In a busy, noisy, distracted world, how can you help your listeners pay attention to what you’re saying? It’s a big problem for communicators today, whether you’re a teacher, a presenter, or even a parent. If your listeners’ minds are wandering, they’re not paying attention, and if your listeners aren’t paying attention, then you’re not connecting. In “How to Help Your Listeners Pay Attention,” the Guys discuss new research that might hold the key to creating the kind of focus that real connecti...
Jun 10, 2019•26 min•Season 3Ep. 144
Are you a fan of TED talks? Did you know that some of these 18-minute gems have been viewed more than 50 million times? What techniques do expert communicators use to grab your attention and hold it until the end? Episode 143 of the Communication Guys podcast is “How the Experts Make You Listen,” where the Guys analyze the principles used by some of the most popular TED talks of all time and explain how you can apply them in your own communication.
Jun 03, 2019•28 min•Season 3Ep. 143
Each week you hear the Communication Guys talk about communication principles that can make you a more confident, compelling, and creative communicator in whatever you do. But this week, they get the chance to hear from you . Episode 142 of the Communication Guys podcast is “Glad You Asked,” where the Guys respond to communication-related questions and quandaries submitted by our listeners.
May 27, 2019•28 min•Season 3Ep. 142
Scientists tell us that our thoughts can affect our physical health. Too much stress can raise your blood pressure; too much worry can give you an ulcer. That’s what scientists call the “mind-body connection,” but did you know that there’s a “body-mind connection” too? It’s true. What we do with our bodies can powerfully influence the way we think and feel. In Episode 141 the Guys explain how simple changes to your posture and movement can make you a more confident communicator.
May 20, 2019•24 min•Season 3Ep. 141
Do people come to you for extra help, work, or favors because they know you’ll say yes? Do you quickly agree to the requests of others, but find yourself regretting it later? Do you ever feel taken advantage of because of your helpfulness? Episode 140 of the Communication Guys podcast is “Say What You Mean and Get What You Want,” where the Guys give practical principles for setting healthy boundaries by learning to say “No” in a positive and constructive way.
May 13, 2019•23 min•Season 3Ep. 140
When you look back on your life one day, what will you regret most? In her book, “The Top Five Regrets of the Dying,” Bronnie Ware describes the five most common regrets expressed to her by people she once cared for. She urges us all to address those issues while we still have the time, and to live the lives we’re truly here to live. In today's podcast the Guys explain those 5 Life Regrets, and give practical tips for beginning to lead a fulfilling and regret-free life.
May 06, 2019•23 min•Season 3Ep. 139
We all have battles to fight, whether at work or at home. The trick is know which battles to fight, which to postpone, and which to run from. No one knew more about fighting battles than the ancient Chinese general Sun Tzu, who wrote the classic book on military strategy, “The Art of War.” What can a Chinese warrior teach us about choosing our own battles? Today the Guys draw principles from “The Art of War” to give time-tested advice for achieving victory in your own battles.
Apr 29, 2019•24 min•Season 3Ep. 138
How “connected” is your workplace? Businesses used to believe that social connections between employees were unnecessary and potentially distracting. Now they understand that creating ways for employees to connect is the key to unlocking their employees’ full potential and getting the most from their talents. In “How to Connect in the Workplace,” the Guys explain the importance of social connection at work and give practical tips for connecting with your coworkers.
Apr 22, 2019•31 min•Season 3Ep. 137
Do you ever feel discouraged or disappointed after a big presentation? Do you feel as if you’ve failed in some way, and become overly critical of your performance? The “post-presentation letdown” is a common experience among communicators, and if you’re not careful it can lead you to make bad decisions and draw the wrong conclusions. In “Dealing with Post-Presentation Discouragement,” the Guys explain the causes behind the letdown, and give tips for dealing with it in a constructive way.
Apr 15, 2019•21 min•Season 3Ep. 136
Are you an introvert? Have you ever noticed that it’s the outgoing, enthusiastic, dominant personalities that seem to get all the attention—and the promotions? Have you wondered if someone like you has what it takes to become an outstanding communicator? Episode 135 of the Communication Guys podcast is “Why Introverts Can Be Great Communicators,” where the Guys describe the overlooked talents that introverts naturally possess, and explain how to capitalize on those talents.
Apr 08, 2019•28 min•Season 3Ep. 135
Could you use a good laugh? Then today’s episode is for you. Are you looking for profound insight into communication theory and practice? Come back next week. Today is April Fools’ Day, when the Communication Guys like to relax, kick back, and have a few laughs at someone else’s expense. Life doesn’t get much better than that! Episode 134 of the Communication Guys podcast is “The Annual April Fools’ Episode,” where the Guys pay tribute to the stupid things all of us have probably said. Enjoy!...
Apr 01, 2019•24 min•Season 3Ep. 134
Do you have trouble remembering names? You know the names of the people who are important to you, but what about all the co-workers, neighbors, and casual acquaintances in your life? One of the simplest and most powerful ways to “connect with your world” is by understanding the power of a person’s name. Episode 133 of the Communication Guys podcast is “The Incredible Power of a Name,” where the Guys explain why names are so important and give practical tips for remembering them.
Mar 25, 2019•30 min•Season 3Ep. 133
Did you know the United Nations wants you to be happy? It’s true. In 2011, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution that recognized happiness as a “fundamental human goal,” and established March 20 as the annual “International Day of Happiness.” In honor of this week's “International Day of Happiness,” this Communication Guys podcast is “Quick Tips for a Great Day,” where the Guys suggest 5 simple tips for increasing your happiness today.
Mar 18, 2019•29 min•Season 3Ep. 132
There’s a wise old saying: “Aim at nothing, and you’ll hit it every time.” Sometimes we rush into an important conversation without taking the time to consider what we’re really aiming at. What is the purpose of this conversation? What do I want from it, and how will I know if the conversation was successful or not? Episode 131 of The Communication Guys podcast is “Tips for the Toughest Conversations,” where the Guys give 5 tips for making sure your next important conversation starts on target a...
Mar 11, 2019•24 min•Season 3Ep. 131
Do you ever lie to yourself? Self-talk is one of the most powerful forms of communication, because those are the messages you tell yourself. After all, if you’re the one saying it, it must be true—right? Not necessarily. Episode 130 of The Communication Guys podcast is “Don't You Believe It,” where the Guys describe 5 common lies we tell ourselves that affect the way we feel and influence the decisions we make.
Mar 04, 2019•26 min•Season 3Ep. 130
The bad news is that words have the power to wound, discourage, and destroy. Your words could be ruining your career or hurting someone you love. The good news is that words also have the power to heal. Used wisely, they can encourage, inspire, and even bring someone back from the brink of despair. Episode 129 of The Communication Guys podcast is “How to Heal with Words,” where the Guys describe the remarkable restorative power that words can have—in the hands of a skilled communicator....
Feb 25, 2019•26 min•Season 3Ep. 129
Words have the power to motivate, encourage, and inspire, but they also have the power to wound, discourage, and even destroy. Your words could be ruining your career or hurting someone you love without you even knowing it. Episode 128 of The Communication Guys podcast is “How to Kill with Words,” where the Guys explore the dark side of words and the unforeseen ways we might be using them to harm ourselves and others.
Feb 18, 2019•22 min•Season 3Ep. 128
A simple compliment can help someone recognize their talent or potential, or it can motivate them to keep going or take a chance on something new. The right compliment has the power to redirect an entire life. Episode 127 of The Communication Guys podcast is “The Amazing Power of a Compliment,” where the Guys discuss the overlooked power of compliments, and why they’re so difficult to both give and receive.
Feb 11, 2019•28 min•Season 3Ep. 127
You would be amazed at how much you can improve as a communicator in a single day. All you have to do is apply 5 simple but radical techniques that will leave people wondering at the remarkable transformation that’s come over you. Episode 126 of The Communication Guys podcast is “The 1 Day Communication Challenge,” where the Guys reveal those 5 life-changing techniques. Does it sound like we’re over-promising? Try it for one day and see for yourself.
Feb 04, 2019•23 min•Season 3Ep. 126
When you approach an important conversation, do your best-laid plans seem to vanish from your mind as you find yourself winging it and making regrettable mistakes? What are the most important things for you to remember? What do you need to review before a significant conversation begins? Episode 125 of The Communication Guys podcast is “How to Prepare for Successful Conversations,” where the Guys list the 5 most important things to keep in mind before any important conversation.
Jan 28, 2019•24 min•Season 3Ep. 125
Meet an NYU professor with a Ph.D. in Computer Science who decided to find out how most people finish those sentences. Last year he collected 600 million posts from Twitter to see if he could determine what people “wish, want, and love” most. Episode 124 of The Communication Guys podcast is “What the World Wants Most,” where the Guys reveal the 5 top wishes, wants, and loves of people everywhere. The findings might surprise you, and reveal some valuable tips for lasting happiness....
Jan 21, 2019•25 min•Season 3Ep. 124
Do you know how to tell a great story? Some do, but the truth is that most do not. Everyone agrees that stories are able to connect powerfully with listeners, but only if you know how to tell your story well. Episode 123 of The Communication Guys podcast is “The 6 Rules of Storytelling,” where the Guys share 6 commonly overlooked principles that will help you shape and polish your stories for maximum impact.
Jan 14, 2019•24 min•Season 3Ep. 123
Does your job involve presenting data or statistics? Have you ever noticed that your listeners begin to glaze over when you do? We live in the age of Big Data, but numbers have the unfortunate habit of putting people into a Big Sleep. In this week's episode the Guys describe 5 practical ways to make your numbers clear, compelling, and memorable.
Jan 07, 2019•28 min•Season 3Ep. 122
It’s the start of a brand new year, and everyone is advising you to set greater goals and higher expectations for the year ahead. But what about the goals you set last year? Did you fulfill all of them? Before you turn your eyes to the future, are there important lessons to be learned from your past? In this week's episode the Guys encourage everyone to identify the lessons of last year’s disappointments before setting goals and expectations for the new year ahead.
Dec 31, 2018•24 min•Season 3Ep. 121
When you meet someone for the first time, they form an impression of you in a matter of seconds—and that first impression is very hard to change. According to research, the character quality that everyone instinctively looks for first is “warmth.” Do people perceive you as a “warm” person? In this episode the Guys discuss intriguing research in the social sciences that reveals the importance of personal warmth and give practical tips for developing that quality.
Dec 24, 2018•20 min•Season 3Ep. 120
Do you know what you sound like to others? Do your listeners perceive you as weak? Blunt? Rude? Overpowering? Sometimes our perception of ourselves doesn’t match the way we actually come across, and that’s when communication can break down. This week's episode is “Do You Know What You Sound Like to Others?” where the Guys discuss how to avoid career-endangering blind spots by learning to hear yourself the way others hear you.
Dec 17, 2018•27 min•Season 3Ep. 119
According to today’s guest, much of what you’ve heard about millennials isn’t true. She should know: She’s a millennial herself, and she built a nationally-known company by hiring only millennials. Today the Guys continue their interview with Kristen Hadeed, founder of the company Student Maid and author of the bestselling business book, “Permission to Screw Up: How I Learned to Lead by Doing (Almost) Everything Wrong.”
Dec 10, 2018•27 min•Season 3Ep. 118
Did you ever make a major mistake in your business? Meet a woman who launched a cleaning business while she was still a college student, signed a contract to clean 800 apartments, then had 75% of her employees quit on their first day of work. Today the Guys interview Kristen Hadeed, founder of the company Student Maid and author of the bestselling business book, “Permission to Screw Up: How I Learned to Lead by Doing (Almost) Everything Wrong.”
Dec 03, 2018•26 min•Season 3Ep. 117
Do you ever feel lonely? Did you know that in a recent survey of 3,000 corporate CEOs, more than 50% described themselves as feeling isolated and lonely? The fact is, we’re now living in what many experts are calling an “epidemic of loneliness.” Episode 116 of The Communication Guys podcast is “The Epidemic of Loneliness,” where the Guys offer 5 insights into where this epidemic came from, why it’s become so prevalent, and what each of us can do to overcome it.
Nov 26, 2018•23 min•Season 3Ep. 116
Are you a grateful person? Do you make a habit of expressing gratitude to others? We all love to receive gratitude, but did you know that there are tangible benefits for the person who gives it? Episode 115 of The Communication Guys podcast is “Why Gratitude is Good for Your Health,” where the Guys describe 5 personal benefits of a lifestyle of gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving to all our listeners here in the U.S.!
Nov 19, 2018•24 min•Season 3Ep. 115
