Elevator Speeches

Each time we find ourselves having a conversation with a superior, a coworker, or one of our employees, it is an opportunity to communicate. All too often, these opportunities are squandered. Take a moment at each interaction to consider what you would like to accomplish in your brief communications. Do you want to build a closer relationship? Do you want to persuade someone of something? Do you want to inform them on something, or motivate them to action? Work on your awareness of these interactions, and the kinds of messages you want to send. Choose the right words for the audience you have before you and don't introduce more than one core item in these brief conversations. In doing so, you will plant a seed and create an opportunity for more discussions later. It's like laying the foundation of a building yet to be built.