Rob Biesenbach's Blog, page 8

A Full Week of Storytelling and Communication

Tomorrow morning I embark on a 36-hour marathon of travel and speaking and it couldn’t have come at a better time, as I believe I’m coming down with yet another Teddy-related virus.

I can handle minor illness with a bit of Tylenol Cold and adrenalin, but a scratchy throat could prove to be a real challenge on stage. So I’m loading up on cough drops and Throat Coat tea.

Either way, I’m sharing a ton of important tips this week on how to be a more skilled, confident communicator. Here’s a rundo...

Story Overload: Too Much of a Good Thing

If you’re giving a presentation, storytelling can help you break down walls with your audience, earn their trust and, ultimately, influence them to do the thing you want them to do — accept your idea, approve your budget, invite you back, or hire you on the spot.

But storytelling is a tool that should be used sparingly. There is definitely such a thing as too much story.

A Case of Story Overload

When I work with clients on their speeches, I consider myself lucky when I’m able to draw one or t...

10 Fatal Mistakes Storytellers Make

Have you ever told a story that bombed? Or that just didn’t get the responseyou were hoping for?

Don’t feel bad — it happens to everyone. But if you want to keep it from happening again, you need to diagnose what went wrong. Chances are, you made one (or more) of these fatal storytelling mistakes.

1. Wrong Audience

Whether you’re talking to one person or a thousand, you have to know your audienceto ensure your story is relevant.Do your homework. Who are they? What are their needs, concerns, d...

Ending My Brief Career as a Sort of SAHD

This week, Teddy turns three months old. And with Karen’s return to work, it’s also his first full week of day care.

For me that means I’ve got the house to myself again. It also spells the end of any dream I had to enter the lucrative and rewarding work of professional daddy blogging.

It was really tough saying goodbye as we sent him off to Baby Jail, as I call it (to Karen’s consternation). We three had a wonderful summer together, taking evening walks, going on road trips, having dinner ou...

Baby on Board: This Changes Everything

Sorry for the B&W treatment, Teddy, but at this advanced age, Daddy needs a filter.

What did I do on my summer vacation? I had a baby! Well, my wife did, actually.

It’s been a little over two weeks and I still can’t quite believe it. As a Facebook friend said:

I am still amazed that they handed me the baby, just like that.No special degree or anything.

I’m a little sleep-deprived (though less than I thought — so far, Teddy is an exceedingly unfussy baby *knock wood*) and sensory overwhelmed,...

How to Be a Better Listener in 7 Steps

Have you ever met anyone who admits they’re a bad listener? I haven’t. Most people seem to think they’re great listeners.But I haven’t found that to be true.

And I should know — I’ve long been a bad listener. But I’m getting better at it, andI believe anyone can learn how to be a better listener witha little focus and attention.

1. Be Curious

Good listening starts with actually taking an interest in others. Have you ever run into an old friend who talked nonstop about everything going on in h...

Speakers: 6 Steps to Understanding Your Audience

Every audience has one thing in common: they want to know, “What’s in it for me?” If your speech or presentation is all about you, you’ll never grab and hold their interest.

So whether you’re presenting to a group of coworkers around a conference room table or to a thousand strangers in a ballroom, there are at least six questions you must ask in order to understand your audience and their needs.

1. Who Are They?

If you’re speaking at a conference, reviewthe attendees list, talk to the organi...

How to Shoot a Selfie Video in 6 Easy Steps

My shoot location, between those trees and the cliff.

In acamera-phone world, there is still a time and place for a professionally shot and edited video. But on occasion,a DIY approach isgood enough — and even preferable.

I’ve done it for professional purposes once — and, as with so many things, that makes me feel qualified to advise others. So here’s what I learned about how to shoot a selfie video.

1. Don’t Overthink It

It’s a natural tendency of analytical types to overthink everything. So...

What to Do When Your Speaking Time is Cut Short

I’ve done a couple of speeches where events beyond my control cut seriously into my allotted speaking time. If you’re ever in that situation, here’s what to do and what not to do.

The Best Laid Plans …

I construct my presentations meticulously. If I’ve got an hour-long time slot, then I know I will spend, for instance, 41 minutes speaking, 11 minutes on audience interaction and exercises and 8 minutes on Q&A.

It’s not like I’m a robot reciting a script, but I plan, rehearse, edit and time thi...

The Power of Emotion: A Lesson from Star Trek

What is it that made Mr. Spock one of the most beloved TV characters of all time?

It certainly wasn’t his logical side. If he were all-Vulcan, all the time, that would get old fast.

No, what made viewers love Mr. Spock was the occasional glimpse of humanity he showed us.

Now Spock was only half-human. I’d bet good money that anyone reading this is at least 100% human.

Don’t Let Fear Hold You Back

So what’s the excuse? Why do so many leaders hold back?

To me, it comes down to fear. Fear of app...