Unlock the power of storytelling with Doug Thompson, a tech communicator who turns complex jargon into engaging narratives. Doug shares his transformation from an anxious extroverted introvert to a dynamic speaker, revealing how personal anecdotes can make technical topics accessible and memorable. Learn the secrets of "techsplaining" and how Doug's storytelling bridges the gap between technical information and audience understanding.

Discover how storytelling enhances technical sales and communication skills through Doug's rich experiences, including a unique hiring experience at Microsoft. He emphasizes starting where your listener is, using familiar analogies, and the importance of authenticity. Doug also shares strategies for leveraging your strengths, improving job performance, and communicating effectively with managers. Join us for a conversation filled with insights, inspiration, and practical tips to elevate your communication skills and make technical concepts come to life.

NOTABLE QUOTES
"The brain's wired to not only listen and learn from stories but also tell stories." – Doug
"You have skills that you don't know. You have a lot more knowledge than what you do." – Doug
"Learn how to un-chunk [your expertise] if we're going to teach it, or if we're going to explain it to somebody else." – Doug
"I know I'm not the smartest person in the room. If I am, I'm in the wrong room or I'm by myself." – Doug
"[I] put a little bit of [my] soul into the people that I work with and people that I… talk to, so that they can then learn to go do that as well." – Doug
"That's the thing with stories—you want to do that because you can create some polarization." – Philip
“If you're not making at least one person that disagrees with you…, then you're not being to yourself, which comes across. You're trying to be fake." – Doug
"A lot of people just want to think that they understand enough about technology and make intelligent decisions." – Doug
"Start the story where the listener is. Use words that they're familiar with." – Doug
"Repetition is the best thing for us to be able to learn and grow in any aspect of life." – Philip
"If you can't tell your own story, you know that's the easiest place to start because you know that story so well, right? And then you build confidence." – Doug
"Not everybody has [the] same energy that I have. And that's fine, you don't have to." – Doug
"Get in touch with what you're good at, what gives you life, what takes it away, [and] what takes energy." – Doug
"Most people are not going to get the technical jargon and so you really need to come in with those stories." – Philip

RESOURCES
Doug
Website: https://thedougthompsontx.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedougthompson/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedougthompson/
Twitter: https://x.com/thedougthompson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedougthompson

Philip
Digital Course: https://www.speakingsessions.com/digital-course
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamphilipsessions/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@philipsessions
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-sessions-b2986563/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealphilipsessions

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Unlock the secrets to captivating public speaking! In this episode, learn how to transform your speaking style by mastering vocal variety and dynamic hand gestures. Discover tips to overcome monotone speech through practice, repetition, and using your phone's camera for self-review. By discussing topics you're passionate about, you'll naturally add energy and enthusiasm to your voice. We also delve into the importance of body language, emphasizing the role of hand gestures and eye contact to elevate your presentations. Tune in, practice these strategies, and watch your public speaking skills soar!

NOTABLE QUOTES
"Start recording today and, through repetition, you are naturally going to start talking more and you'll start to see that vocal variety in your voice rather than just being one tone." – Philip
"Start talking about something you're interested in because…you are going to naturally have a less monotone voice." – Philip
"Part of not being monotone is to have a pause in your sentence." – Philip
"As you're practicing—getting those reps in—is find places where you can actually do the emphasis." – Philip
"Using your hands, using your body, will also help break some of that monotony." – Philip

RESOURCES
Philip
Digital Course: https://www.speakingsessions.com/digital-course
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamphilipsessions/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@philipsessions
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-sessions-b2986563/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealphilipsessions

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Want to transform from a task manager to an inspiring leader? Join us for an insightful conversation with Edward Mosley, a retired Marine combat veteran, as he shares powerful lessons on leadership and communication under pressure. From the demanding environments of the Marine Corps to coaching organizations on leadership, Edward's experiences offer a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone aspiring to lead effectively. This episode promises actionable strategies to elevate your leadership, especially in high-stress situations.

We dive into the critical differences between managing and truly leading. Edward sheds light on common mistakes like promoting based on tenure rather than performance and emphasizes timely leadership development. He passionately discusses the need for transformative and servant leadership styles, particularly for engaging younger generations. Through practical steps like mentorship and early identification of leadership styles, Edward provides a roadmap for transitioning from transactional to transformative leadership, ensuring you empower and inspire your team. Don't miss his invaluable insights on work-life balance and professional development in a post-COVID world, showcasing the benefits of remote work and flexible schedules to boost productivity and employee satisfaction.

NOTABLE QUOTES
"If one individual on one fire team is not successful, that entire fire team is not successful and it affects the entire squad." – Edward
"What I see happen a lot is in organizations only one person knows a job, and if that one person leaves or becomes disgruntled, then that entire project is basically paused" – Edward
"We have to accept the fact that there is a difference between a manager and a leader. We have to understand that fact." – Edward
"Leaders should be empowering and inspiring others to be great and do bigger, better things." – Edward
"We have to do better at providing leadership development to those leaders in positions prior to they become leaders in those positions." – Edward
“Get your leaders… to understand that they have to know who they are. Once you get them to see that, that's when the light bulb comes on… and they become better leaders for your organization." – Edward
"If the person doesn't understand leadership, going into a leadership role, how can you expect them to come out the door as a great leader?" – Philip
"I believe that not everybody wants to be in leadership positions." – Edward
"Publicize transparency… of the organization's 100 percent commitment to professional development." – Edward
"What happens if you don't train your people and they stay?" – Philip
"Would you rather have an employee that's productive, engaged, and performing at a high level, or would you rather have them in the seats so you can see them, and not productive and not engaged?" – Edward
"Maybe you're not working full eight hours at home, but are you really even working a full eight hours in the office?" – Philip
"If [organizations] do not become flexible with how they are hiring and they only want people to come in the office, that future employee would never accept that position, they would never apply for the position." – Edward

RESOURCES
Edward
Website: https://edwardemosleyjr.com/
Email: emosley@edwardemosleyjr.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edwardemosleyjr/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-e-mosley-jr-8b9b67b/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edwardemosleyjr

Philip
Digital Course: https://www.speakingsessions.com/digital-course
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamphilipsessions/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@philipsessions
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-sessions-b2986563/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealphilipsessions

Support the Show.