Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Meryl Runion speaks with clarity

The next speaker I am hearing at the "Made Lean in America" conference is Meryl Runion, author of Speak Strong, on the topic "Phrases for Continuous Communication Excellence."

Here are excerpts of some phrases I picked up:

The way we say things really does matter.

The words we say send a signal as to our commitment to continuous improvement.

What if every conversation you had had a bit more clarity?

How to get continuous improvement in communications.  This involves several journeys and learning to use phrases that help traverse them.

The journey from perfectionistic to aspiratory:

Don't let people think of perfection as a measurement of how they are not making progress.

Imagine a world where you create an aspirational vision and don't get mixed up with perfectionism. 

The journey from performing to experimenting:

Every single conversation is a experiment, where we learn and find out what works and doesn't work.

Ask, "What would happen if . . ."

The journey from Disney to reality:

Disney created unrealistic expectations.  We have been conditioned to think that's the way it should be.

It is OK to be flawed.  Problems are opportunities.

The more I show I don't know, the more quickly I learn.

Offer, "Would you like to hear the mistakes we made along the way?" 

The journey from the problem to the process.

Say, "I notice the improvement."

The journey from "looking good and being right" to humility and learning to learn.

Say, "I won't pretend to know all the answers."

The journey from workarounds to trust.

People need to know that they can count on your word.

Protect the power of your words by saying what you will do and do it.  By saying what you mean, and mean what you say.

The journey from power to influence.

Ask, "Will you please open your fist?"

The journey from single dimensions to multi. 

The old linear thinking doesn't work.

Between these two worlds requires balance.

The journey from static to dynamic.

The words are changing.  The old words don't work anymore.  New words emerge.

IMO becomes IMCO -- "in my (current) opinion."

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