Breathing life into conversation

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Recently a friend (very centered, very grounded) asked me to send her a list of all my favorite songs that reference “breathing.” She is going to write her own song about just that.

It’s a great topic!

Yep, breathing is “the bomb” in communications…Ye Olde Secret Weapon.

Oxygen (O2) is to fire what breathing is to conversation. Breathing can bring new life to your conversations and presentations. Breathing can take a spark of an idea and turn it into a roaring hotbed of discussion. 

In books, blogs, and business seminars – we still hear about the importance of breathing…the importance of taking a moment…taking a breath.

Mmmmmm…

Why do I have to remind myself to take a deep breath sometimes? Is it the 60-second news cycle culture? Is it the multi-media multi-tasking? Is it anticipation? The excitement of being caught up in a moment?

I feel fortunate to have so many moments in my life that simply take my breath away. But I am going to continue heeding the good advice of so many respected sources/resources and remember to breathe during every moment of my life…

TIP: If you want to pump some O2 into your business speaking/presentations, I recommend Cahill and Associates. Their powerful training program is a breath of fresh air. 

Color me happy when (fill in the blank)

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Color me happy when I experience great customer service.

Today I am jumping on the highlighting-great-customer-service blogosphere bandwagon with my very first kudos:

Kristen (Portland) and Kelly (Las Vegas), both with Aerosoles, recently provided exceptional, first-rate customer service – and each went above and beyond the call of duty. It was a pleasant and completely painless experience that I will not soon forget. Thank you, Kristen and Kelly, for your professionalism, thoroughness, and positive attitude!
 
Working with Aerosoles’ customer service department was a gem of an experience – precious and rare.

OK, now you fill in the blank.

EXTRA-EXTRA: Check out the United Kingdom’s WOW Awards – what a great idea to nominate and award individuals / companies on a national scale.

Communicating outside of the comfort zone

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I forgot what it was like to move – one of life’s top stressors.

On the flip side, it provides fresh experiences. It’s stimulating. Exciting – like on vacation. But it’s also foreign…out of the comfort zone.

We wanted to communicate and connect with folks in our new home state as soon as possible. And we had a great jump start based on two decisions – one made inadvertently, the other intentionally: (1) Our decision to leave our television behind for the new owner of our former home. (2) Upon arrival in our new location, we deliberately delayed the set up of our computer. 

So now there was no chance of getting comfortably lost in the fake world of television. And there was no video cam to link us to a familiar face. No email to connect with family and friends.

We met our neighbor for the first time shortly thereafter.

From that moment on, it started to feel a bit more familiar…more like we moved to a new “home.” 

P.S. I couldn’t resist adding this quote from Franklin P. Jones: “Nothing makes you more tolerant of a neighbor’s noisy party than being there.”

NOTE: I could not find much information about this master-of-quotes, Mr. Jones. If you have additional knowledge about this individual, please do share.

Brand extension or brand dissolution?

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If your brand extension is not relevant or logical to the core brand, you risk diluting the power of each.

Derrick Daye gives fine examples. Seth Godin frames a thoughtful brand formula.

Bottom line: Stay true to your core brand and your customers will be true to you.

Note: I will be taking a very short leave from Diablogue. We’re moving out of state and we hit the road tomorrow. CU L8R.

Diving into difficult dialogue

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Like an Olympic diver, a master of true dialogue will not create any waves. The idea is to first scope conditions. Then you decide how to enter the waters smoothly – without even a splash. 

Crucial Conversations gives you the tools and teaches techniques for how to succeed with high-stakes conversations and talks about sensitive topics. To dip your toe in the water first, go to their website and register for the weekly newsletter featuring helpful hints and tips.

According to the authors, a “crucial conversation” is defined as:
A discussion between two or more people where (1) stakes are high, (2) opinions vary, and (3) emotions run strong.