People believe in great communicators because great communicators believe in people.
Happy Friday, Brew Nation!
Grab your favorite coffee cup, sit back, relax, and get ready to sip on some enriching and thought-provoking content that will equip you to thrive in all areas of your life:
- Stay Strong – Throughout life, we often find ourselves caught in patterns that influence our thinking and behavior. Take a moment to reflect on whether you resonate with the following cycle:
Relax: When things are going well, it’s natural to let our guard down. We may become less attentive to the essential disciplines that propelled us up the hill, resulting in a plateau, or worse, backsliding.
Regret: The aftermath of relaxation often leaves us frustrated and self-critical. We beat ourselves up for knowing better and allowing complacency to hinder our progress.
Refocus: Both individuals and organizations recognize the need for a wake-up call at this stage. Organizations may resort to budget cuts or downsizing, while individuals realize the importance of getting back to the gym or reestablishing healthy, productive disciplines.
Regrowth: By refocusing, we set ourselves up for regrowth. However, it’s crucial to recognize that each time we go through this cycle, regrowth becomes more challenging. At this stage, we often pledge to ourselves, “I won’t let that happen again!”
Undoubtedly, you find yourself at one of these stages in the cycle right now. The key lies in implementing systems and processes that minimize the time spent in the first three phases. It’s about embracing discipline as the antidote to regret: “Do what you need to do, when you need to do it, even when you don’t FEEL like doing it.” Prioritize your focus over feelings and eliminate distractions that tempt you to relax for too long.
- Think Positively – “We are what we consume.” This statement extends beyond just what we eat and encompasses the content we engage with daily. What we read, listen to, and watch has a profound impact on our minds and spirits. Recognizing this, I recently took the time to prune my social media feed, specifically on Instagram, to remove negativity and distractions. As leaders, we cannot afford to fill our minds with fear-inducing content designed to disrupt our focus. Instead, let’s explore some inspiring and encouraging accounts that I have recently followed:
@visualhustles: This account offers daily visuals aimed at elevating your life and mindset. With simple yet thought-provoking illustrations, it provides a fresh perspective and encourages personal growth.
@bookthinkers: For those seeking life-changing book recommendations, this account is a treasure trove. Dive into their daily suggestions and embark on a journey of intellectual and personal development.
@jongordon11: Follow Jon Gordon, the bestselling author of “The Energy Bus” and numerous other impactful books. His account provides a wealth of leadership insights and motivation to help you thrive.
@tedlasso_inspo: If you enjoyed the Apple TV series “Ted Lasso,” this fanpage is a must-follow. It showcases uplifting highlights from the show, sure to lift you up!
@michaelkory: Looking to explore healthier eating options? Follow this account for high-protein and low-calorie recipes. I have personally tried many of them.
Now, I’d love to hear from you! Share in the comments the accounts of inspirational, encouraging, and equipping people that you follow. Let’s create a space where everyone can grow and expand their horizons!
| Are you aware that The Champions Brew explores various topics that I frequently coach and consult on with other leaders and organizations? If you or someone you know is seeking to elevate their business or personal life from underperforming to uncommon, I would love to connect with you and discuss 1:1 or group coaching, as well as performance consulting. In fact, click the following link to schedule a FREE CALL to explore how coaching could benefit you and your team. Let’s work together to unleash your full potential and achieve your goals! |
Quality #4 – Communication
Without It You Travel Alone
In the words of John Maxwell, “Educators take something simple and make it complicated. Communicators take something complicated and make it simple.” Effective communication is not about showcasing your vocabulary or confusing your audience with complex jargon. It’s about clarity, simplicity, and inspiring action.
In my book collection, I have one titled My Fellow Americans – The Forty-Five Greatest Speeches of U.S. Presidents, a cherished gift from my mother. Two presidents stand out as exemplars of great communication: Ronald Reagan and Abraham Lincoln. These remarkable leaders captivated with their powerful words and profound impact. Here are a couple of the unique traits that I believe made Reagan and Lincoln exceptional communicators, leaving an indelible mark on history.
- Former President Ronald Reagan was often hailed as the Great Communicator. What set him apart? Let’s explore six key aspects of Reagan’s communication style that I think made him an exceptional leader:
a) Firm Set of Beliefs: Reagan’s beliefs were deeply ingrained, honed through his experiences as an actor, radio announcer, and governor. This unwavering foundation gave him the confidence to communicate with conviction.
b) Practice, Practice, Practice: Reagan had extensive practice as a spokesperson for General Electric. He estimated that he had thousands of hours of speeches across the country for GE. Great communicators don’t just study speeches; they actively engage in communication to refine their skills.
c) Archiving his Work: Reagan’s prolific writing, including hundreds of radio commercials, created a treasure trove of his own thoughts. His speechwriters had access to this wealth of material, often penned in Reagan’s own hand, enabling them to capture his authentic voice.
d) Conveying Deep Optimism: Reagan’s love for his wife, family, and country shone through in his speeches. He exuded hope and optimism, qualities that resonate with audiences and improve one’s influence as a communicator.
e) Storytelling: Reagan skillfully employed stories, particularly from American history, to convey his messages. Relevant and relatable stories have the ability to captivate and inspire listeners.
f) Finishing Strong: Reagan’s speeches often concluded with a compelling call to action. His iconic words, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” exemplify his ability to leave a lasting impact and motivate others to take action.
2. President Abraham Lincoln, known for his masterful communication skills, demonstrated the power of simplicity. In a pivotal moment, he composed a concise message to General Grant, showcasing the effectiveness of clear and uncomplicated communication:
Lieut. Gen. Grant,
Gen. Sheridan says, “If the thing is pressed, I think that Lee will surrender.” Let the thing be pressed.
A. Lincoln
Lincoln’s ability to distill complex decisions into straightforward messages is a lesson we can all learn from.
In a world filled with information overload, simplicity and clarity in communication can be uncommon traits. By emulating the techniques of great communicators like Ronald Reagan and Abraham Lincoln, we can become more effective ourselves. Remember, the goal of communication is to inspire action. Consider how you want your audience to feel, think, and, most importantly, what you want them to do.
Next week: Competence
Quote of the week: “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, the message doesn’t even matter.” – Gilbert Amelio, Former CEO of Apple Corp.
What You Need to Do:
Call to Action: Commit to taking intentional action and hold yourself accountable to the changes you seek. Motivation fleets. It’s embracing the discomfort of growth with new habits that will drive improvement. Need someone to help you on that journey? Set up a free call with me and explore if coaching may be what you need.
It’s an honor to be your trusted “Friday Coffee Guy”. Each week, I’m excited to provide yet another round of curated content that I’ve been reading, listening to, watching, or thinking over. The purpose of the Champions Brew is to inspire, equip and encourage you to become the uncommon leader you were designed to be. I am so grateful for your decision to invest a few moments with me! I hope you enjoyed this week’s edition of Champions Brew. If you did, I would appreciate it if you would share it with someone who might enjoy it as well and ask them to subscribe! I will make sure they automatically get this email every week.
Until next time, Go and Grow Champions!
P.S. – Are you a podcast fan? Maybe the Uncommon Leader podcast is for you. Are you interested in being a guest on the Uncommon Leader Podcast? Do you have a story to tell? Email me [email protected] and let’s have a chat and set something up!!
