The Brunner Blog

Vanessa Gatlin 7/17/23 Vanessa Gatlin 7/17/23

5 Ways To Productively Enjoy Time Off

Because rest is part of the work too.

I don’t know about you, but it feels like summer is quickly zipping by with little time left to make the most of it, let alone take a vacation. What I have found interesting—and also think is fantastic—is how many companies have been encouraging, and almost requiring, time off, and not only around the holidays.

Two-years ago, HubSpot introduced a Global Week of Rest as a long term plan to reduce burnout. This year, the 4th of July fell on a Tuesday, but most of HubSpot’s employees had the entire week off. Deloitte, a professional services firm with more than 156K+ employees in the U-S alone, offered a company-wide, time-off policy for the first three-days of that same week. Neither of these are considered vacation days or PTO, Personal Time Off, but rather what’s being called “proactive rest.”

According to Gartner, a management consulting company, their 2023 work trends forecast suggests the best organizations are stepping up to usher in new perks and working models to help employees “maintain their emotional resilience and performance rather than offering rest as a recovery solution after both have plummeted.”

No matter when you take time off, the point is to take it! There are many benefits in doing so that impact your individual, physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Stepping away and dedicating time to rest and rejuvenate and focus on your well-being can significantly reduce stress levels. And there are so many other benefits too; it can improve your mood, increase positive emotions, enhance overall mental resilience, and increase productivity and creativity. And sometimes that proactive rest can also afford you the opportunity to learn something new. All of which can contribute to a sense of life fulfillment.

Even if your company doesn't offer “proactive rest,” it is important to find or create time to recharge before the full onslaught of fall activities, school or continuing education kicks into high gear. I happen to love summer and the warmth of the sunny days. Here are some suggestions for how to “proactively rest;”

Make a conscious effort to disconnect from work—your real job—as much as you can during whatever time you find or create for “proactive rest.” Turn off work-related notifications on your phone and avoid checking work-related platforms or emails. At the very least—if you must—allow yourself a brief period of time, only once a day, each day to check your email. It’s also important to set clear boundaries regarding your availability during time off. That may require an out-of-office auto-response or simply letting colleagues know you are unavailable.
Practice and prioritize self-care. Take time to relax, unwind, and engage in activities that bring you joy and help you to recharge such as reading, getting a massage, meditating, or simply enjoying the natural surroundings.
While it's sometimes good to have a plan, an itinerary, because it gives you something to look forward to, it’s also good to be flexible and open to spontaneity, to go with the flow and embrace the unexpected. Those unexpected opportunities can provide the best experiences.
Capture the special moments and memories by taking photos, or start a journal to document your experiences. Reflecting on these memories in the future will bring back the joy and nostalgia of the summer season.
Ease back into routine. As your time off comes to an end, give yourself some buffer time before returning to work or your regular routine. This will allow you to adjust and ease back into your responsibilities gradually, reducing the chances of post-vacation stress.

Remember, the key to enjoying the last days of summer is to be present, appreciate the beauty of this time of year, and create moments that will make lasting memories. Enjoy the warmth, sunshine, and freedom that summer brings before transitioning into the next season. Dare to own your well-deserved time off.

Interested in Taking Yourself or Your Executive Team to the Next Level?

Brunner Communications assists high-profile individuals and organizations in sharpening and developing top level business communication, executive presence, and public speaking skills. Our passionate team provides one-on-one executive business coaching, and runs specialized business workshops. Through customized training, clients learn the necessary skills to become great communicators and build a marketable reputation.

Vanessa Gatlin 6/4/23 Vanessa Gatlin 6/4/23

4 Tips to Beat “Glossophobia”: What It Is & How To Overcome

Have you ever had to stand up in a company meeting, present a project, or even pitch a new client and freeze? You are not alone!

Have you ever had to stand up in a company meeting, present a project, or even pitch a new client and freeze? Guess what? You are not alone! In fact, more than 75% of the population has experienced some fear, or dread, around public speaking. Research has shown that the fear of public speaking outweighs the fear of snakes, heights, and even death! (University of Minnesota) It’s actually called “glossophobia,” and it can happen anywhere, at any time; in the workplace, in a job interview, in a classroom, or even at a party or networking event. You might be the most intelligent person with the most interesting things to say, but when you become the center of attention, all bets are off. Your voice starts to quiver, you can’t catch your breath, beads of perspiration start rolling down from your forehead, you start adding unnecessary filler words—the um’s, and ah’s that take up precious time—and panic may even set in.

The good news is that it is normal to be afraid and no matter where you are today with your ability and/or comfort to speak in public, everyone can get better at it. No one is born knowing how to speak effectively. It is a learned skill. Improving your skills as a public speaker will take you to new levels of success both personally and professionally. Having had a career as a journalist, keynote speaker, and executive communications coach, I believe that any communication, whether one-on-one, in a small group, on a stage, or even on a conference call, it’s all “public speaking.”

Being a good communicator is being a good public speaker. So, how can you get better at it? Incorporate a practice I titled “Liz’s 4 C’s,” Confidence, Content, Clarity, and Conversational.

Confidence: How do you become a confident public speaker? Preparation is key. Far too often, many people believe they can simply “wing it.” “80% of your success comes from preparation.” (Helpmates.com) Preparation is more powerful than perfection. Being prepared gives you confidence, which leads to command, and presence. This “it factor” is what helps to make you memorable. Even if your audience doesn’t remember every single word you say, to quote poet Maya Angelou, “...people will remember how you made them feel.”
(Your) Content: It’s the “story.” Everything is a story. Storytelling is a public speaker’s secret weapon, and putting your message together in the right way can make a huge difference in how you made people feel, and how your remarks are remembered. Consider what’s in the message for your audience. Are you sharing a story addressing what’s important to them? Why should they spend time listening to what you have to say? I ask my clients these questions all the time when they are preparing to speak on anything: a new strategy, their latest research, or a pitch for new business. Use real examples and interesting stories that will resonate with your audience. This is another way to make sure you are memorable for the right reasons.
Clarity of your content: What’s the story behind the numbers or research? That’s providing context which leads to clarity. Can everyone understand what you are saying? Too many speakers use too much industry jargon and not everyday language. Use simple language and shorter sentences. Not only will it be easier for you to deliver, but it will be much more interesting to your audience.
Conversational: Delivering your story (your content) in a conversational way is key. Use what I call “vocal variety:” What you say, how you say it, and how you sound saying it matters. When delivering your message, “vocal variety” means varying your tone, pitch, and pace to make your speech more engaging. Speak clearly and project your voice to ensure everyone can hear you. Pause for effect and allow the audience to absorb what you have said without the need to fill the silence.

And yes, you must also practice, practice, practice, rehearse, rehearse, rehearse, out loud. There’s a muscle memory that happens between your brain and your mouth when you practice out loud. I’ve developed a very specific methodology of practicing backward. I use it myself and my clients tell me it works for them too. Plus, record yourself. Are you using “Liz’s 4 C’s?” Do you sound confident? Do you have clarity of your content and are you delivering it in a conversational way? I know, it’s not easy sometimes to listen to ourselves, but it is a way to ensure that your message is on point in all ways.

Finally, if you typically get nervous, practice relaxation techniques. Deep breathing exercises can help you to find a way to channel that nervousness into enthusiasm and passion. Remind yourself of why your presentation matters to your audience.

Incorporating all of these public speaking techniques will help you learn to be a better communicator, a better public speaker and lessen those anxious “glossophobia” feelings.

We may not be as good as Winston Churchill or Eleanor Roosevelt, but neither should that be the goal. Communicate, connect, and engage your audience with authenticity, confidence, and command. That is how you will be remembered.

Interested in Taking Yourself or Your Executive Team to the Next Level?

Victoria Nyadjroh 4/3/23 Victoria Nyadjroh 4/3/23

Change Is In The Air

Change is in the air, and that got me thinking about the changes we all go through in life.

Change is in the air, and that got me thinking about the changes we all go through in life. Change is a constant in life, whether by choice or by circumstance. It can come in many different forms – physical, emotional, social, or even environmental. There may be changes in careers, relationships, or new dwelling places. As John Maxwell says, “Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” That is a powerful statement.

While we can’t always control the changes that happen to us, we can control how we respond to them. And that’s where growth comes in, but growth is not guaranteed. It requires a conscious effort to learn from the experiences and challenges that life presents to us.

I believe it begins with first embracing change. Yes, it may be hard. It may be uncomfortable too, but it is also an opportunity to learn, grow, and become more resilient in the face of future changes.

Take time to reflect on the changes that have occurred in your life and how you have responded to them. Use that knowledge to move forward, to reassess your goals and priorities, or develop new skills that will help you navigate your new circumstances. It’s also important to have a support system in place. Don’t hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or a therapist for support and guidance.

Growth is a journey, not a destination. Be patient and compassionate with yourself. By reflecting on our experiences, and adapting to new circumstances, we can use change as an opportunity to grow and become better versions of ourselves.

Interested in Taking Yourself or Your Executive Team to the Next Level?

Victoria Nyadjroh 3/7/23 Victoria Nyadjroh 3/7/23

Cultivating Confidence

Do you have days where you feel like a rock star? And then, the next day, something happens and you feel like your confidence has fallen to the bottom of the barrel? It happens. I call that “the confidence barometer.” Just like the weather, confidence levels can go up and down. Confidence is not linear. It may take a dip for a number of reasons. It’s called “being human.” There’s an ebb and flow to confidence and even if one achieves some level of confidence, it doesn’t mean that you are immune to doubts or fears.

In my book, Dare to Own You: Taking Your Authenticity and Dreams into your Next Chapter, there’s an entire chapter dedicated to “The Courage of Confidence.” It offers several methods of how to cultivate confidence such as setting and achieving small goals, learning and practicing new skills, surrounding oneself with supportive people, focusing on one’s strengths and past successes and challenging the negative self-talk. What you tell yourself is incredibly important! It’s why I came up with a game I call my “Confidence ABC’s.” I use it, and I share it with clients too. I start at the beginning of the alphabet and think of a word, or several words, for each letter that resonates with some form of confidence and how I want to feel about myself. For example: A- I am Authentic, I am Athletic, I am Articulate. B- I am Bold, I am Brave. C- I am Creative, and yes, I am Confident! Saying “I AM” is very important, as is the feeling you create within yourself when you practice this game outloud.

Confidence is important for everyone, regardless of gender. I also believe cultivating confidence is a personal journey, a state of mind and can be learned. When we are able to acknowledge and work through the confidence barometer dips, it can help us set us up to achieve our goals, communicate effectively, and navigate challenging situations with more resilience.

Interested in Taking Yourself or Your Executive Team to the Next Level?

Victoria Nyadjroh 2/1/23 Victoria Nyadjroh 2/1/23

Why Does Executive Presence Matter In 2023?

In today’s fast-paced business world, having a strong executive presence is more important than ever.

In today’s fast-paced business world, having a strong executive presence is more important than ever. As organizations continue to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by technology, globalization, and changing consumer preferences, having leaders who can command attention, inspire trust, and lead effectively is critical for success.

But what exactly is “executive presence” and why is it so important in 2023? Clients ask me this question all the time, but I guarantee, you know it when you see it, and you know it when it’s not there. At its core, executive presence is the ability to project confidence, poise, competence, and authority in any situation. It involves not just what you say, but also how you say it, and how you carry yourself. It’s the combination of all of your communication skills—verbal and non-verbal—and your ability to inspire and lead others. Presence also has a supernatural spirit to it, often described as the “it factor”.

One of the key benefits of having a strong executive presence is that it helps to build trust and credibility with colleagues, employees, stakeholders or any audience. When people see—and feel—that you are confident, competent, and in control, they are more likely to follow your lead, believe in your vision and consider you an expert. This is especially important in today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving business environment, where trust and credibility can be difficult to earn and maintain. In addition to those benefits, executive presence can help you climb the next rung on the career ladder. According to the Center for Talent Innovation, “Executive presence accounts for 26% of what it takes to get promoted.”

Here’s the good news: Presence is not a trait, it’s a skill that can be learned and cultivated. However, developing a strong executive presence is not easy. It takes practice, patience, and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement. One way to start is by paying attention to your communication style, body language, and overall demeanor. Are you speaking clearly and confidently? Are you making eye contact and using open body language? Are you projecting a sense of calm and control? These are all key elements of executive presence that you can work on over time, on your own, adopting tips from a professional or with support from a coach.

In addition to working on your own presence, you can also look for opportunities to observe and learn from other leaders in your organization or industry. Pay attention to the way they communicate, lead, and navigate difficult situations. Take note of what they do well and begin to emulate it.

The difference between yesterday’s leaders and tomorrow’s innovators is the initiative they take to develop their own authentic executive presence. When you learn to leverage that presence, you become a leader who others want to follow and, and equally important, the exact leader you want to be.

Interested in Taking Yourself or Your Executive Team to the Next Level?

Brunner Communications assists high-profile individuals and organizations in sharpening and developing top-level business communication, executive presence, and public speaking skills. Our passionate team provides one-on-one executive business coaching and runs specialized business workshops. Through customized training, clients learn the necessary skills to become great communicators and build a marketable reputation.

Vanessa Gatlin 10/14/22 Vanessa Gatlin 10/14/22

Practice the Three P’s; The Words That Have Guided My Business For Nine Years

Being an entrepreneur is not for the faint of heart. It’s one thing to have a vision, it’s another to actually implement it and make it a reality.

Being an entrepreneur is not for the faint of heart. It’s one thing to have a vision, it’s another to actually implement it and make it a reality. If you are struggling as an entrepreneur or in taking your side-hustle full-time, there are three words that I have learned one must have to have any kind of success: passion, perseverance and patience.

Little did I know when I signed off of my last newscast on October 17, 2013, that nine years later, I would survive being an entrepreneur, through a pandemic and even grown and pivoted a few times. Has it been easy? Sometimes, but mostly no, it has not. But it has been worth it. Entrepreneurs are not born, they are made!

It may not be what you want to hear, but there is no magic formula to creating success. According to the Small Business Administration, 66% of first-time businesses fail within the first ten years. Running your own business is not easy and there is no one-size fits all approach. However, if you implement the three P’s, which I believe are entwined and related, maybe you can avoid some of the growing pains of entrepreneurship.

Passion:

You were passionate about an idea to build a business, so remind yourself of that when the going gets tough. Be passionate about continuous learning. The ability to learn and grow is one of the most important skills to have in life, let alone in entrepreneurship. Even failure. As I wrote in my book, Dare to Own You: Taking Your Authenticity and Dreams into Your Next Chapter, I believe failure is not the enemy. Not learning the lessons is the enemy.

Continuous learning also requires not being afraid to ask for help and finding the right people who are just as passionate as you are, who are also vested in your business, and want to help you succeed.

And, be passionate about becoming a better, more effective communicator so you can sell yourself, your ideas, services and your physical products.

Perseverance:

Starting a business involves risk and in order to persevere, it requires initiative, determination and action. Each day, take small consistent steps, whether developing your strategy, staying on course with your business plan, or pivoting, if required. Be willing to constantly evolve as you move down this path.

I believe it also takes resilience. One must be willing to rise above the challenges, recover quickly and persevere.

Patience:

In 2020, the number of start-up businesses grew by 24%, from 3.5 million to 4.4 million. In large part due to the pandemic. And women-owned businesses are also soaring in the U.S. How many of them will survive is still yet to be determined, and that is where patience comes in.

As Jeff Bezos once said, “All overnight success takes about 10 years.” May that be reassuring if you have not had the kind of success you are hoping for so far. Get comfortable with the concept that something of value takes time to come to fruition.

We often want to see amazing results almost immediately, and if that doesn’t happen, we may lose some of that required passion and perseverance. But know this, there will be problems, maybe even delays, some of which will be out of your control. Establish realistic expectations, and be patient. And when you find your patience waning, remember your passion for why you started this business in the first place… and then persevere.

I’m grateful for the 3 P’s! I still have to remind myself of them nine years into my business, but I’m so glad I do because I continue to have amazing opportunities, working with incredibly talented people all around the globe. Here’s to the years ahead.

Interested in Taking Yourself or Your Executive Team to the Next Level?

Victoria Nyadjroh 9/28/20 Victoria Nyadjroh 9/28/20

Virtual Presence: Do you have it?

If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a hundred times since the pandemic hit the world; “I have zoom fatigue!” Yes, there absolutely is such a thing.

Think about it; when we used to go to the office, we’d move from our desks, to conference rooms, to client visits, to the snack lounge or any number of places over the course of a day. There was some variety from “nine to five” more often than not. Now, we sit in front of a computer screen, on video conference calls all day long, hour after hour after hour!

Enter “Zoom fatigue.”

It takes so much more energy to connect with others, to engage an audience, to have “presence” in a virtual environment Compounding upon that is the indefinite timeline during which we’ll continue to work in this way.

Why does it take so much more energy? When you meet in person, you “feel” the energy of the people around you. You can read their body language. You can see if they are engaged with you and comprehending what you are saying. For those who are used to being on a stage giving a presentation, you feed off of the energy you get from the audience. Athletes know about this energy. When there is a stadium filled with fans, that’s fuel for them. The silent stadiums during the NFLs Week 1, however, may have felt more like practice than game day.

In a similar way, when you are on a virtual call or webinar, as the speaker or presenter, you don’t feel the energy coming back at you. Therefore, YOU have to create all of that energy by yourself,which often means you must give more – more energy, more passion, and better storytelling or messaging. You need to make “eye contact” with the camera. All of this to have “presence.”

How do you have eye contact virtually? You need to get comfortable looking into that tiny little camera lens at the top of your computer or into your external camera. My years in television have given me more experience than most in doing this. Getting started, it may feel awkward, but it is the way to virtually look at your audience – to connect with them and to show confidence and presence. Understandably, people tend to look at the faces on their computer screen, and not into the camera. You want to see people’s faces when you speak to them, but in doing so, they do not feel as if you are looking at them and so you miss out on that connection. A helpful reminder? Put a post-it note with an arrow on your computer aimed at the camera.

Avoid using an iPad if you need to speak/present, unless you can add an external camera to the top. With the iPad’s camera often to the left or right of the actual screen, making “eye contact” is extremely difficult.

Over the past few months, I’ve been working with corporations who are transforming their annual in-person conferences to virtual events.They are finding that, in order to do it well, their teams need to learn new speaking skills. As a communication coach, I’ve been teaching them tips and techniques to ensure each presenter has presence, is engaging, and keeps their audience’s attention throughout the event. Looking into the camera lens is just one tip, but it’s often the most challenging, too.

Another tip: make sure you have enough light on your face so people can read your facial expressions, which are a key component of communicating and showing presence, especially virtually. The light should be in front of you, not behind you. For more tips, take a look at this video conference guide.

More than likely, the virtual workplace will continue to dominate for quite some time and will certainly never disappear, even when the world begins to regain some normalcy. So, now is the time to learn to do it well and to take your communication skills to the next level. Communication coaching will build your presence virtually and in-person, so invest in your professional development today.

Brunner Communications assists high-profile individuals and organizations in developing powerful, meaningful, and desirable brand identities. Through customized virtual or in-person training, either one-on-one or in workshops/seminars, clients learn the necessary skills to become great communicators and to build marketable reputations. The firm provides ongoing consultative expertise to ensure reputations and performance skills are maintained.