Just Saying - The BRIEF Lab

The ugly reality is an errant word or simple comment is all it takes to send a conversation off track. Who’s to blame and how to avoid this painful problem? The post Episode 22 – Conversation highjacking appeared first on Just Saying .

What’s the hidden risk of repeating yourself? When people are easily distracted, it may be worth restating, reiterating or rephrasing. Just don’t overdo it (like I just did). The post Episode 21 – Is there power in repetition? appeared first on Just Saying .

Some comments can derail conversations and send people down a rabbit hole or over the edge. There’s wisdom to know when to keep your mouth shut, no matter how tempting saying one more thing might be. The post Episode 20 – Bite your tongue appeared first on Just Saying .

If you had to speak to an important, influential and busy executive, you’d expect brevity to be built in. Yet there’s a totally different (longer) standard when communicating with teammates, peers and subordinates. And it’s not ok. The post Episode 19 – Avoiding an audience double standard appeared first on Just Saying .

Very few people are good listeners and the majority get no formal training to improve this valuable skill. We’ve all felt the frustration talking to someone who isn’t really listening. So why is it so hard? The post Episode 18 – Why is listening so hard? appeared first on Just Saying .

In a world that’s always on, we feel drained. Ironically, we need to unplug to recharge. Finding critical moments for quiet in our day will help us gain peace, perspective and rest from the noise. The post Episode 17 – Quiet time appeared first on Just Saying .

We all know people that are longwinded, confusing and unclear. But there’s also a segment of professionals that needs to speak up and doesn’t say nearly enough. Let’s explore ways for them to find their voice. The post Episode 16 – Getting some people to talk more (not less) appeared first on Just Saying .

Leaders can be passionate, powerful and captivating. Nearly all of them are completely convinced that their explanations are crystal clear – and they’re not. The fallout can leave people excited, yet deeply confused. The post Episode 15 – Confident leaders don’t get it appeared first on Just Saying .

There’s so much to gain when dealing with past pressures and pain. By embracing and sharing stories of our own struggles, conflicts, failures and frustrations, we grow as real leaders that others can trust and follow. The post Episode 14 – The uncomfortable allure of a crucible story appeared first on Just Saying .

Kind words from a boss or client not only lift our spirits but also motivate and move us. We all need to learn to lead by improving how and when we show others succinct forms of flattery and encouragement.   The post Episode 13 – Leaders we all love deliver precise praise appeared first on Just Saying .

You feel the frustration being stuck in a long meeting only to realize that what was covered could have been better delivered in an e-mail. Determining the core criteria will help you make the right choice. The post Episode 12 – Knowing if a meeting should’ve been an e-mail appeared first on Just Saying .

Nobody likes to be the bearer of bad news, yet it’s part of everyone’s professional life. Taking great care to manage tough conversations can ease the pressure greatly. The post Episode 11 – Bearing the heavy burden of delivering bad news appeared first on Just Saying .

Learners need to learn to monitor early on warning signs that their organization isn’t aligned. Waiting and hoping to see positive results is not a strategy. Anticipate how initial disconnects can spell disaster. The post Episode 10 – Signs your team is not on the same page appeared first on Just Saying .

Becoming a better writer means learning to cut, trim and omit needless words. In an attention-starved world, concise writing means being ruthless on what really belongs and what’s just fluff. The post Episode 9 – Concise writers are ruthless redactors appeared first on Just Saying .

Delivering a convincing message is tough. Challenge yourself to define the gist in as few words as possible. It’s a game worth playing to boil it all down to the basics. The post Episode 8 – Great messages are as simple as 1-2-3 appeared first on Just Saying .

It’s no surprise that Elon Musk and Tesla have been on a roll. It started a decade ago with a clear and concise story declaring their purpose and plan. The post Episode 7 – Tesla’s not-so-secret strategy appeared first on Just Saying .

Some important insights on making the story your own versus sharing a half-hearted rendition. The post Episode 6 – Owning a message that’s important appeared first on Just Saying .

If you don’t know what your weaknesses are, you’ll never be able to conquer them. The post Episode 5 – Why people struggle to get to the point appeared first on Just Saying .

In this week’s episode, I discuss how people often confuse hoping for understanding with actually knowing if their message was received. I provide three key steps to ensure effective communication: making a clear and simple point, asking for feedback or playback from the audience, and connecting the message to what matters to them. The post Episode 4 – Hoping vs. knowing your point got...

Losing your temper is one the fastest tickets to becoming longwinded and a recipe for hurting your reputation. The post Episode 3 – Does a moment of anger make you rant and repeat? appeared first on Just Saying .

Getting overly enthusiastic can actually shine too much light on your new idea and blind people. The post Episode 2 – Pitching a bright idea appeared first on Just Saying .

Nobody loves going on a job interview. So, turning them into a confident and comfortable conversation will set you apart. The post Episode 1 – Job interviews: no time for an interrogation appeared first on Just Saying .