Pulling together resources from different A/E/C offices and people was the theme of a CEO Roundtable I led yesterday. 

Each of the six attendees came in cold.

They didn't know who else was participating. Several are competitors.

They warmed up quickly.

I facilitated the free communication session for one reason.

There are pressing communication and leadership issues impacting the entire industry.

Leaders opened their hearts and minds to their peers about:

• Mentoring staff AND getting work done
• Attracting and retaining younger talent for the firms' future
• Communicating effectively to build a positive culture
• Teaching tech staff engaging ways to share processes in interviews

Each person brought a single question or challenge to pose to the group.

And each one was eager to be a resource. 

Creative solutions, success tips, and outside support brought fulfillment, individually and collectively.

Today, I celebrate these fearless architects,...

The most important four-letter word in business and life is CARE.

For me, CARE is an acronym.

• Your Communication is based on what you pay Attention to.
• Your Attention (focus) determines your Results.
• Your Results can be Excellent.

How do your prospects, clients, and fellow human beings know you care about them?

Are you focusing on the correct problems your prospects are experiencing? Do you know how to improve your presentations and conversations? 

Notice your communication patterns and habits. It's all about self-awareness.

If you want better results, it's time to CARE in a new way.

Processes and procedures. 

A/E/C firms have long been hot on operations. 

What happens, though, when senior leaders teach new hires inefficient methods?

The cost of doing business like this is mind-boggling.

Productivity, morale, lost bids, and the labor shortage, to name a few. 

Senior management must know how to train and onboard new hires in new ways. 

Are you showing people how you scramble to prepare for a short-listed meeting the day before?

Do you confide that you don't know who will be in the room?

Does your team know when to speak and what to share?

Are they sharp and paying close attention to each other and the decision-makers?

I spoke recently at my local SMPS chapter on this topic.

The business development leaders unanimously agree:

They need (and want) to learn new communication and selling strategies, such as:  

• Storytelling

• Reading the room

• Body language

• Vocal pacing so that your words *land* with...

Soft skills can be hard to learn, especially if you're analytical and logical. These left-brain thinkers have careers in science, math, and the trades.

Many work in architecture, engineering, and construction.

A lack of communication and people skills translates into lost revenue and relationships.

This week, I was featured on Forbes.com. The article covers leadership and the three essential soft skills for business growth.

Storytelling is one of the communication tactics I talk about.

Read the Forbes.com post here for all three tips.

Famous last words: I just want to sound like me.

...But no one buys, my podcast audience has 4 listeners, I feel invisible...

I got ya.

The easiest way to improve your communication, grow your business, and feel more confident is with BS: Baby Steps.

The best part: You'll always stay true to yourself. Watch the quick video here.

People have been asking how they can sound more conversational, not scripted on...

• Sales calls
• Podcasts (hosts and guests)
• Videos and interviews

I've interviewed more than 6,000 people during my radio and communications career.

Learn the secret in this 3-minute video.

We create content.

We build funnels.

We set up systems.

We write marketing and business plans.

But do you know how to create curiosity and become known?

Curiosity is a soft skill that most people miss.

Exceptional communicators and sales pros don’t focus on stuffy scripts.

No one needs more jargon.

We crave intrigue and desire.

Gary Vaynerchuk agrees.  

When you post something that grabs (and keeps) someone's attention, you've intrigued them.

They want to know more.

You get them:

Thinking (not confused)

Feeling

Reacting

Involved

Curiosity moves conversations forward.

You planted the seed.

They look at your website or Insta profile.

Maybe they subscribe to your newsletter.

You get points if they share your post.

You create a buzz around you and your brand.

This happens when you make people curious.

It rarely happens when you ask "open-ended questions” and grovel hoping you'll close a prospect.

For f**k's sake.

I approach every conversation—sales or...

The best place to be in business is in someone else's head.

Don’t tell prospects everything you do. Introductions are often like that.

A verbal vomit.

Share the right things.

Tell them the right things in an order that makes sense to where they aspire to be.

Our brains need info that flows logically and seamlessly.

Your prospect wants to quickly understand in an easy and clear way what your expertise means to them.

How is your business going to help THEM?

Your introduction and message aren't about you. (Helloooo!)

Oh, people may look interested.

Don't be fooled. Your process and credentials only matter when someone asks about them.

That's because people care about themselves. They want to know how you can make their life easier.

Until then, they don't give a rat’s ass about how you work your magic.

The tricky communication part is that no one tells you this!

People want to be polite (most of the time).

But I know that in business, the best place you can...

You know what "THEY" say?

Everything is bigger in Texas.

It's especially true of Halloween. People here go bat-s**t crazy on this festive day.

So here are 7 frightening communication habits.   

 Use this self-assessment to clean up your communication.  

1. You refuse to receive. Someone offers a compliment on your clothing. You deflect and show them the button missing on your sleeve. Solution: Shut up, smile, and say thank you.‍ 

2. You listen to ghastly people. Well-intentioned family, friends, and even strangers can scare the beJesus out of you. Let's believe most mean well. Still, they could be clueless about your journey, intentions, whatever. Solution: Don’t drink the Kool-Aid. Shut up, smile, and tune them out. Then run away. Fast.‍ 

3. You overshare. When the doorbell rings on Halloween, do you offer the kiddos every morsel of food in your pantry? No. You give them what you think they need, want, or may enjoy. Otherwise, their...

Our non-verbal communication is VERY telling.

Words wield power. Still it's our gestures, facial expressions, and body language that speaks volumes!

Today is World Smile Day. How does this tie into our business communication?

In this 3-minute video, I'll tell you how. Watch it here.

PS: If you're on LinkedIn and want to subscribe to my new newsletter, Become Known + Make an Impact... subscribe here.