by Franklin Wordsmith | Mar 28, 2017 | Culture, Persuasion
It happens to us all.We spend a lot of time crafting that compelling message — to be delivered in person or in print — and it gets a ho-hum reaction.Our first instinct is to look around at other people or situations to blame. (It can’t be us, right?...
by Franklin Wordsmith | Sep 15, 2016 | Culture, Persuasion
Maybe you’re like me. You’d rather do it yourself – in part, because you don’t want to ask for something and be turned down. Or owe someone something. Or a million and one other rationalizations for avoiding something that frightens you. But you’re also smart enough...
by Franklin Wordsmith | Aug 9, 2016 | Culture, Persuasion
I can think my case for why a client should change a speech to make it more interesting to his audience makes this a no-brainer. But sometimes he still won’t do it.Before we start mumbling about clients having all of the money and none of the sense, it’s time to look...
by Franklin Wordsmith | Oct 12, 2015 | Culture, Persuasion
It’s a pie chart that unnerves me every time I see it. When it comes to getting information from other people, only 7% — the smallest percentage – comes from words. Frightening! But it’s a 7% over which we have a lot of control. So let’s try to do it well.No...
by Franklin Wordsmith | Sep 15, 2015 | Culture, Persuasion
If negotiation were a pie chart, it would have three slices: win/win, win/lose and lose/lose. We all say we’re for option #1—until the conversation begins. Then fear can set in.“Are they getting more than we are?” “We’re trying to be fair and they’re not.” “Why can’t...
by Franklin Wordsmith | Aug 11, 2015 | Culture, Persuasion
For nearly four years, I traveled the country one week a month, giving training programs for SkillPath Seminars. When I was new on this gig, I worried about how I looked at the front of a room.Did I shift my weight from side to side? Did I move my hands too much? Did...
