You've Got 8 Seconds: Communication Secrets for a Distracted World - Softcover

Hellman, Paul

 
9780814438305: You've Got 8 Seconds: Communication Secrets for a Distracted World
Softcover
ISBN 10: 081443830X ISBN 13: 9780814438305
Verlag: HarperCollins Leadership, 2018

Inhaltsangabe

The average attention span has dropped to 8 seconds. To break through to people, you need to focus on your audience, be slightly different, and deliver with finesse.

Every day at work, people do three things: talk, listen, and pretend to listen. Through fast, fun, actionable tips, You've Got 8 Seconds explains what works and what doesn't, what's forgettable and what sticks. With stories, scripts, and examples of good and bad messages, communications expert Paul Hellman reveals three main strategies:

  • Focus: Design a strong message - then say it in seconds
  • Variety: Make routine information come alive
  • Presence: Convey confidence and command attention

You'll discover practical techniques, including the fast-focus method that Hellman uses with leadership teams; how to stand out in the first seconds of a presentation; and 10 actions that spell executive presence.

Whether pitching a project, giving a speech, selling a product, or just writing an email, You've Got 8 Seconds will make sure you get heard, get remembered, and get results.

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Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Paul Hellman consults and speaks internationally on how to excel in high-stakes communications. His columns and advice have appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, CNBC.com, The Boston Globe's online Job Doc column, and on public radio's Marketplace and CNN's Business Unusual.

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In the next 24 hours, everyone in your organization—in every organization—will do one of three things:

1) Talk

2) Listen

3) Pretend to listen

When you present your ideas, do others pay attention? You could be speaking to a large group, meeting one-on-one, talking on the phone, sending an email . . . The average attention span, experts tell us, is now 8 seconds. After that, your audience will lose interest—unless you know how to stand out. You’ve Got 8 Seconds will show you how to get heard, get remembered, and get results.

You’ll learn how to employ three vital strategies, illustrated with fast, actionable tips, amusing stories, and examples of good and bad messages.

FOCUS doesn’t just mean to say less, but also to design a compelling message. You’ll discover several methods, including fast-focus™, a proven technique that helps executives and leadership teams make their essential points stick.

VARIETY means to be slightly different. With variety, you’ll make routine info come alive, you’ll engage others with smart, thought-provoking questions, and, if you’re giving a presentation, you’ll have new techniques to instantly capture everyone’s attention.

PRESENCE matters because there are certain people you listen to just because of their presence, and others you ignore. But what is presence? You’ll learn the 10 actions you can take right away to boost yours.

The next time you speak, others will either tune in or tune out. You’ve got 8 seconds—make them count.

Advance Praise for You've Got 8 Seconds:

“After reading the first few pages, I could not put it down. An insightful and refreshing book that is a treasure trove of useful techniques on how to communicate more effectively and to the point, with amusing real life anecdotes that keep the reader engaged until the last page. A must-read for the corporate world—and the real world!”—Jean Pierre Lacombe, Chief Global Markets, Head of IFC Research, The World Bank

“I loved the book and will recommend it to colleagues. Whether you're a grizzled CEO or a new associate, you'll benefit from Paul's practical ideas and strategies. I've read a number of communication books over the years, but this one exceeded my expectations. Thoroughly enjoyable.”—Bill Adams, Chief Investment Officer, Global Fixed Income, MFS Financial Management

“Great insight and advice to hone your communication skills for every situation. Invaluable for anyone with an important message to deliver.”—Steven Marshall, President, U.S. Tower Division, American Tower

“This book provides fresh, actionable advice on how to make your point quickly, succinctly, and memorably, so your ideas get through the deluge of non-stop information. On the flip side, since you, too, are probably inundated with emails, meetings, and presentations that just seem endless: Do yourself a favor. Give everyone you know a copy of this very practical (and funny) book. I know I will.”—Erin Deemer, Vice President, People Development, Biogen

“You’ve Got 8 Seconds teaches you to find the core of your message and make it memorable. Filled with powerful insights and humor, this is a must-read for anyone who wants to sell their ideas or themselves. I started using Paul's tools immediately, and urge you to do the same.”—Jon Peters, CEO, AthenaOnline

“Superb blend of practical tips, humor and storytelling. Paul provides real insights and memorable tactics on how to excel at communication in today's frenetic world. All presenters (and writers) should read this book.”—Marissa Poole, Head of Global Scientific Communication, Sanofi Genzyme

“I loved this book! Humorous and insightful—it's a great read and the advice is spot on. A must-read for leaders or anyone who wishes to inspire, motivate, or persuade.”—Kelly Courtney, Advocacy Strategy Advisor, United Nations

“Paul's book answers the question that should haunt all of us: 'In a noisy world, how do I ensure my message is heard?' For those fortunate enough to know Paul personally, his voice and years of experience echo throughout this book. The result is a practitioner’s dream—a useful, step-by-step guide on how to beat the noise and ensure people take notice.”—Michael Glass, Vice President, Talent Management and Development, Thermo Fisher Scientific

“Getting your message across in our information-saturated age is a real challenge. Paul Hellman's book is packed with great advice for leaders, and it's fun to read, too.”—Marshall Goldsmith, executive coach and New York Times-bestselling author of Triggers

“If you want to become an exceptional communicator, this is your how-to guide. It should be mandatory reading!”—Mark Jesty, Chairperson, IMS/Toronto

“You’ve Got 8 Seconds tackles everyday communication dilemmas in a straightforward, relatable and humorous manner. You'll find the strategies you need—and we all need this book more than we realize!”—Alison Quirk, Executive Vice President, State Street (retired)

“An easy, high-impact read that provides every executive with the tips and tools to effectively communicate up, down, across organizations, and with customers. With this book you'll maximize your impression on every audience.”—Dusty Tenney, President, Brooks Life Sciences

“Do you want to be remembered and get results? Paul's witty approach and insightful tips give you the communication strategies to get heard in a world of constant distraction. If you want to succeed in your business encounters, this is a must-read.”—Maureen Clang, Vice President, Leadership Development, Travelers

“There’s no time to waste when it comes to improving the effectiveness of your communications skills. You’ve Got 8 Seconds is a vital addition to your tool belt that I heartily recommend.”—Bill McGowan, author, Pitch Perfect

“You need to manage your professional brand. Use the tactics in this book. They work.”—Charles Miller, Senior Vice President, Leadership Development, Citi

“Paul provides a fast, easy-to-use approach to ensure that others get your message. His method helps you make your point quickly—and with greater impact.”— Sandy Rezendes, Chief Learning Officer, Citizens Financial Group

“Both practical and funny, it's a great read for anyone who wants to have more impact at work. Hellman has mastered the art of communication, and he lets you in on the secrets. Highly recommended.” —Tim Saeger, Senior Vice President, Engineering, iRobot

“The tips are invaluable and it’s a quick, fun read, with humor and personal anecdotes sprinkled throughout. This is a resource you'll turn to again and again for advice on the best communication techniques. Highly recommended!” —Stephanie Laguna, Executive Director, Strategic Market Planning, Kaiser Permanente

Paul Hellman consults and speaks internationally on how to excel at work in high-stakes communications. His columns and advice have appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, CNBC.com, The Boston Globe’s online Job Doc column, and on public radio’s Marketplace and CNN’s Business Unusual.

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You've Got 00:00:08 Seconds

Communication Secrets for a Distracted World

By Paul Hellman

AMACOM

Copyright © 2017 Paul Hellman
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-8144-3830-5

Contents

Should You Read This Book? What If You Don't Have Time?, xvii, 
PART I Capture Attention with FOCUS, 1, 
1. Say Less, 3, 
2. The Fast-Focus Method™, 11, 
3. Three More Ways to Focus, 29, 
4. Watch Your Words — and Your Emails, 33, 
PART II Capture Attention with VARIETY, 45, 
5. Be Slightly Different, 47, 
6. The Easiest Way to Explain Anything, 55, 
7 Stories: The 2.5 Step Method™, 59, 
8. Vary from Announce to Discuss, 69, 
9. Questions: How to Ask the Best — and Answer the Worst, 75, 
10. Presentation Tricks, 93, 
PART III Capture Attention with PRESENCE, 111, 
11. Act As If, 113, 
12. Ten Actions to Increase Your Presence: Assess Yourself, 117, 
13. Image: Communicate that You Look and Sound the Part, 121, 
14. Drive: Communicate that You Get Results, 131, 
15. Temperament: Communicate that You've Got the Right Disposition, 141, 
Conclusion: The Next Step, 157, 
Notes, 161, 
Index, 165, 
About Paul Hellman, 170, 
Free Sample Pages from Ask More By Frank Sesno, 171, 
About AMACOM, 180,


CHAPTER 1

Say Less


"In Maine we have a saying that there's no point in speaking unless you can improve on silence."

— EDMUND MUSKIE, former U.S. Senator and Secretary of State


Don't Over-Salt

Detail is like salt. You can always add more. (If others want more, they'll ask questions.) But once in, you can't take it out.

Consider what your audience wants to know. But also, and every bit as important, what they don't want to know — because they've got no time, no interest, they're preoccupied with 10,000 other things, and they'd gladly pay you a boatload of money if you simply didn't tell them.

"Describe yourself," one CEO asks job applicants, "in three words or less."

What would you say? Probably not "wordy and repetitive."

But how focused are you?

"You seem to have 29 ideas at once," an exec told one of his managers.

"And I feel like I'm hearing them all, right this minute."

Ever gotten feedback like that?

I work with several companies where executives, after taking a communication assessment, will gladly tell you their preferred styles. Each style has its own color.

Let's say you walk into an office and see the color red. That means, in essence, "Get to the point. Then get out."

But most execs aren't that direct.

Your boss probably hasn't asked you to say it in three words or less, or given you feedback about your 29 ideas, or flashed the color red in your face.

Maybe she hasn't said a thing about valuing conciseness.

Assume it.


Tell Them What You're NOT Going to Tell Them

There's mystery in what people don't say. Let's use that to our advantage.

When you ask someone, "How are you?" you get the mysterious answer, "Fine."

No one says, "Well, my spouse just ran off with the plumber, and ever since she left, I've been despondent. Also, the upstairs sink hasn't been draining properly."

But in other conversations, the border between what to disclose vs. what not to, gets murky.

I recently patrolled that border with a group of research scientists, while working on their upcoming presentations. Every presentation lives, or dies, at that border.

We all know what it's like to be in the audience. I often advise clients to imagine an unpleasant dental procedure.

Suppose your presentation is 10 minutes. That's a 10-minute procedure. And if you're one of eight people presenting that day, you'd need to multiply those 10 minutes by eight dentists.

That's a long time.

The Gettysburg Address, as you've probably heard at least 272 times, was only 272 words — two minutes. You wouldn't need a dentist for that, just a hygienist, cleaning and flossing at breakneck speed.

Wouldn't you rather your audience think That meeting was way too short, I wish there'd been another 37 PowerPoint slides! than the opposite?

Then consider, there are different ways to "tell."

You already know the value of a preview (tell them what you're going to tell them) and a review (tell them what you've told them), although it's shocking how seldom we use these tools.

Here's something different: Tell them what you're NOT going to tell them.

A research scientist could say, "I'm not going to tell you about each of the 278 validation studies we ran. Let's just say it was complicated." Message: We didn't just pull this data out of a hat.

When it comes to either information or dentistry, less is more.


To Say Less, Measure

Recently, I got a sports watch as a gift. The watch measures all sorts of things when you're out running, or walking, or getting carried away to the nearest hospital.

Sometimes, before it displays any stats, the watch adds a comment. But not always.

Suppose on Sunday, I walk out to the driveway and pick up the newspaper. No comment. Not even, "We can't believe you're up so early! Way to go!"

And even when it adds a comment, like after a four or five-mile workout, the watch seems unimpressed. "Nice effort," is all it says. I suspect it's being sarcastic.

But what I've noticed, since I've been measuring things, is that my workouts keep getting longer and longer. The act of measuring is not neutral; it changes behavior.

If you want to be more concise, let's measure that. Here's a possible workout:

* In one-to-one conversations, talk less than the other person. Instead of rambling on and on, ask at least one thought-provoking question per conversation.

* In meetings, speak in 30–60 second bites. Provide the headline news first, with details later, and only give details if asked. You'll be surprised by how much you can say in 30 seconds.

* When presenting, slim down to 10 PowerPoint slides or less. And occasionally, lose the entire deck (PowerPoint tips, page 102).


You get the point. I'd like to say more but, according to my watch, I've got to run.


Say More

You may have the opposite problem. "I've gotten feedback," a manager told me, "to speak up more at meetings."

"What stops you?" I asked him.

"Others in the room — they've got more experience and expertise. So I think, Why would they listen to me?"

Ever feel like that? Who hasn't.

It's an editing problem, really. You're at a meeting, you have a thought, but before you can say "hello," you edit yourself: "Is that really worth sharing?"

Over the years, as an author, I've worked with editors at several publishing houses. Editors range from very encouraging to very critical.

One day, I heard about an editor who was beloved for his glowing comments. "Brilliant!" he'd tell an author. "I just love your whole book."

Meanwhile, my editor at the time had just sent back my manuscript. Almost every page was marked up in red: "You lost me here." "Is this section really necessary?" "This whole chapter needs a lot of work."

So editors run the gamut. Let's talk about your editor, the one inside your head who determines what you say and what you don't, the "border guard on the line between thought and speech."

If your inner editor is too fierce, it's inhibiting. Try...

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Verlag
HarperCollins Leadership
Erscheinungsdatum
2018
Sprache
Englisch
ISBN 10 
081443830X
ISBN 13 
9780814438305
Einband
Taschenbuch
Auflage
1
Anzahl der Seiten
192
Kontakt zum Hersteller
Nicht verfügbar
Verantwortliche Person
gpsr@libri.de
gpsr@libri.de

Europaallee 1
Bad Hersfeld
36244
Deutschland