"Tackle It Tuesday" Inspirational Tip

Communication Between Friends

A Quote by Laura Moncur

There's no one like a friend. They are able to tell you like it is - especially when you need to hear it. Check out the quote for this week. Let me know if you agree. Visit www.divaofdialog.com.

"Tackle It Tuesday" Inspirational Tip - "What's Not Said"

A Quote by Peter Drucker

Today's quote by Peter Drucker reminds us about a key area in communication we must learn to understand. Take a review and see if you agree with his advice. Let me know what you think. Visit www.divaofdialog.com.

Miscommunication

Today's "Tackle It Tuesday" Inspirational Tip is quite personal for me. 

I recently experienced this with a colleague - and let me just say that it was not a pleasant situation!

Miscommunication is a big problem in any arena of life, wouldn't agree? 

How often do you find yourself dealing with communication issues? 

How do you resolve them?

Communication Skills Technique: D.I.V.A.BIT™ #2: Play Detective

Have you recently been asked to deliver a speech on a topic you barely know? Did your boss just ask you to deliver a report at your next staff meeting on a project that you barely have enough information on in which to share? Do you have a fear of public speaking that makes you petrified of speaking before a group of any size?

Well, I have a personal communication skills tip that I want to share with you that I think will help you to gather the details you need for your talk while helping you to improve your public speaking skills. My personal "D.I.V.A.BIT™" (fun and fresh twist on the standard communication skills techniques) will give you a boost in your confidence. Therefore, use

D.I.V.A.BIT™ #2: Play Detective


D.I.V.A.BIT™ #2: Play Detective means for you to "research your topic! Find as much information as possible to adequately prepare and present your talk. Use libraries, bookstores, and the Internet to find facts and supporting information on your topic. Survey mentors, friends, relatives, club members, or co-workers who may have experience with your topic. Allow their feedback to assist you in your data collection. Once you have done a thorough investigation and collected enough information to present your talk, use your personal delivery style to relay the facts you have uncovered."

Do you think this tip will help you on your journey of developing effective communication skills?

Tell me what you think below.

Need more assistance with improving your communication skills?

Click here for help.

D.I.V.A.Bit #1: Don't Let 'Em Get Away

Ideas for speeches can come to you at any time (i.e. early in the morning or late at night).

The things that you do (i.e. dressing for work, cleaning your room, or riding the bus) or the places where you go (i.e. school, work, or laundry room) may reveal a potential topic on which you can speak in the future.

See the world around you. Open your mind to the topics that exist in your world daily. Take notice of what sparks your curiosity. Once a thought settles comfortably with you, record it.

Use a method for retaining ideas so that you don’t lose them before you use them. Notebooks, 3x5 index cards, journals, or hand-held recording devices are ways to capture and keep ideas that can lead to speeches for future events.

When you take time to capture your ideas, you will find an appropriate topic for most occasions, whether you are giving a report for a potential company fundraiser, a speech at a Toastmasters club meeting, keynote address at a graduation ceremony, or workshop at a teen ministry conference.

Equipping Professional Women with Thought Power for 2010

Are you planning your event calendar for 2010?

Do you need a speaker for your upcoming conference?

Are you searching for an informative and interactive seminar for your staff?

Then book the D.I.V.A. of Dialog.

Cassandra "D.I.V.A. of Dialog" Lee is on a mission of using "Divine Inspiration Vocally Applied" to educate and empower professional women (and those who aspire to be more professional) with systems, solutions and strategies to take control of their thoughts in order to produce positive and prosperous words and actions which will lead them toward higher levels of productivity.

If you are seeking to train your professional staff or provide an enlightening and educational program to your audience in 2010, contact SSANEE Training & Consulting Group at 877-907-2892 to book the D.I.V.A. of Dialog for your next event.

Can You Communicate, Lead, or Both?

"Communicators who can lead and leaders who can communicate."

That statement was spoken on Tuesday night by Angela Moustis, a fellow Toastmasters member, as we both were completing the last of 10 speeches to receive the Advanced Communicator Bronze (Angela) and Advanced Communicator Silver (me) awards.

"Communicators who can lead and leaders who can communicate."

That statement struck a chord in mostly everyone in the room and became one of the most memorable lines of the night.

"Communicators who can lead and leaders who can communicate."

Angela reminded us that corporations, organizations, associations, and communities need "Communicators who can lead and leaders who can communicate."

As Angela continued to deliver her speech, "Take the Credit You Deserve," I processed the question she had posed to us, "How many of you knew that you were joining Toastmasters to improve your leadership skill"?

My hand was one of few to be raised.

Although I knew that Toastmasters International was an organization to help build strong communicators, I was more interested in joining Toastmasters to boost my confidence and strengthen my abilities as a leader.

I had considered myself to be a "background leader," meaning, I was very, very comfortable with being behind the scenes in a committee member position or even vice president role, instead of in the limelight as the president, helping the president or chair to lead the group toward its mission and goals.

As my undergraduate years came to an end and I transitioned into the professional world as an Administrative Assistant, I found that stepping into the limelight was a must if I was to succeed in my career.

The University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign helped to boost my awareness of my need to be a leader as well as a communicator and my committee experiences there helped to build my comfort level in accepting and fulfilling leadership roles. However, it would be my membership in Toastmasters International that would truly move me from "background leader" to "leader in the limelight."

Since my 11-year membership with Toastmasters International, I've had the privilege of seeing my leadership skills develop and prosper. I formed my own company a year after joining Toastmasters and have been serving as President, Founder and CEO ever since. In addition, I held leadership roles at the club ( Club President, Vice President Education, Vice President Membership, Vice President Public Relations, Secretary, Treasurer, and Sergeant-at-Arms), area (Area Governor), division (Division Governor), and district levels ( Youth Leadership Co-Coordinator, Spring Conference 2001 Co-Chair, and Fall Conference 2002 Chair) with District 30 Chicagoland Toastmasters. Plus, I've held the leadership roles of Administration and Communications Coordinator and Culminating Event Logistics Chair for the G.R.A.C.E. Program.

Out of all the leadership roles I've fulfilled and leadership goals I've accomplished, the one that speaks the loudest for me is serving as Sponsor and Mentor for the Wrightwood-Ashburn Overcomers (WAO) Toastmasters Club, #771880 in Chicago. I've had a chance to see in me what Angela meant about "Communicators who can lead and leaders who can communicate" because I was able to lead and communicate a brand new club into existence. I was able to form a brand new club with people who had never been in Toastmasters before and lead them toward communication certifications, membership growth, and leadership development. Under my leadership, I was able to lead WAO to Select Distinguished Club in 2006-2007 and 2008-2009, all for a club that's only been around since March 2005.

"Communicators who can lead and leaders who can communicate" is not a phrase that describes only my personal journey, it embodies my professional journey as well.

Communication and leadership are two essential skills that are needed in all aspects and arenas of life. If you find that you must fine-tune one of these areas, consider using Toastmasters International as I did.

D.I.V.A. OF DIALOG SHARES SECRETS FOR BECOMING A POWERFUL PRESENTER

CHICAGO, IL – Self-development expert and author, Cassandra “D.I.V.A. of Dialog” Lee will share secrets of the speaking trade in the seminar “Conquer Communication Skills: The Powerful Presenter” on Thursday, September 13, 2007 from 7:00pm – 8:30pm.

Designed to turn audience members into “expert” presenters, this seminar will provide tools, tips, and techniques for confidently using visual aids, skillfully handling audience questions, and successfully handling the mishaps of any presentation.

"Conquer Communication Skills: The Powerful Presenter" will take place at the Wrightwood-Ashburn Branch Library, 8530 S. Kedzie Ave., Chicago, IL.
Doors open at 6:15pm and registration begins at 6:30pm. The cost for this seminar is FREE.

SSANEE, Inc., An Educational Consulting Firm is responsible for bringing this professional development seminar to the Wrightwood-Ashburn Branch Library. This seminar is a part of a new program initiative entitled the “SSANEE Seminar Series” that is designed to bring quality and economical programming to the community to promote life-long learning.

Inspirational speaker, national trainer, and author, Cassandra "D.I.V.A. of Dialog" Lee will conduct this seminar to help those who desire to become a better presenter.

Founded in 1999, the mission of SSANEE, Inc. is to use break-through strategies to provide associations, corporations, event planners, programming boards, social service agencies, schools, and universities with economical and customized training programs that impact their employees, students, and clients for long-term personal growth and career success.

Featured in Who’s Who in Black Chicago, the Inaugural Edition, Cassandra "D.I.V.A. of Dialog" Lee is an inspirational speaker, national trainer, consultant, facilitator, and author who uses divine inspiration vocally applied™ to teach audiences nationwide. This self-development expert conducts seminars, moderates panels, facilitates workshops, presents speeches, and writes resources that promote personal empowerment and professional development.

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D.I.V.A.BITS: 24 Enlightening Tips to Conquer Communication Skills

Designed for novice and expert speakers, this audio program is packed with "fresh and fun twists" to the tried and true techniques to improve your public speaking skills.

D.I.V.A.BITS: 24 Enlightening Tips to Conquer Communication Skills is full of quick tips that will help you to “Bridge the Gap” so that you don’t take your audience over the mountains and “Through the Woods”.

In addition, it will remind you to “Stand Firm” as you “Show and Tell” with a “Smell of Success” during your delivery.

When you consistently practice and use the techniques found in this audio CD, you will overcome the obstacles that stand in your way of confidently expressing your thoughts when you give a speech or presentation in public.

D.I.V.A.BITS: 24 Enlightening Tips to Conquer Communication Skills include the following techniques for improving and enhancing your communication skills:

1) Don't Let 'Em Get Away
2) Play Detective
3) Why Them? Why You
4) Don't Think - Know!
5) Feed Them Until Satisfied
6) Build Upon a Foundation
7) Get to the Point
8) Through the Woods
9) Bridge the Gap
10) Think, Write, Read, Speak
11) It Doesn't Happen Overnight
12) Everyday Conversations
13) Repetition Begets Retention
14) King's English
15) Remove the Crutches
16) Keep That to Yourself
17) Smell of Success
18)Stand Firm
19) The Eyes Have It
20) The Boring Professor
21) Show and Tell
22) The Helpful Aid
23) K.I.S.S. and K.I.L.L.
24) Technology Glitch

Duration: 24 m, 15s

Price: $20.00 (includes shipping & handling)

Allow 6-8 weeks for shipping and handling.

To boost your confidence when you speak in front of an audience of ten or an audience of 1,000, purchase this audio CD at https://www.ssanee.com/.

Click This Link To Play The Audio Messagehttp://playaudio-345.com/play.asp?m=456712&f=VHQJEY&ps=7&p=1