You can only be heard in a meeting if you speak up. Here are some ways to practice speaking up before you go to a meeting. They will also prepare you to talk if you are called upon when you least expect it (especially in a group setting).

• When you are alone, talk out loud. For example, read the road signs when you’re driving or do a monologue about what you see around you.

• Call your cell phone once a day and leave your opinion on a business situation.

• Be sure to have coffee or lunch once or twice a week with a colleague to stretch your speaking muscles. (This is also good networking).

• Before you go into a meeting warm up with voice exercises.

• Join a Toastmasters Club.

Doing good work and making a positive impact to an organizational success is only recognized if you are heard.

How many times has a comment stemming from a sense of humor provided a pause in a serious discussion or at least eased the tension in a room? The key thing is being smart about using humor by relating it to the situation. We see where a sense of humor has often been used to break the tension in today’s heated political environment. “Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing.” William James

Two television shows focus on small business. The program on MSNBC focuses on helping a selected small business. The other show is ABCs Shark Tank. This show refers to the “pitch” which is a few crisp words on what the business owner is all about and why his/her business is worth investing in.

It is has been proven over and over again that if you have a good pitch you can sell almost anything. In fact, a perfect personal introduction should be treated like a pitch. The key to good personal pitch is building in enough flexibility so that it can be tailored to any audience to obtain the impact and results desired.

In a recent Shark Tank episode some folks were not successful in making a deal with the team of investors. I was amazed at the naivety of some of the individuals who needed funding and how unprepared they seemed to be to obtain what they needed financially. I think that unless you are a seasoned business person or have the fortitude to know how to swim with the sharks – don’t get in the water. You might not be able to walk away whole.

There were interviews after the recent US Ryder Cup defeat where the players were asked questions about their mistakes. In some cases, it appeared to be overkill.

When we make mistakes it is important to review why they happened to hopefully prevent the same errors from occurring again. However, it should not be a blood sport. Being civil is important. Being intrusive and rude will not change the past. It only makes it harder to move on. Losing is not as important as learning from it and then moving forward. Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes. – Oscar Wilde

A number of years ago I had a meeting with a Senior Vice-President of a large company. He arranged for me to meet his VP who I would be coaching. The VP was a Guatemalan. In his culture, personal space is nose to nose unlike in the US where one arm’s length is the accepted norm. I did not step back from him because I knew this. The fact that I understood his background was important to him and I ended up working for his group over a period of ten years before he retired.

Here are some tips about personal space:

• In the US, one arm’s length is the norm and the only time you touch someone is during the handshake.

• In Spain, people tend to stand much closer together. They also touch each other more frequently than do their US counterparts. Trying to create personal space is viewed as shyness or rudeness.

• On the other hand, Australians require extra personal space—at minimum of an arm’s length or more is typical.

It is important when delivering a speech that the audience understands where you are taking them. You want to present correct facts/data, be passionate about your topic and convey honesty in the moment.

So many times emotions get the best of us and the message gets lost. (Listening to the speeches from the recent political conventions, it was clear both groups spoke using well thought out road maps).

Here are some keys tips to remember:

*Tell the audience up front what you want them to do

*Give them three reasons why

*Give them three steps on how to get there

Lastly, remind them of the information and what action you want them to take. If you keep these tips in mind you will always engage your audience.

How you sound is as important as the words you chose, especially in different venues.

Your voice sound and pitch needs to be different when you are:

*In front of a live audience with a microphone

*In front of a live audience without a microphone

*Presenting a webinar using a headset

If you can, record yourself. Then assess what you hear when listening to the tapes. I have a Sony audio recorder that I use to help me ensure my voice and pitch engages the audience and conveys passion in the topic.

A New York Times (NYT) Sunday article featured Mario Batalli, chef, cookbook author, television personality talking about working in his kitchen. His philosophy and communication style as leader is that you do not have to shout to work with each other.

The culture in the kitchens of many restaurants is to yell to communicate. The high pressure, time sensitive, noisy environment lends itself to this.

On Tuesday, August 28, acclaimed chef, Charlie Trotter, was featured in the Chicago Tribune because his restaurant is closing on Friday. He discussed what he did to change the atmosphere and talked about chefs who became famous but may have paid a high price for that fame.

So, here we have two celebrated chefs, successful leaders in their own field and businesses, with two different styles. One style was forged twenty some years ago and the other is relatively current.

The questions to answer are what works best for you, does it benefit you and do you learn from it?

The Williams Sisters were featured in NYT’s magazine this Sunday. They feel that belief and training is the key to their success. It’s the opposite of “Fake it ‘till You Make it”. The reason that causes us to fail is we tend not to be prepared enough in the beginning.

I remember during the first three years of my business I spoke to groups and took projects on for very little money. So, I got educated and trained at the same time. This is critical to being successful at whatever you chose to do. Training and education are first on my list to getting prepared. Then it’s on to practicing in the real world.

Does this mean you will always be a winner? No. The Williams Sisters are a great example of a career of wins and setbacks.

Motivation and love of what you do is understood but most folks who fail love what they do and don’t lack for passion. However it is the training and practice that one needs to do before going live. Even when you are successful, training and practice is still essential to ensure your success.

Ask yourself, are you continuing to believe and train in your profession?