http://www.dontjusttalkbeheard.com/blog Communication Coaching with David Levin Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:30:26 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I was at a conference this last week and it reminded me again how much I hate PowerPoint. I’m sorry, but I really do. It just makes for the most awful, boring, “shoot me now” presentations I’ve ever seen. There are two big mistakes people make with PowerPoint: 1) They make ... http://www.dontjusttalkbeheard.com/blog/presentation-tip-2-the-powerpoint-problem/ How do you like giving presentations? Do you look forward to it? If so, you’re in the minority. It scares most people to death! I was in Atlanta doing a session this last Monday—for Anthem/BCBS—and it reminded me that I actually love it. (Especially when it’s with such a great ... http://www.dontjusttalkbeheard.com/blog/presentation-tip-be-the-host/ NOTE: As I was finishing up Don’t Just Talk, Be Heard! last Spring, my good friend John Miller called one day to say he had a new book he wanted to write. (Translation: Let’s start writing—today!) Fantastic!, I thought. And, AAAAHHH!!! Needless to say the next few months were crazy. ... http://www.dontjusttalkbeheard.com/blog/elevate-the-conversation-outstanding/ Four years ago, we started a new family tradition. During the last week of the year, we all sit on the couch, turn the video camera on ourselves, and recap everything that’s happened during the year. At this stage, with two kids under five, the videos are very sweet. I ... http://www.dontjusttalkbeheard.com/blog/2020-vision-not-for-your-eyes-for-your-life/ One of the things I find most sweet about Peter at this age is that he hasn’t quite developed his lying skills yet, or the instincts to cover up bad behavior. For example: “Peter, where are you? What are you doing?” “Don’t come in here.” “Why?” “I don’t want to tell you.” “Why not?” “Because it’s ... http://www.dontjusttalkbeheard.com/blog/ho-ho-ho-ha-ha-ha-he-he-he/ I met my wife, Margret, in the Fall of 1987, waiting tables in an Italian restaurant in downtown Minneapolis. I was 28, she was 22, and we were both somewhat adrift at the time, though me much more so than her. I was just coming off of ten years playing ... http://www.dontjusttalkbeheard.com/blog/wonderful-beautiful/ Ever said something you wish you could take back? Me too. Here's one from 25 years ago. (It's not that I have to go back that far to find an example. Just to find one that doesn't still hurt.) :-) Back then, I was on the road full-time playing music, and ... http://www.dontjusttalkbeheard.com/blog/you-cant-take-it-back/ Here's something you can take to the bank: If you're having some sort of trouble with someone—conflict, tension, bad blood, whatever—nothing gets things back on track like a good old-fashioned apology. "But I didn't do anything wrong!" you say, "It wasn’t my fault." I understand. And I didn't say it was. But ... http://www.dontjusttalkbeheard.com/blog/try-saying-im-sorry/ Okay, so you want to start a business selling pens online. Sounds like a good enough idea. So, what’s a good name for your company? How about “Pen Island”? Not sure what pens have to do with islands, but it’s a surprising combination of images that seems to stick in ... http://www.dontjusttalkbeheard.com/blog/pen-island/ I got a nice note back from a Don’t Just Talk reader the other day. The note basically said, “Really enjoyed the book, thanks. One thing though: Rather than coaching, I’ve always relied on mentoring, and recommend mentoring to other leaders too. Just another thought.” First, let me say that this ... http://www.dontjusttalkbeheard.com/blog/mentor-or-communication-coach/