Heroic Voice - Blog #Heroic Voice

The key to Successful Communication is listening.

Wed, 02 Oct 2019 15:40:54 -0700

The key to Successful Communication is listening.

One of the most important things we need to learn when working on our communication skills is that effective communication is not just about how well we say what we want to say, but it is even more important for us to focus on how well we are connecting with our audience and our needs.

Too often when working on one's communication skills people focus on the message and how well they can deliver it. Although this is important it is also only 1/3 of effective communication. The other 2/3 of effective communication has to do with your audience.

We train our clients here at Heroic Voice Academy we teach everyone a simple concept called the Connection Triangle™. By helping our clients understand that communication only truly happens when you have a complete Connection Triangle they learn that they need to focus on their audience more than just on their message.

And how does one go about learning to focus on their audience? By learning to listen; listen to what they audience wants to know, listen for what questions the audience wants to have answered, listen to what concerns the audience has that brought them to that meeting or event, and listen to what the audience thinks in in it for them, their WIFM.

Delivering your message well is important, but delivering your message in a way that connects with the audience and connects the audience to the message means you truly have achieved communication.

And how does one go about learning to focus on their audience? By learning to listen: listen to what they audience wants to know, listen for what questions the audience wants to have answered, listen to what concerns the audience has that brought them to that meeting or event, and listen to what the audience thinks in in it for them, their WIFM.

Delivering your message well is important, but delivering your message in a way that connects with the audience and connects the audience to the message means you truly have achieved communication.

The Importance of Personal Growth

Tue, 05 Feb 2019 13:04:55 -0800

Personal Growth: The important "WHY" in my life

To me, personal growth is the choice we make to improve self-awareness, our unique identity, talent, money and finances, and skills to be ready for opportunities that allow us to establish, enhance, and live the quality of life we choose!

Blog author: Mamie Lamley

I was at an Anthony Robbins event when I first heard, “If you aren’t growing, you’re dying!” That one remark, set me on fire, and sent me on a personal development path that I continue to be on even at age 57.

Growing up, I knew I always wanted to be a teacher. As I completed my college degree, what I came to realize was that my true passion was really taking part in impacting and changing peoples’ lives so that they could see the potential and power within themselves.

Today, I’ve learned that opportunity lies in being a life-long learner, influencer and an empowered leader! Though my ongoing education, I have learned that the following are what helped me to truly understand that if “I AM not growing, then I AM dying!”

1. Awareness & Understanding

When I am training, the area I begin with is self-awareness and self-understanding. It’s doing everything I can to realize my full potential and it includes knowing M.Y.S.E.L.F.

M Me & Mine. Know when I am contributing, it benefits both Me and Others!
Y: Yearn. Knowing that what I yearn for, is the purpose in which I live and act!
S: Simple and Share. Keep it simple, and share it so others can thrive and prosper!
E: Energy. Everything is energy, and where focus goes, Energy Flows, and results show!
L: Love. Love it or leave it!
F: Follow your heart.

2. SMART Goal Setting

Goals help to enhance the quality of our lives and keeps us on track to achieving the lifestyle style we desire and deserve. Throughout my life, I have lived life intentionally by keeping my goals specific, measurable, actionable, relevant and time-bound. When I am about to accomplish a goal, I set a new one. I know I drive people crazy with my time-management skills, but it is the one thing that I know has kept me on track to where I am, and where I am going in my life! Although I sometimes get side-tracked, I know that everything I have set my heart and mind on, I have achieved ten-fold. I could not have done it without goal setting!

3. Commitment to Action

There are over one million results when you type in the keywords “Ready, Fire, Aim” and it is these words that spur me to just “Take ACTION!” Not just any action, but action that aligns with my personal and business goals!

A commitment to take full responsibility for my vision, mission, and goals! In my personal and personal development path, I choose to change something in my life every day. I’ve learned to extend myself into new areas that challenge me and add to my growth personally and professionally.

In fact, at 4:00am this morning I awoke and had this urge to learn something new, so I went on-line and took a class in Google Keyword Planner and started this blog!

Taking ACTION is important for our growth. As a Karma Krew Member for Success Resources Global, I have learned not to ask, “Can I” but to ask, “How can I?” Followed by “What else is awesomely possible” or “How does it get any better than this!”

In my business, I have I don’t just have a “things to do list” I have a “Wealth Generating Commitments List.” When I am in this mode, my specific actions are to prioritize and generate revenue for my business. If not, the activity goes to my “wish list” to do later.

4. FOCUS-Consistency

As you can see “commitment to action” is important, yet FOCUS(Following One Course Until Successful) with Consistency is the “game changer.” How many of you are guilty of the “shiny objects syndrome?” I have been guilty of it. Had I just focused on my course as a trainer and speaker, I know I would have been well into my “personal power” a long time ago.

CONSISTENCY is the true action of FOCUS. To be consistent is to have the simple patience to stick with what we are doing so we can move in the direction we want to achieve. It requires the belief in ourselves, that we can and will go THROUGH the finish-line instead of going TO the finish-line. And lastly, that we believe what we bring to the table is valuable and beneficial for all!

Since I’ve chosen to consistently focus on my training and speaking business, many opportunities are presenting itself, and champion my cause in “making a difference in the world” and getting paid to do it!

5. Dedication

I believe in dedication through experience, exposure, and education. Success comes through our individual personal growth plans that align with a powerful TEAM. Our contribution focuses on our collaborative mission, vision, coaching, and mentoring. Our personal truths, reflection, and our ability to act, encourages us to have a positive mindset and the courage to be authentic, so we all can accelerate our awareness and momentum into self-actualization!

When we “do” we “become” the Warriors of Change that we desire!

The Power of Vision

Fri, 01 Feb 2019 10:57:21 -0800

AP File Photo

How Dr. King helped America visualize the future

As a leader and visionary, your audience counts on you to have a clear vision of the future. One that is clearer than the vision they have for themselves. Your audience may have several abstract images in their mind. Your job as a leader is to turn those abstract images into concrete pictures.

How can you convert the abstract images of your audiences into concrete pictures that inspire them into action? Let's examine the pictures that Dr. Martin Luther King used to help America visualize the future.

“And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you.

But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people,

will get to the promised land!”

In his speech “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop”, Dr. King claims to have seen the Promised Land, a vision of what America could become. What images did he visualize, and how did he use these images to help America visualize the future?

5 years earlier, Dr. King described several images in his iconic speech “I Have a Dream”. He began by sharing abstract images that described the values of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. He continued with concrete examples, rich with details that sparked the emotions and imagination of his audience.

AP file photo. The King family in 1966 in a last official portrait.

Image #1: My Four Little Children

“My four little children will one day live in a nation

where they will not be judged by the color of their skin

but by the content of their character."

Like all parents, Dr. King wanted to create a better future for his children. He raised his children in a time when Americans were judged by the color of their skin. His children would see and experience discrimination, segregation and violence.

Dr. King turned his abstract image of “better future” into a concrete snapshot. He imagined a future point in time when his children would walk into a formal gathering and experience something very different.

He saw his sons wearing well fitted suits and his daughters wearing beautiful dresses. As they enter the room, the people inside would recognize the character of each child. Defined by the positive impact that they have created in the world.

Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton. June 2, 2010

Image #2: The Table of Brotherhood

“Sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners

will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.”

At a time when segregation was taking place in schools, neighborhoods, and the workplace, Dr. King wanted to bring Americans together in the places where we learn, where we live and where we work. When these places are filled with diversity and inclusion, we create a world that works for everyone.

Fast forward to a 2010 event at the White House, featuring Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney.

Stevie Wonder represented the “sons of former slaves”. His mother was born in Eufaula, AL, a town that authorized $150,000 in funding to purchase slaves for railroad construction in 1859.

Paul McCartney represented the “sons of former slave owners”. He was born in Liverpool, England, a city where British slavers shipped 1.5 million Africans across the Atlantic in the 18th century.

Dr. King envision black men and white men sitting together at a table. While Dr. King's vision of brotherhood did eventually come true, it laid the ground work for more possible collaborations for the future. He may have also envisioned a day when two world class musicians would collaborate and perform their song “Ebony and Ivory”, to integrated audiences everywhere.

Photo: Department of Education. May 6, 2014

Image #3: Children Hand in Hand

“Little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands

with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.”

At the time of this speech, the Supreme Court had outlawed segregated public education facilities (1954). The Civil Rights Act (1964) outlawed any state and local laws requiring segregation. The enforcement of these laws was extremely difficult and filled with racial tension.

When children from different cultures grow up as sisters and brothers, they are able to learn together, and be prepared for a day when they would teach together and lead together. Dr. King’s vision manifested into student diversity in the classrooms, teacher diversity in public schools, and leadership diversity in the U.S. Department of Education.

Visualize a picture of the ideal future

Use pictures to communicate your vision

In our workshop "Be A Heroic Voice", we show you how to communicate your vision, your values and your vows in every high stakes conversation. Here is a three step process for communicating your vision:

IDENTIFY

Describe the world problem that you are dedicated to solving

CAPTURE

Become a photo journalist and travel to a location where the problem exists.
Take a "before snapshot" and describe why this is a problem.
Identify the core values that are missing from the photo.

VISUALIZE

Travel to a time in the future, after you've solved the problem.
Take an "after" photo, and highlight specific details.
Describe the feelings that you and your community experience in the photo.

Our Heroic Invitation

In our 2-part workshop Be a Heroic Voice program, you will learn how to create your own set of concrete pictures that will move your audiences into action. With these pictures, you will be able to engage the hearts and minds of your audiences and confidently ask for their support.

We count on our leaders to have a clear vision for the future.

Use your Heroic Voice to communicate trust, create connection and build relationships.

Together, we can build a world that works for everyone!

Heroic Mindset

Wed, 09 Jan 2019 20:19:49 -0800

The 8 principles you need to follow to become a World Class Presenter and Communicator.

World class presenters are very intentional with what and how they communicate. They create an atmosphere of trust and are able to unite perspectives. Here are 8 principles that will help guide what you say and how to say it.

The 8 Principles

Feedback

There is no failure, only feedback. Incorporating feedback from mentors, peers, and your audience are the keys to the consistent generation of presentation ROI. Our feedback framework allows you to lock in best practices, eliminate inefficiencies, and access creative expression.

Rapport

Resistance from an audience is a sign of lack of rapport. There are no resistant audiences, only inflexible communicators. Whenever audience interest and attention dissipates, the presenter’s first priority is to reestablish rapport.

Response

The meaning of communication is the response you get. Choosing the right words and sentences is only the first step. Delivering them well is the second step. The final step is ensuring that your audience receives them positively.

Ecology

Great presentations are written to ignite a change that produces a change that is ecological. The change must be good for all the parties involved, producing a world that works for everyone. This includes the speaker, the audience, and the global community. Quite often, these changes represent a return to the core values of society.

Worldview

Respect the other person’s model of the world. Meet the audience where they are. One of Stephen Covey’s 7 habits is “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” A professional presenter invests significant time to understand the audience. Their information comes from audience research, and audience interaction during presentations.

Map

The map is not the territory. The words we use are not the event or item they represent. One word can mean something completely different for each member of your audience. When bringing your audience into new territories of knowledge, teach to all learning styles, establish common vocabulary, and verify comprehension regularly.

Flexibility

The person with the most behavioral flexibility will control the presentation room. Great presenters can deliver flawlessly during rehearsals, but no amount of rehearsals can completely prepare for an interaction with a live audience. Behavioral flexibility includes humor, improv, confidence, and composure.

Choice

All presentations are designed to increase choice. When designing a presentation to spark change, be sure to leave the audience with the choice to change. Resistance comes when the audience is left with no choice. Agreement comes when the audience resonates with the values and vision being presented and chooses to change.