KO#4
Welcome to the 4th issue of the Knockout Your Sunday Scaries Newsletter, an every-other-week newsletter by me, Kristy Olinger, with a focus on workplace communication and self-development. I’m glad you’re here. Was this forwarded to you? Get yours: Subscribe here
Sunday, February 25, 2024
Hi there,
Once upon a time, early in my career, I attended a quarterly business review meeting. You know the kind… a half day session with high double digit deck slide counts. The executive conference room was impressive to behold. The round mahogany conference table was so incredibly large that you couldn’t help but wonder 1. How the heck did they get this in here? and 2. Does the person who dusts this crawl across the table? or do they have some long armed dusting tool? This table probably sat 60 people and had additional seating around the edge of the room.
As the latest presenter shared the latest results, my attention was distracted by a cracking sound. It was persistent and as I glanced to the left I saw a colleague had a baggie full of pistachios that he was shelling and eating. It was the most ridiculous kind of snack to eat in a professional setting. It was incredibly loud and it’s not like he was being neat with the shells… they were all over that beautiful table in front of him. Later in that same meeting, I look over and this same colleague had his head in his hand and his eyes closed. He was napping. I was shocked.
That afternoon, chatting with my boss and a couple of peers, this person’s name came up. We all had a bit of a laugh about it and then my boss dropped some of the best and most useful career advice I’ve ever gotten. She said “You are a brand. You make an impression every time someone sees you.” She went on to explain that you don’t have to be on the agenda to make an impression in the meeting. The way that you carry yourself is important.
This is why I exclusively eat ‘quiet snacks’ in meetings, like gummy worms.
Hit reply and say ‘hi’ - wether you’re an OG subscriber or just stumbled across this, I would love to hear from you. What do YOU want from a newsletter like this? How can I help you banish your Sunday scaries? Let me know.
Content Round Up - In Case You Missed It
Even if you’re following me on social media, the algorithm may or may not put my video in your feed. Here is what has launched over the last 2 weeks, in case you missed it.
How to Speak Off the Cuff with Confidence, Clarity, and Credibility - PODCAST GUEST APPEARANCE
It was a pleasure to be a guest on the Grace, Grit, Getting It Done podcast with Lisa Gillette. This episode covered a WIDE list of topics, from how to handle being interrupted (both beginner and advanced strategies), being prepared to speak in meetings, and why your mindset matters.
How to Communicate with Senior Leaders - VIDEO
This video is about flexing your style in order to meet the needs of the moment and the people you’re meeting with.
Breathing Technique to Calm Nerves - VIDEO
This is my very favorite breathing technique for calming nerves before a big presentation or meeting. It works… and it’s also very funny looking so I can’t believe I was willing to video a close up of it. 🙃
Improve Speaking Clarity - VIDEO
This video encourages you to improve your speaking clarity by using a framework. I describe the framework that I most typically use.
Miscellany: noun, a group or collection of different items; a mixture.
What is acceptable in Zoom Meetings
My friend Henna Pryor (@hennapryor on Instagram) shared this chart of hysterical survey results. The survey only included 1,000 US Adults. I’m very curious about what generations and industries were polled (though not curious enough to go find the study details). I’d rather just spend time laughing about the idea of showing up in sun glasses with a cocktail in my hand to my next meeting.
Corporate TikTok fun
@Itsbrittanydavila is a former teacher turned corporate admin who hilariously explains all the new language she is learning thanks to her new #corporatelife. Her deadpan delivery is too funny. I need this to be a 100 part series.
You made it to the end! Congrats & thanks. ❤️ Have a great two weeks.
Stay Curious,
Kristy
P.S. If you want more communication strategies but you would rather listen than read, try this Spotify playlist of the workplace communication episodes of The Opposite of Small Talk. The most popular episode in this series is #121. How to Sound More Interesting (and Confident).
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