Jan 5 2011

Mentor Skills and the Principle of Mentoring

Posted by Andrew Bryant, CSP, PCC
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Mentoring is a developmental partnership between a Mentor, a leader with expertise in one or more areas, and a Mentee, an individual seeking learning and growth in these areas.

The ideal Mentee is:

High potential, commmited to their career, hungry to learn and disciplined enough to execute what they have learned.

In short, the ideal mentee is leadership material. Continue Reading »


Oct 26 2010

Leadership Speaking Style – Presentation Tips

Posted by Andrew Bryant, CSP, PCC
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In this episode of  my video series on presentation skills, we explore how your body language impacts your message.

There are four presentation styles that every speaker should and can easily master. Watch the video and read the descriptions below.

Director Style

This is the presentation body language that commands attention while maintaining dignity and rapport. It offers no immediate opportunity for resistance.You will use it to give clear mobilizing directions.

Instructions: Stand straight, square the shoulders, and maintain eye contact. During instruction, stay as still as possible. After the instruction, freeze for a couple of breaths while slowly scanning room. Use a strong voice. Use visual words and physiology.

Discovery Style

This is the presentation body language used when ‘on stage’ or teaching.You can use it to elicit curiosity, wonder, excitement and discovery. To explore what is possible to know or learn; to build closeness and partnership with the audience.

Intsructions: Stand light on feet, move laterally across stage, Use lots of gestures congruent with content, voices and expressions, and maintain an air of playfulness. Use “Let’s”, “Us”, “We” and phrases such as “Here’s an idea. What do you think or feel about it?” “This is true for me, how about for you?” Move in and out of the audience.

Leadership Style

This is the presentation body language style that inspires and calls people to action. You can use it to unify a group, and get them to move toward commitment and action.

Instructions: Stand straight, breathe fully, and maintain eye contact. Keep one foot in front of the other; slightly turn body to one side of the audience at a time. If in center of audience, slowly rotate and speak to different sections.

Authenticity

This is the presentation body language used for establishing openness and authenticity. You can use it to own up to a mistake or deliver bad news.

Instructions: Use a calm voice. Sit down, open your palms upwards be emotionally vulnerable.

Practice these styles in front of a mirror and incorporate them in your next presentation or contact us for presentation skills coaching


Aug 23 2010

Sales Skills with Self Leadership

Posted by Radu Palamariu
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We don’t often post sales training information on this site but this article by our Singapore Sales manager, Radu Palamariu, demonstrates self leadership and communication skills.

Ask the tough question

  •  “Send me some more information!”

  • “Let me think it over!”

These are the two statements that most prospective clients use on sales people. And unfortunately, most of them get away with it.

1)      Unfortunate for the sales person, because he or she will need to call again to chase the prospect/client for an answer whilst having no guarantee of the result.

2)      Unfortunate for the prospect/client, because they will be called again and will have to spend valuable time either reevaluating or fobbing off the sales person.

Since we all know this happens, why are people still doing it? Continue Reading »


Aug 8 2010

How to Influence your Boss

Posted by Andrew Bryant, CSP, PCC
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I recently conducted ‘Critical Skills for Leaders and Senior Managers’ in Singapore and Malaysia; during these programs I surveyed the participants for their desired take-aways – 80% of the attendees wanted to know how to influence their boss.

Research has shown that the inability to build a successful relationship with the boss is a significant reason for managers failing or not reaching their full potential.

When I approach this topic I encounter a number of mindsets that lead to an inability to effectively influence, these include:

  • My boss is autocratic
  • My boss doesn’t listen to me
  • I don’t want to jeopardise my career
  • I have no power in the relationship
  • My boss doesn’t give me time

Do any of these sound familiar? Continue Reading »


Jul 19 2010

What do I do with my hands when I’m speaking?

Posted by Andrew Bryant, CSP, PCC
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“What I do with my hands?” is a question I have heard countless times from people wanting to improve their presentation skills.

In this short video I suggest that what to do with your hands is to make meaningful gestures.


Dec 29 2009

Make 2010 a Positive Year

Posted by Andrew Bryant, CSP, PCC
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daisy

2009 could be associated with many negative emotion; fear, anxiety, uncertainty, regret etc. This is not all bad because emotions have ‘motivational consequences’. If we view our emotions as a feedback system, we can use the information to change our behaviours or make better choices. Continue Reading »


Aug 28 2009

Presentation Skills and Personal Brand

Posted by Andrew Bryant, CSP, PCC
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I have posted previously about public and professional speaking and this week I was training a group of young professionals in the art of presentation skills.

During the 2-days training, using video feedback, the participants were transformed from nervous to confident and from unstructured to persuasive presenters. Continue Reading »


Jul 16 2009

Learning to Learn, from Unconscious to Conscious

Posted by Andrew Bryant, CSP, PCC
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I believe that to survive and prosper we need to learn faster and to teach better.

learning-path

Did you know that your learning follows a path? Firstly you don’t know what your don’t know, which is a state I like to call “blissful ignorance.” On the learning path this is known as unconscious incompetence. Continue Reading »


Mar 23 2009

Creating a New Vision after the Meltdown

Posted by Andrew Bryant, CSP, PCC
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Creating a New VisionEvery executive knows that they must have a vision and mission statement but in times of crisis these important documents can be forgotten.

It is a bit like if you were in a boat and have set your course, but the boat springs a leak and you spend your whole time bailing water and have no time to steer.

William Bridges created a model of change and transition that is highly relevant in today’s financial readjustment. Continue Reading »


Mar 18 2009

Leadership for Managers

Posted by Andrew Bryant, CSP, PCC
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leadership-for-managers“If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame. But if his orders are clear, and the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the fault of their officers.” – Sun Tzu

On May 26-27, 2009  Self Leadership International will be conducting a 2-day “Leadership for Managers” Program in Singapore.

If you are interested in developing your leadership skills and mindset to cope and prosper during with this current economic climate then you should consider this program as an essential investment. Normally we run this program for large multi-national companies but the public run gives the opportunity for SME’s to send their managers for a world class training. This program is also ideal for those MNC’s that want a cost effective program for selected managers.

For full details of the program you can click here or contact Radu at our office on +65 6887 4335. Continue Reading »