Words Matter – Communication Strategies for Success NorthStar Conference – October 2017

Think, Feel, Do… What I want you to think… What I want to you feel… Wow…there’s a lot to this communication stuff! What I want to you feel… Hopeful…I can get better at this! What I want you to do… Develop a plan for yourself

What We’re Going to Cover… Why Communication Matters Giving Direction The Power of And No More Negativity Anticipate the Need Advanced Degree Communication Model Personal Action Plan

Why Communication Matters "Developing excellent communication skills is absolutely essential to effective leadership. The leader must be able to share knowledge and ideas to transmit a sense of urgency and enthusiasm to others. If a leader can't get a message across clearly and motivate others to act on it, then having a message doesn't even matter.“ "Regardless of the changes in technology, the market for well-crafted messages will always have an audience.“ "If you have nothing to say, say nothing." "The day soldiers stop bring you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them.“ “You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can't get them across, your ideas won't get you anywhere.”

Why Communication Matters - Impact on trust - Importance of trust - Importance of a message/vision - Impact of starting over

10 Most Suspicious Phrases 1. If I’m honest… 2. Let me be clear… 3. Believe me… 4. The honest truth is… 5. The fact is… 6. To be fair… 7. In terms of… 8. The real issue is… 9. I understand what you are saying but… 10. In all honesty… Source: The Academy of Executive Coaching

Giving Direction Would/Could – is there really an option?? - Be clear on the expectations - Make it matter, make it simple, make it stick - Teach little; remember much

Crucial Conversations - Who likes having them? - Why are they important? - When to have them? - Where to have them? - How to have them?

The Power of “And” - Half full or half empty?? - Why it matters - Can two opposites both be true? - Big picture thinking

No More Negativity - No, but or however… - “Negative Nellie” - Impact on the work environment

Anticipating Needs Practice…work with a partner… - Answer the next question; anticipate the need - How can this go wrong? Practice…work with a partner… 1.) Aren’t the banks closed on Friday? 2.) I hear we are having an upgrade – will the system be down at all?

Newsflash You can’t make anyone do anything; they must decide to do it You can create consequences; they still decide You can influence; you can’t make it happen

Advanced Degree – The One You Don’t Want MSU What does it mean??

Making Stuff Up

Communication Model What’s My Ask? Data Facts Situation Overview Think What I The Story I’m Making Up in My Head Feel How the Situation Makes Me Feel What’s My Ask?

Personal Action Plan What aha did you have today? Using the Personal Action Plan handout, assess how you’re doing in each of the categories. Where can you use a little help? Make a plan.

Contact Info Sheri Johnson: 612-280-5589 Sheryl.Johnson@hcmed.org