Do “Good”

Tom Callos repost

Having spent 30 years (or so) of effort in trying to help the international martial arts community define and embrace what good teaching is, what ethical business practices are, and how to effectively and efficiently operate martial arts schools --that matter...

...and now being in a position, having stepped away, to look at the big(ger) picture of it all, it sort of comes to this:

Do Good.

Many of the things endlessly debated about "business" in the martial arts business community, are actually common-sense housekeeping and organizational issues. It's as if we need to discuss, again, how to get dressed in nice, clean, color-coordinated clothes --- how to carry some money in our wallets, how to brush our teeth and comb our hair(s), how to greet people, how to tie our shoes, how not to spend more money than we have  ----you know, things we should have on automatic.

What we must continue discussing is not the common fundamentals of getting dressed and being a functional human being, but in what we DO once our shoes are tied and we look presentable.

We should focus on the opposite of DOING BAD...which is DOING GOOD, yes?

Good for ourselves, good for others, good for our neighbors, our friends, the community we live in, and things that we can do a little of, for the world, that when done by millions of other people, make a difference on a global scale.

Your school "marketing" could (and should) be about how you carry out this mission, thru the efforts of the people you have influence with.

How much you charge (it isn't much), how many classes someone can take, how much YOU know and how many medals you've won and how great you are --take a giant backseat to the action, the GOOD action, you inspire in your community, through your students. Those are the stories to tell.

TEST: look back on all your community communication (marketing) you've done in the last 100 days --and total the amount of "ads" that communicate your mission to contribute thru the efforts of those you influence.

Then, pledge to start adjusting your efforts to reflect how the work you do is taken out of your dojo and put to work in the world.

100 days from now could you have told 50 stories of how your work manifests itself in the world --to the benefit of other people, places, and things?

I'd say that the quality of that effort reflects your intelligence, your objectives, and the way your community values you and the work you seek to do.

Rohn: 8 Ways to Master the Art of Communication

Rohn: 8 Ways to Master the Art of Communication

Verbal Communication

1. Your words

It’s been said that people judge you by the words you use, and this is true. Choose your words wisely. Words have power. They have the power to move nations and they have the power to destroy as well. When you speak, use your words carefully.

Here are a few things to consider in regard to your words:

·                  Avoid using words that will cause the other person to think poorly of you. Slang is one example. Another is, of course, slurs of any type. Use words that communicate positive values. Use optimistic words, words of strength. Make sure they are understandable.

·                  Use words that are colorful and rich with meaning, as long as they can be understood by the listener.

2. Your Vocabulary

An expanded vocabulary will set you apart. It enhances the communication process and draws others in.

Your vocabulary can reveal to others how educated you are, and others may make judgments about you that can affect your opportunities with them. The best communicators will use an expanded vocabulary with more educated groups and a more basic vocabulary with less-educated groups.

Just as important as what you say is how you say it. What tone are you using? When you speak, are you monotone? Or do you move the tone of your voice, changing it up? This will naturally help people follow what you’re saying. Changing the tone of your voice is a very effective way to draw people into your message. Imagine if a painter only used one color. We want lots of color and lots of tone.

Along with the words you use and your tone, consider your pace. Sometimes when you speak you may need to go slowly, and sometimes you may need to go very fast. The speed with which you speak will tell others certain things. A fast pace will communicate that you’re excited about something. A slow pace usually communicates thoughtfulness or that you really want them to hear your point.

Choosing your pace is also like using your volume in an effective way. Master communicators will draw their audience in by fluctuating their voice from very loud to a near whisper. The audience doesn’t even know that the speaker is taking them on a roller coaster ride of communication. There are lessons to be learned here. Even in a one-on-one conversation, we can shift and change volume, keeping our communication more effective.

3. Emotion

The emotions you communicate while speaking are vital. The key here is to show emotion without “getting emotional.” Emotions can be a very effective communicator. For example, showing anger can communicate that you are very serious about something (as long as you don’t get angry often). Allowing yourself to cry can show a side of you to others that communicates that you are a person of passion who, while being a hard-charging person who desires success, also has a tender side. Allowing yourself to laugh will communicate that you have a fun side and do not take yourself too seriously. Emotion, if controlled, is a powerful communicator.

4. Enunciation

Do you speak clearly so people can understand you? Enunciation is an often-overlooked key to effective communication. It’s imperative to clearly enunciate our words so that people understand us. Clear enunciation gives us a little “punch” to our communication. Work on enunciating your words clearly. The key is to get it just right—enunciating so that your words don’t run together but not over-enunciating so that you sound unnatural.

In all of these principles, the idea is variety. Anytime we communicate in a single way, we become predictable and people stop listening. Think of yourself. Do you like to listen to people who speak at one speed, in one tone, with a boring vocabulary and without emotion? Of course not! Then we should make every effort to be colorful and effective communicators. And we can be—if we work at it and practice, practice, practice!

Nonverbal Communication

What you say affects how you communicate, certainly, but just as important is what you don’t say. Yes, your nonverbal communication has a major impact on how well you communicate.

Have you ever given much thought to how you communicate nonverbally? Here are some thoughts on ways to use nonverbal communication to support what you’re saying verbally.

5. Your Hands

Keeping your hands by your side will make you seem stiff and uncomfortable. Instead, use your hands to communicate. Now, don’t get too demonstrative to the point where people are wondering where your hands are going next. One way to see what you do nonverbally is to record yourself speaking. Watch what you do with your hands.

6. Your Eyes

The eyes can be a very powerful tool in communication. You know the old saying, “the eyes are the window to your soul”? It’s true. Think of what a mother communicates to her newborn when she gazes into their eyes, or what a couple says without words when they look into each other’s eyes. The eyes speak volumes.

Have you spoken with someone who is constantly looking around? What does that communicate? A lack of interest in what you have to say.

When you speak to someone, look at them. Give them your attention with your eyes. Listen to them with your eyes. Communicate with them that they are important.

7. Your Arms

Some people don’t even realize when they’re “closed off” to someone else by crossing their arms when the other person is speaking. Those who study this tell us that crossing the arms is a surefire way to close yourself off from the other person. It communicates closure, fear and opposition.

8. Speaking Position

When you’re communicating, especially in a presentation situation, your speaking position, whether you are standing, sitting, kneeling, etc., can communicate a lot.

For example, my good friend Zig Ziglar, a master of the stage, will frequently move to the front of the stage and kneel. What is he nonverbally communicating? He is saying, “Listen closely to this. This is really important.” He is bringing the audience in for an intimate moment. Even in a room with 1,000 people, this way of communicating can make every individual feel like Zig is speaking closely to just them.

Sitting communicates casualness. I know many speakers will give a considerable part of their presentation this way. John C. Maxwell, another friend of mine, and a world-class leadership expert, gives quite a bit of his speeches while sitting. His style is informative and casual—and it is effective.