Some really clever advice by Rob Campbell on overcoming confidence problems in meetings and presentations. Not the usual 'imagine your audience in their underwear' tips but genuine advice on phrasing comments, questions and reacting in public (yes, I know the 'naked on a toilet' schtick is in there but he went straight to the good stuff: 'be yourself').
Well worth the read, even if you think you're a loudmouth (like myself). And even in that last case, it might help you to be a bit more empathic towards your meeting companions. The advice below might be a starting point:
However one word of advice, when you ask a question … especially if it is a counter-point of view to what else has been said … make sure you phrase it in a non-aggressive way.
No one likes to be told they are wrong or stupid or less informed … so pre-phrase your question with things like, “That’s really interesting, I must admit I have a slightly different experience/viewpoint/opinion … ” it’ll make things calmer, cooler and more free-flowing.
Hello Yves ...
Apologies for the 'naked on the toilet' tip - but in my defense, it was told to me by my first boss [the very proper Rupert Howell] annnnnd there are still alot of people out there who are so new to this industry that this sort of info might just help them in their career.
Anyway, glad you kinda liked the post and I hope to do some more of this sort of thing soon - so will await your evaluation with baited breath, ha!
Love your blog by the way and just to let you know, the magician/illusionist you are referring to a few posts previously is Derryn Brown [2 DVD's & a Book available on Amazon] ... a truly amazing guy and a perfect example of the power of phychology, suggestion and empathy. The perfect ad guy, ha!
Posted by: Rob @ Cynic | 28 April 2007 at 05:00
While I was still studying that was kind of the view I had on advertising and marketing. I remember being really intrigued by the 'manipulating' angle in consumer psychology.
Not in an empathic but more in an 'evil genius' kind of way. A powertrip from a university kid ripe and ready to sell the world anything they wouldn't ever need. If advertising would ever have worked like it did in my head at the time the world would be a very scary place.
I'm lucky that wore off pretty soon... Realising that people should really be better off with advertising was a push to get into planning.
Glad you like the blog, I'm looking forward to reading more of your advice.
Posted by: Yves | 29 April 2007 at 22:46