perception

Erik Tyler | October 15, 2015 | 4 Comments

Words Can Be Sentences

Today’s COMMUNICATION Post – by Erik Tyler

Grammatically speaking, a sentence may consist of a single word:

Stop.

Duck!

Sing!

I separated those into separate lines to avoid the mental image that would come of combining them. Each of these sentences contains a verb, which we see, and an “invisible” (understood) subject — the audience to whom we are talking.

You’re fascinated, I’m sure. But that isn’t what I mean to talk about here. (And aren’t you glad?)

Now consider the following:

liar

pervert

lazy

ignorant

problem

selfish

These words are also sentences. They are not grammatical sentences, but rather sentences handed down in the courtrooms of the heart. They are issued by a judge to a party presumed guilty, scarlet letters with which we intentionally — or unintentionally — brand people. Sometimes for life.

Erik Tyler | October 1, 2015 | 4 Comments

Communication Style: A Feedback Experiment

Today’s COMMUNICATION post – by Erik Tyler

I’d like to start with a question. But before I pose that question, I want to encourage you to actually answer it. From the very beginning here on asmithblog.com, I’ve been championing the importance of experimentation in the learning process. In short, those who are willing to engage and take risks will remember and grow. Those who feel that experimental learning is beneath them, or that it is a waste of time – well, they won’t remember or grow, at least not nearly to the degree as those who are willing to be participants in the process.

And now for that question:

How would you describe
your communication style
in three words or less?

How would you describe your communication style in three words or less? Click To Tweet

Grab a piece of paper, a sticky note or your Notes app right now and jot down 1 – 3 separate words that you feel best describe your own communication style. As you assess yourself, determine to be neither unduly flattering nor modest. Being honest about both your strengths and weaknesses is essential to maximizing your potential.

Erik Tyler | September 24, 2015 | 4 Comments

Maximizing Your Personal Brand Part 4: Health

Today’s COMMUNICATION post – by Erik Tyler

This is the fourth and final installment (at least for now) in the series “Maximizing Your Personal Brand.” I trust that you have benefited from the previous posts in the series, and that if you have not yet read all of them, you’ll find some time to do so. It will complete the picture where personal brand is concerned. Here are those links, for your convenience:

Maximizing Your Personal Brand Part 1: Attire

Maximizing Your Personal Brand Part 2: Hair

Maximizing Your Personal Brand Part 3: Hygiene

Don’t skip over those too quickly. While the topics may sound simple, there is something for everyone in each of them (even those who are proudly sporting a bald head or who consider yourself squeaky clean).

In the event that you’re pressed for time, but have missed previous posts, let me quickly summarize one last time two key foundational concepts where personal brand is concerned:

Nonverbal communication extends beyond expressions and gestures.

The first impressions that you make happen before you even get a chance to speak; yet those impressions will often dictate how – or even if – people will receive your message.

First impressions can dictate how – or even IF – people will receive your message. Click To Tweet

You are your own personal brand.

This means devoting adequate time and resources to making sure that your identity remains unique, positive and memorable.

Make sure your personal brand remains unique, positive and memorable. Click To Tweet

With that, let’s look at one final area that significantly impacts personal brand. And in keeping with the other posts in this series, this isn’t just about the obvious stuff like workouts. So even if you hit the gym six days a week, keep reading. There’s something here for you.