| In the movie the Wedding Crashers, the Rachel | | | | whatever reason, she didn't make the connection. |
| McAdams character, as maid of honor, had to | | | | When I reminded her of the session, I could see |
| give a wedding toast. She ran it by The Owen | | | | the flickering of connecting synapses. My curiosity |
| Wilson character. He suggested if she went | | | | nudged at me until I asked her why she didn't |
| forward with what she just said, she would "hear | | | | initially think to use the material she had learned |
| crickets" in other words, flop. She ignores his | | | | the week prior. She thought a moment and |
| advice and presents the toast her way. There's | | | | shrugged. |
| an awkward silence. In a panic, she looks at Owen | | | | If the idea of that story was on a power point |
| Wilson. He saves her by pointing to his chest- | | | | slide presented to managers, it may have looked |
| suggesting she speak from her heart. It works. | | | | like this: |
| I like that because I feel the more in touch with | | | | How to Mentor Your Staff : |
| your heart you can get, the more effective you'll | | | | - Discover what they need |
| present. The following three approaches will get | | | | - Ask probing questions |
| you nearer to your essence and farther away | | | | - Use your knowledge to assist your staff |
| from glossophobia. What's glossophobia? Why, | | | | Comments around that may include droning on in |
| fear of public speaking, of course. An affliction | | | | generalities about having meetings or asking them |
| that an estimated 75% of us share. | | | | about their issues. That may be safe but would it |
| Statistics- Statistics work as supporters. For | | | | be effective? Which packs more punch? Which will |
| example, I used the 75% number in the previous | | | | your audience retain? Which would you feel |
| paragraph. I saw that stat in five internet | | | | comfortable presenting? The story, I suspect. |
| searches I did. It makes me feel comfortable with | | | | Plus as a hard working, diligent manager, wouldn't |
| my statement by giving it depth. And when you | | | | hearing that exchange make you more aware of |
| speak with depth the closer to your heart you | | | | your role in mentoring your staff through the all |
| find yourself. | | | | important people issues? And that's the crux of |
| The best part is that statistics are all over the | | | | the piece. So, rummage through your life for |
| internet. That makes them easy to gather. Make | | | | stories that fit your point. Tailor them to your |
| sure they stem from credible sources, though. | | | | audience. Use them. |
| Make sure they feel right. | | | | Samples (or examples)- These serve you like |
| Stories- Let me tell you one that has stayed with | | | | statistics without the numbers. They support your |
| me. When I worked in the corporate world, my | | | | points, amplify your ideas and clarify your notions. |
| staff and I went through a conflict management | | | | So, if I say that members of Generation Y prefer |
| seminar. | | | | texting, instant messaging or email to speaking |
| The Monday after completion, one of my | | | | my example might be- In fact, my boomer friend |
| supervisors came to me with an issue. Two | | | | says his most used text message to his |
| employees in her department were having trouble | | | | Generation Y progeny is CALL DAD! |
| with each other. She asked me for advice on | | | | So, next time you're up, speak from your heart |
| how to handle it. | | | | with the 3 S's- Statistics, Stories and Samples. |
| Now, remember, she had just been through the | | | | Make you entire talk nothing but that. If you do, |
| very course that provided her the methods to | | | | you won't hear crickets, you'll hear applause. |
| handle just this type of situation! However, for | | | | |