styles on [...]
Body Language Tip of the Day: Watch Your Head Tilts
Monday, February 27th, 2012 | by Dan OAssertive communication and body language go hand in hand. If you sometimes feel as though people aren’t taking your message seriously enough, make sure that when you’re engaging in assertive communication, you are aware of how your head is tilted. When you are delivering an assertive message, such as, “John, I do want to hear [...]
Power Phrase for Email; STOP CCing ME!
Friday, February 24th, 2012 | by Dan ODo you ever find yourself “trapped” in an email CC that goes on and on and on, and you think to yourself, “Why am I being CC’d here?” It’s sometimes difficult for us to set boundaries in emails without sounding harsh or aggressive. That’s why we all need a few email power phrases to help [...]
Why Would I Dress Up for Work?
Thursday, February 23rd, 2012 | by Dan OWhat is your wardrobe saying about you? What are your work outfits communicating about you? Many times we think, “Why would I dress up for work? It’s just work. Besides, it’s casual Friday.” Do you dress up for a first date? Do you dress up for a holiday party? Do you dress up for a [...]
DANGER PHRASE: “Our Policy” Free Communication Training Video
Tuesday, September 20th, 2011 | by Dan ONew FREE VIDEO TRAINING session. Click Here to Watch This Video. DANGER PHRASE: “Our Policy.” Have you heard this or said this at work at the beginning of your sentences? Don’t make that mistake again. In today’s effective professional communication training lesson delivered by expert communication trainer and motivational keynote speaker Dan O’Connor, you’ll learn [...]