The Lowdown on Uptalk: What it is, when it hurts, and how it can actually boost your conversational influence. From time to time, I hear someone say, āI canāt STAND it when women use uptalk!ā (SIGH. š Newsflash: itās not just women.) Letās dive into this vocal affect that drives some people crazy. What is...Read More
No outgoing voicemail? Or one that hasnāt been updated in years? That is sending a message. And not a good one. But hereās what Iāve learned: Most people donāt have an outgoing message. Or, if they do, itās missing even the basics, such as their full name. It starts like this: āHi! Youāve reached Rebeccaās...Read More
Ever had your story interrupted and hijacked? Not fun, right? š This happens when there's a lack of Voice Equity (VoiceEQ)āa mindset that values all voices in the room. VoiceEQ can be challenging because, letās face it, we all love the sound of our own voices! But itās essential for fostering trust, inclusion, and diverse...Read More
Last week I lost a friend to cancer. When I heard the news, I wasnāt sad. I was grateful. Hereās why: Iād known Pola Kelley for ten years. First, as the Executive Director of the Sedro Woolley Chamber, one of six local chambers in Skagit County, Northwest Washington. Then, through various photo and video projects...Read More
What are the differences between courage and confidence, and why does it matter? Letās first address the differences:Ā Ā Courage is linked to fear and anxiety, whereas confidence is linked to peace + happiness. Ā Courage requires action. Confidence is a state of being.Ā To help illustrate both of these, Iāll use a recent (unfortunate) event involving...Read More
I’ve met many people who have a desire to be ‘a speaker’ but never move forward. Often, it’s believing that they have nothing original to say. “Everything I want to say has already been said.” This thinking kills dreams and innovation. It crushes confidence and creativity. It has stopped many people from speaking their truth....Read More
In light of the undignified behavior we witnessed during the recent Academy Awards, Iāve considered what it takes to emcee with success. In my experience, success boils down to your ability to facilitate with finesse by keeping five key principles in play. Demonstrating finesse in facilitation can be as simple as ensuring a meeting starts...Read More
Breast Cancer Chronicle #1: Diagnosis. Below is the first video I shared following my breast cancer diagnosis in October 2021. The bad news came only days after my 30th wedding anniversary. “Happy anniversary…you’ve got cancer!” I was in shock, of course. But quickly bounced out of it to gather information. Over the next six weeks,...Read More
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