Sign up to get updates from us
Welcome to the Speak in Flow podcast, where we explore how to unleash your leadership voice with communication strategies to harmonize your team. In today's episode, we dive into practical communication strategies that promote empathy foster impactful interactions, and form meaningful connections.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
Communication as an Orchestra
Think of communication as an orchestra where every voice plays a crucial role in either disrupting or harmonizing the overall flow.
Impact of Digital Communication
The rise of social media and digital platforms has transformed how we connect, but it also brings challenges such as misinformation and miscommunication.
Creating Impactful Interactions
Practice active listening, show genuine curiosity, and demonstrate empathy to tackle complex communication issues effectively.
Creating Positive Change
By honing your communication skills, you can foster a collaborative environment where understanding and cohesion thrive, leading to positive outcomes.
Key Takeaways:
Three Strategies for Effective Communication (P, B, P)
Memorable Quotes:
“Every instrument, every voice matters.”
“Every interaction that we have is like this orchestra. The words that we use can create a divide, can create silos, or it can create a symphony of beautiful music. Together.”
“Have a positive mindset - a mindset that you can find common ground even if there's a different opinion from yours.”
About Melinda:
Melinda Lee is a Presentation Skills Expert, Speaking Coach, and nationally renowned Motivational Speaker. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, is an Insights Practitioner, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development as well as Certified in Conflict Resolution. For over a decade, Melinda has researched and studied the state of “flow” and used it as a proven technique to help corporate leaders and business owners amplify their voices, access flow, and present their mission in a more powerful way to achieve results.
She has been the TEDx Berkeley Speaker Coach and has worked with hundreds of executives and teams from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Caltrans, Bay Area Rapid Transit System, and more. Currently, she lives in San Francisco, California, and is breaking the ancestral lineage of silence.
Website: https://speakinflow.com/
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/speakinflow
Instagram: https://instagram.com/speakinflow
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpowerall
Thanks for listening!
Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.
Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!
Subscribe to the podcast
If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.
Leave us an Apple Podcast review.
Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.
Communication is like an orchestra.
2
00:00:04,580 --> 00:00:07,850
Melinda Lee: every instrument, every voice matters.
3
00:00:08,280 --> 00:00:15,190
Melinda Lee: When one instrument is out of tune it can create a ripple effect. Now the whole orchestra is out of tune.
4
00:00:16,360 --> 00:00:23,840
Melinda Lee: When one instrument is in tune in sync, it could create a symphony of beautiful music together.
5
00:00:25,160 --> 00:00:29,159
Melinda Lee: Every interaction that we have is like this orchestra.
6
00:00:29,600 --> 00:00:31,550
Melinda Lee: The words that we use
7
00:00:32,080 --> 00:00:34,480
Melinda Lee: can create a divide
8
00:00:34,530 --> 00:00:40,620
Melinda Lee: can create silos, or it can create a symphony of beautiful music. Together.
9
00:00:41,150 --> 00:00:46,850
Melinda Lee: our communication can build cohesion collaboration.
10
00:00:48,260 --> 00:01:02,379
Melinda Lee: And that is why we dive into the speak and flow podcasts where we talk about the strategies to help you and your team unleash the power of their voice, achieve maximum potential and flow.
11
00:01:03,330 --> 00:01:07,869
Melinda Lee: Today's topic is all around changing the way our world communicates.
12
00:01:08,650 --> 00:01:17,689
Melinda Lee: How do we have effective communication that builds meaningful relationship and influences the room that we walk into.
13
00:01:19,530 --> 00:01:26,350
Melinda Lee: to listen more effectively, even when we're in differing opinions.
14
00:01:26,460 --> 00:01:34,049
Melinda Lee: to lean into curiosity, to lean in to collaboration and spark creativity
15
00:01:35,910 --> 00:01:37,609
Melinda Lee: in our world. Today.
16
00:01:38,870 --> 00:01:42,350
Melinda Lee: the digital communication is rising
17
00:01:43,170 --> 00:01:54,420
Melinda Lee: and we're not quite sure of how it's actually impacting us. Or we're still grappling with what it's doing to our people, our society and our connections.
18
00:01:55,410 --> 00:01:56,989
Melinda Lee: Social media
19
00:01:57,090 --> 00:02:02,739
Melinda Lee: is disseminating information more rapidly than ever to the masses.
20
00:02:04,090 --> 00:02:09,530
Melinda Lee: We're digesting information. Our kids are digesting information.
21
00:02:09,639 --> 00:02:16,419
Melinda Lee: and I believe a lot of this information is misinformation, inaccurate information.
22
00:02:17,190 --> 00:02:25,170
Melinda Lee: and our kids are digesting it at a younger age and more faster than ever.
23
00:02:26,530 --> 00:02:33,019
Melinda Lee: Studies have shown that in professional settings, in effective communications on the rise.
24
00:02:33,620 --> 00:02:35,600
Melinda Lee: creating silos.
25
00:02:35,960 --> 00:02:39,560
Melinda Lee: people are unhappy at their jobs more than ever.
26
00:02:40,020 --> 00:02:42,760
Melinda Lee: and they're feeling misunderstood.
27
00:02:43,250 --> 00:02:46,400
Melinda Lee: unheard, unseen, undervalued.
28
00:02:49,240 --> 00:02:54,149
Melinda Lee: So today, I want to share the 3 strategies to help
29
00:02:54,220 --> 00:02:57,790
Melinda Lee: improve the way this world communicates.
30
00:02:58,280 --> 00:03:01,780
Melinda Lee: beginning with every single one of our interactions
31
00:03:02,100 --> 00:03:05,700
Melinda Lee: that can create a ripple effect of positive change.
32
00:03:06,370 --> 00:03:07,969
Melinda Lee: So here are the 3
33
00:03:08,670 --> 00:03:10,640
Melinda Lee: PBP.
34
00:03:10,790 --> 00:03:16,290
Melinda Lee: Very easy to remember. The P stands for preparation.
35
00:03:16,550 --> 00:03:19,070
Melinda Lee: B stands for breathing.
36
00:03:19,100 --> 00:03:22,720
Melinda Lee: and then the last piece stands for positive mindset.
37
00:03:22,880 --> 00:03:26,090
Melinda Lee: and I'm going to break down, each beginning with the 1st one
38
00:03:26,530 --> 00:03:28,130
Melinda Lee: preparation.
39
00:03:29,100 --> 00:03:34,199
Melinda Lee: preparing by taking a moment to do our research.
40
00:03:34,830 --> 00:03:43,209
Melinda Lee: really thinking through? Why do I believe what I believe? What information have I gotten? And is it accurate?
41
00:03:43,310 --> 00:03:48,109
Melinda Lee: Is it factual? Is it from valid sources
42
00:03:49,030 --> 00:03:55,929
Melinda Lee: and doing the work that you need to really think through that and have that information for yourself?
43
00:03:56,990 --> 00:03:58,240
Melinda Lee: And then
44
00:03:58,420 --> 00:04:03,689
Melinda Lee: taking the time to prepare by putting yourself in the other person's shoes.
45
00:04:04,450 --> 00:04:10,009
Melinda Lee: getting information, facts, statistics from their perspective.
46
00:04:10,680 --> 00:04:24,200
Melinda Lee: When you have a balance, perspective, perspective, an accurate perspective of both sides. You can feel more confident going into your presentations or conversations
47
00:04:24,480 --> 00:04:26,769
Melinda Lee: with more strength, more ease.
48
00:04:28,380 --> 00:04:34,720
Melinda Lee: along the lines of preparation, beside doing the research and gathering relevant, accurate facts.
49
00:04:35,360 --> 00:04:42,179
Melinda Lee: You wanna also think through what is the outcome that I'd like to achieve in my conversations?
50
00:04:42,460 --> 00:04:44,249
Melinda Lee: Is it to persuade?
51
00:04:44,360 --> 00:04:47,680
Melinda Lee: Or is it just to get information?
52
00:04:48,310 --> 00:04:59,829
Melinda Lee: And if you are new in the relationship, or just getting to know their perspective, I encourage you to get curious versus persuade.
53
00:05:00,470 --> 00:05:09,780
Melinda Lee: ask relevant questions, ask questions like, where did you get that information? I hear you're saying, XYZ. Tell me more about that.
54
00:05:09,950 --> 00:05:20,949
Melinda Lee: And and Tommy, where did you get that information? What source? And then, taking the time to really understand and read the facts, or read the information for yourself
55
00:05:21,410 --> 00:05:28,010
Melinda Lee: that will continue to educate you and help you to frame your perspective going forward.
56
00:05:29,180 --> 00:05:33,989
Melinda Lee: and which takes me to step 2 when you're presenting your ideas.
57
00:05:34,360 --> 00:05:35,480
Melinda Lee: Breathe.
58
00:05:35,970 --> 00:05:38,590
Melinda Lee: Breathing is a second strategy.
59
00:05:39,660 --> 00:05:42,970
Melinda Lee: Breathing as you move into the interaction.
60
00:05:43,070 --> 00:05:46,120
Melinda Lee: To stay present in the present moment
61
00:05:47,310 --> 00:05:50,839
Melinda Lee: breathing helps you to open up your mind
62
00:05:51,800 --> 00:05:57,870
Melinda Lee: and and dissolve any of the visceral nervousness or fear that you might have
63
00:05:58,900 --> 00:06:12,170
Melinda Lee: and step into where the person's at being with the person versus in your head, trying to formulate what arguments that you want to have, or what arguments arguments that you need to bring up to prove your point.
64
00:06:12,530 --> 00:06:17,030
Melinda Lee: So breathing is a wonderful way to help you get grounded
65
00:06:17,070 --> 00:06:20,170
Melinda Lee: and to stay present with the person in front of you.
66
00:06:20,710 --> 00:06:30,079
Melinda Lee: I like to use a box breathing method. This is the same method that the Navy seals use when they're in pressure under high stakes. Situations.
67
00:06:30,490 --> 00:06:32,700
Melinda Lee: and that's 4 breaths in
68
00:06:33,210 --> 00:06:37,890
Melinda Lee: 3, 4 hold 1, 2, 3, 4,
69
00:06:37,930 --> 00:06:45,060
Melinda Lee: exhale 1, 2, 3, 4, hold, 1, 2, 3, 4,
70
00:06:45,070 --> 00:06:59,950
Melinda Lee: so you can use this breathing method as the person is talking. If you're feeling yourself with a heightened emotion or visceral nervousness or anxiety. Use the breathing technique, the box breathing technique
71
00:07:00,900 --> 00:07:04,729
Melinda Lee: to help calm the nervous system and stay present
72
00:07:05,020 --> 00:07:19,999
Melinda Lee: and then move into curiosity, especially if the person is saying something that you don't agree with, and you want to rebuttal, and you want to prove yourself to be right when you go into this type of interaction, of proving nobody is going to hear anybody.
73
00:07:20,450 --> 00:07:27,069
Melinda Lee: So you want to be able to calm the nervous system, and that will allow your partner, the person that you're talking to to also calm.
74
00:07:27,750 --> 00:07:32,339
Melinda Lee: So you want to guide the interaction from a place of calm
75
00:07:33,400 --> 00:07:35,659
Melinda Lee: by using the box breathing method.
76
00:07:36,300 --> 00:07:43,499
Melinda Lee: which then leads me to the last P. The last strategy, which is a positive mindset.
77
00:07:44,710 --> 00:07:48,309
Melinda Lee: Earlier I talked about preparation. What outcome you want.
78
00:07:48,970 --> 00:07:53,510
Melinda Lee: Is it to persuade to gather information
79
00:07:53,920 --> 00:07:57,800
Melinda Lee: as you're doing all this? I want you to have a positive mindset.
80
00:07:57,940 --> 00:08:01,550
Melinda Lee: a mindset that you can find common ground.
81
00:08:01,740 --> 00:08:05,879
Melinda Lee: even if there's a different opinion from yours.
82
00:08:06,620 --> 00:08:19,620
Melinda Lee: consistently. Ask questions to find the commonality between you 2, and I promise that you can find it. But it stems from you having that positive mindset first, st because without it.
83
00:08:19,810 --> 00:08:21,920
Melinda Lee: if you're going to go in
84
00:08:22,390 --> 00:08:35,989
Melinda Lee: competitive competitive, then that's what you're going to get the likelihood of you leaving that conversation derailed, frustrated is high because you went into it
85
00:08:36,100 --> 00:08:52,469
Melinda Lee: competitive, combative. And so you want to go into it with a positive mindset that you can find common ground, open yourself to new possibilities, continuing to ask, What can I do here? What are the possibilities? Even when we have different opinions.
86
00:08:52,500 --> 00:08:56,350
Melinda Lee: having that positive mindset, being the leader in that
87
00:08:56,540 --> 00:09:01,700
Melinda Lee: interaction, will help increase the likelihood that you can
88
00:09:02,180 --> 00:09:04,879
Melinda Lee: find collaboration and solutions.
89
00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:11,130
Melinda Lee: It is possible. Remembering that you're all in the same boat together.
90
00:09:12,100 --> 00:09:14,579
Melinda Lee: we're in the same orchestra.
91
00:09:15,480 --> 00:09:19,660
Melinda Lee: So together, let's sing a symphony of beautiful music.
92
00:09:19,860 --> 00:09:23,070
Melinda Lee: knowing that our words have that much power
93
00:09:24,290 --> 00:09:32,720
Melinda Lee: to creating a ripple effect. So, remembering the 3 strategies that we went over today, preparation getting a balanced perspective.
94
00:09:33,680 --> 00:09:35,820
Melinda Lee: trying to understand the other side.
95
00:09:36,930 --> 00:09:38,800
Melinda Lee: 2 breathing
96
00:09:39,150 --> 00:09:43,060
Melinda Lee: consistently, being in the present moment with the person
97
00:09:43,870 --> 00:09:45,060
Melinda Lee: listening.
98
00:09:46,110 --> 00:09:47,040
Melinda Lee: 3
99
00:09:47,250 --> 00:09:49,629
Melinda Lee: moving in with a positive mindset
100
00:09:50,220 --> 00:09:54,839
Melinda Lee: that even in our complex world that we can find common ground
101
00:09:55,320 --> 00:10:00,800
Melinda Lee: more than ever. We need to change the way this world communicates.
102
00:10:01,330 --> 00:10:03,610
Melinda Lee: and come in with one voice
103
00:10:03,730 --> 00:10:05,429
Melinda Lee: stronger than ever.
104
00:10:07,090 --> 00:10:09,619
Melinda Lee: and I hope you use this
105
00:10:10,520 --> 00:10:13,150
Melinda Lee: to create a ripple effect of positive change.
106
00:10:14,190 --> 00:10:23,409
Melinda Lee: Thanks for being with me today until next episode. I am your sister in flow. May prosperity flow to you and through you.
107
00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:25,370
Melinda Lee: and
108
00:10:25,470 --> 00:10:29,179
Melinda Lee: have more meaningful connections, relationships
109
00:10:30,890 --> 00:10:32,410
Melinda Lee: until next time.
110
00:10:32,787 --> 00:10:34,029
Melinda Lee: See you on the other side.
