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Don’t be stingy with yourself
and call it modesty or professionalism.
Get real, tell us what life has taught you,
and let’s make something happen.
We trust people who are willing
to be authentic.
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"First, Stop". Charlotte Business Journal, July 3, 2008. When things stop, we notice. When there's a gap in the noise, we pay attention. You have an opportunity to stop time as you step to the front of a room to speak. It is a crucial moment in which people perceive who you are. Here you can choose to stop, look people in the eye and make a connection before you open your mouth.
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"Mistake-Free is Usually a Mistake." Charlotte Business Journal. May 9, 2008. So often, when we make a presentation, we go into a jailhouse of self-consciousness. We think our experience is not enough. We strive to say the right thing and to be the perfect version of ourselves. But perfection does not play to authentic communication and your ability to connect with listeners. If your talk is controlled and technically perfect, you may put everyone to sleep. If you fumble here and there and forget your place, but speak from the heart, your audience will be engaged.
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"Presence." Charlotte Business Journal. April 11, 2008. Johnny Cash could fill the room with his presence. He stood 6'2" and cast an even taller shadow. Many of us spend too much time trying to memorize the words, which only creates a lack of presence. When we stand to speak, the adrenaline hits and there is a physical disconnect. We feel uncomfortable -- and words are not enough to engage the listener.
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"Silence is Golden." Charlotte Business Journal, February 29, 2008. We are all so busy we can hardly stand in line for a latte without talking. And then we talk on cell phones as we walk to and from the car. It is so noisy all of the time, and there's something being said all of the time. Pausing for a second or two of silence is a deceptively easy act. Many of us are uncomfortable with silence and would prefer to hear ourselves talk.
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"Stories." Charlotte Business Journal, January 18, 2008. From September through January, the TVs at our house are set on NFL football. I am not the fan my husband is. He's the one who yelps, screams and pounds pillows while watching. But I am fascinated by the stories behind the games. Your stories and your ability to create meaning are the very things your audience can't get anywhere else.
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"Trying Too Hard." Charlotte Business Journal, December 7, 2007. Whether you're asking for the business, a bigger budget or a promotion, the outcome has a lot to do with your presentation. But when under pressure, many of us do exactly the opposite of what works. We try too hard. If a presenter doesn't have the confidence to relax, listeners can feel it. I have learned that when I sense I am pushing and working too hard, I'm off the beam.
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"Face-to-face matters." Charlotte Business Journal, November 16, 2007. Technology has made it easy for us to connect to global conversations. But what about connecting with the person in the next cubicle? Even though technology is woven into our lives, there are no shortcuts to effective communication. To increase the importance of face-to-face time in your company's culture, adopt these suggestions.
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"Technical Presentations." Charlotte Business Journal, October 19, 2007. Most of the advice on business presentations ignores the fact that many industries deal in highly complex, technical projects. For those industries, a request for proposals can demand a big team presentation, a thick handout and more. Here are some tips for ensuring a complex RFP presentation is effective.
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"Ban Bad Meetings." Charlotte Business Journal, August 24, 2007. Bad meetings are the No. 1 offender when it comes to squandering the face-to-face time that should be energizing. But what if your employees looked forward to meetings instead of dreading them? To inspire your employees, start by blowing up your weekly meeting. Call together the attendees to announce the old meeting is not working and you need their help in building a new meeting. Create it as a group project. Have all participants tell the team what they want in the new meeting.
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"Speak with Authenticity." Charlotte Business Journal, August 3, 2007. Speak with Authenticity. Most of us struggle to gain the credibility you can only get from being yourself.
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"Business Women of the Year Finalist." Today's Charlotte Woman Magazine, April, 2007. Lou Solomon talks about teaching Authentic Communication and giving back.
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"Don't Focus on the Money." Charlotte Business Journal Big Ideas, 2006. Entrepreneurs talk about what they do and why they do it. "Philosophy: Don't focus on the money. Focus on creating something remarkable."
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Charlotte Business Journal, 2005. "Solomon's company teaches executives to weave stories and authenticity into their presentations and make them more like chatting with friends across a kitchen table instead of talking to a big room of strangers."
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Charlotte Business Journal 2004 Women in Business Achievement Awards. "What we see with our clients is, when people discover they can reconnect with their own sense of enthusiasm, and they come from that place of authenticity, something remarkable happens."
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Greater Charlotte Biz Magazine, 2004. A far cry from your college speech class, Interact goes well beyond the borders of traditional speech coaching...Solomon has developed a cult following of some of the most prominent executives in the area by teaching her brand of authentic expression.
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Charlotte Realtor Reflections Magazine, 2003. Lou Solomon teaches Authentic Speaking to CRRA Leadership Group with videotaped presentations that allow members of the group to coach each other. Final presentations gave participants the opportunity to communicate the value of doing business with them.
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