Category Archives: Communication
Business Writing Tips from Elmore Leonard?
There’s nothing like a global pandemic to spur media consumption. At this point, I’ve binged almost everything from classics like The Sopranos (yes, I’d never seen it) to pop-culture kitsch like Tiger King to phenomenal new shows like The Queen’s … Read More
The Zoom Communication Checklist You Didn’t Know You Needed
At this point, it goes without saying that COVID-19 has changed everything. Especially the way we communicate with one another at work. Since the onset of the global pandemic, there’s been a sharp uptick in remote work, which means nearly … Read More
What Dr. Fauci Can Teach You About Leadership Communication
When I teach business communication, I ask students to complete what I call a “CommBook.” This is simply a journal of professional communication that they observe in the world around them that reinforces lessons from class. The entries can be … Read More
A Presidential Communication Reading List
For me, every day is President’s Day. I’ve been a fan of presidential history since childhood. Like many, it began with a grade-school fascination with the Civil War and World War II history. This led to deep dives on Abraham … Read More
Persuasive Speaking Lessons from Greta Thunberg
Case studies provide accessible examples for teaching and learning. That’s why we analyze them in business and in business schools. However, useful case studies aren’t always formal articles in professional journals. Sometimes they’re right in front of you. One of … Read More
Inbox Zero Is Killing Written Communication
Inbox zero. Maybe you’ve heard of it. Maybe you love it. Personally, I hate it. I think it’s contributing to the downfall of modern civilization. Okay, maybe that’s a stretch. But it’s making us bad writers at a time when—distracted … Read More
The Comfortable Camouflage of Bad Communication
Recently my wife sent me a text that said, “You’ve ruined me.” In the pantheon of spousal communication, this didn’t seem great at first glance. However, as I came to discover, it was intended as a compliment. In fact, it’s … Read More
Body Language Lessons from the 2020 Presidential Candidates
“I’m not sure what to do with my hands,” confesses Will Ferrell as the titular character in the NASCAR parody Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, as he awkwardly moves his hands during a TV interview. These words ring … Read More
Overcoming Stage Fright to Share Your Story
Earlier in the year, I had the honor of keynoting the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet in my hometown of Coralville, Iowa. While I speak at conferences and corporate events throughout the world, I don’t do a … Read More
7 TED Talks That Will Help You Be a Better Speaker
TED talks are amazing. At a time when our communication is increasingly digital, it’s a spoken word format that’s sort of a throwback to the classic oral tradition when we gathered around the campfire to listen and share stories. The … Read More
