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Practice makes you 60% better!

Be honest: when you have a challenging conversation ahead, how much time do you spend practising it? I mean really practising—sitting down, speaking out loud, positioning your hands as you want them, and using the appropriate tone of voice—as opposed to just thinking about how to approach it. I spent nearly ten years in sales, and I used to rehearse my negotiation skills in my car. While I was mentally preparing, I realized that wasn’t real practice. You truly need to say it out loud and act it out. Take it from someone who has spent a lot of time rehearsing like an actor. There are two forms of long-term memory to consider: 1. **Explicit Memory**: This type stores facts, events, people, places, and objects. 2. **Implicit Memory**: This retains perceptual and motor skills, such as riding a bike or typing on a keyboard. To recall explicit memories—like the script of your message—you need to consciously focus on the process of retrieval, which can be challenging. In contrast, implicit m...
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The Role of a Roleplay Actor

In the fast-paced world of business, communication and leadership skills are essential for success. One unique and effective tool for developing these skills is the role-play actor. If you're a business leader looking to enhance your team's performance and foster professional growth, understanding what a role-play actor is and how they can benefit your organization is an important step. This article will clarify the role of a role-play actor and highlight their significance in the corporate landscape. What is a Roleplay Actor? A roleplay actor, often referred to as an RP actor, is a professional who specializes in immersive character portrayal within specific contexts or scenarios. Unlike traditional actors who perform scripted lines, RP actors excel in improvisation and adaptability. Here are some key aspects that define the role of a roleplay actor: **Immersive Characterization:** RP actors are experts in fully immersing themselves in various roles and personas. They can auth...
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The do's of Presenting

A few weeks ago, I was asked to read a book to a group of children at my son's school. I decided to bring one of my favourite books, which is about all the things you can do with a cardboard box. Filled with excitement, I sat down in front of the group of 4- and 5-year-olds but soon felt a flutter in my stomach. That flutter quickly turned into a knot, and I suddenly realized, with a shock, that I was NERVOUS! I had a firm inner dialogue, telling myself that it was ridiculous to be nervous and that a group of 4-year-olds would be easy compared to the groups I usually face as a corporate trainer. Nevertheless, I still felt a bit uncertain. For anyone who enjoys group facilitation and presenting, the ultimate quest is to unlock the secrets of engagement. How do we engage others and keep them in that state? I'm confident in dealing with adults, but suddenly, engaging 20 kids with short attention spans felt like a daunting task. So, I decided to approach it just like I do with all ...
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How we help Leaders Learn more Deeply

David Kolb is an educational thinker whose ideas have endured. In the 1970s and 1980s, this learning psychologist developed an influential concept about learning that is commonly found in many of our Communication and leadership training courses. Kolb identified four phases of the learning process, which he represented as a cyclical model. According to him, anyone who wants to learn something must go through each phase of this cycle. Moreover, it's often necessary to traverse the cycle multiple times to achieve a deep understanding of the material. Learning more deeply means being able to remember what you've learned and apply it practically. This outcome of learning is valuable and easily recognized by anyone, regardless of their educational background. Kolb's four phases—concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation—are evident not only in our training courses but also in our unique role-play interventions with profess...
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How a Professional Role Player can help you become an Excellent Communicator.

  Remember the last time you moved house? You likely invested a lot of time in planning before the big day. You had to organize packing, wrap up matters from your old home, and set up your new place. Moving requires detailed planning. The same level of preparation is crucial when having a critical conversation with someone. Surprisingly, very few people take the time or effort to prepare before diving into these important discussions.  Take it from someone who has coached many in difficult conversations: do not just “wing it”!  Don’t convince yourself that you can handle sensitive topics without preparation. For instance, thinking, “I’m a pretty good communicator; I can just tell this person their contract won’t be renewed,” or “I can navigate this conversation with my director about her lack of vision.” And telling a colleague, “You really struggle with meeting deadlines,” definitely won't go over well. When conversations don’t go as planned, we often reflect on things w...
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Emotions at work? Yes please!

  "I was biting my tongue the whole time."   "Gosh, he makes my blood boil."   "I wish she would just get off my back."   "There is a knot in my stomach."   These are all common idioms that describe where emotions manifest in our bodies. We often notice these feelings during tricky conversations.   Interestingly, even though our bodies are sending us clear signals about what we are experiencing, we tend to ignore them. This is a missed opportunity since these signals remind us to tap into our communication skills and emotional intelligence.   What can you do?   - Do you notice tension in your body? Is your heart beating faster? This may indicate that the conversation is exciting or challenging. Ask yourself: What do I find exciting or difficult?   - State what you observe or feel. For example: "I notice my heart is beating fast, and there's a knot in my stomach. I feel uncomfortable."   - Ex...
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Actions Speak Louder Than Words

We often perceive Leadership Communication as a purely verbal and intellectual exercise, but that’s not the complete picture. Leadership Communication is less about the words you use and more about how you convey them. As you present your message, your physical presence plays a crucial role. Your body sends its own signals through gestures and tone of voice, which can differ significantly from your spoken words. Unfortunately, it’s often your body language that resonates more with your colleagues. This brings us to a fundamental truth: when it comes to body language, actions do speak louder than words. Your body language can either enhance or undermine your Leadership Communication. Your eyes, mouth, hands, head, and various body movements all provide insights into your mental state. While gestures can emphasize your points, excessive or exaggerated movements may come across as overbearing or aggressive when your intention was simply to appear "strong." Certain gestures, like...
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