Suppose you say something to someone - you think you've said X but they hear Y. It's a common scenario, a misunderstanding perhaps, but it can have consequences.

This is one aspect of today's episode, exploring the minefield which is conversation. It's highly likely you'll be doing some of the things you hear in this clip within hours (maybe minutes) of listening - both good and bad!

Here's a TED talk on introverts by Susan Cain.

Show is hosted by Andrew Thorp, AKA 'The Multi-Story Man'.
Andrew is a professional speaker, trainer and consultant in the field of verbal communication and storytelling in the business world.

Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn.

Track: Travel With Us — Vendredi [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: https://youtu.be/o-rpKzt4KSY​ Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/travel-us

Podcast artwork by Peter Thorp
Microphone image: Photo by Claus Grünstäudl on Unsplash
Banner image in main feed: Photo by Claudio Schwarz | @purzlbaum on Unsplash

When it comes to communicating with another person, one thing in particular will influence how it goes - your INTENT.

Are you there to get a sale, to show you're knowledgeable or prove to the other person the folly of their ways?

In this episode of Leaning Forward, I look at 3 activities where intent can work for you, or scupper your chances of a good outcome - speaking, listening and networking.

Here's the impressions masterclass video, mentioned in the audio.
This is the TEDx talk by Scott Pierce.

Show is hosted by Andrew Thorp, AKA 'The Multi-Story Man'.
Andrew is a professional speaker, trainer and consultant in the field of verbal communication and storytelling in the business world.

Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn.

Track: Travel With Us — Vendredi [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: https://youtu.be/o-rpKzt4KSY​ Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/travel-us

Podcast artwork by Peter Thorp
Microphone image: Photo by Claus Grünstäudl on Unsplash
Banner image in main feed: Photo by Claudio Schwarz | @purzlbaum on Unsplash

"So, what do you do?"

Surely that's the most straightforward question to answer, but somehow it's not. For some reason it doesn't help that we know our work intimately! In this episode we explore this crucial business skill and we start way back in the 19th century with what some claim to be the world's first 'elevator pitch'.

Show is hosted by Andrew Thorp, AKA 'The Multi-Story Man'.
Andrew is a professional speaker, trainer and consultant in the field of verbal communication and storytelling in the business world.

Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn.

Track: Travel With Us — Vendredi [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: https://youtu.be/o-rpKzt4KSY​ Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/travel-us

Microphone image: Photo by Claus Grünstäudl on Unsplash
Banner image in main feed: Photo by Claudio Schwarz | @purzlbaum on Unsplash

Case Studies tend not to be the most compelling of stories, but they could be - with the Hero's Journey treatment. 

Drawing lessons from the movie world, Andrew explains how to make our stories a little more adventurous, whilst keeping them believable and professional. Discover how to release your inner Spielberg and have audiences wanting more.

Show is hosted by Andrew Thorp, AKA 'The Multi-Story Man'.
Andrew is a professional speaker, trainer and consultant in the field of verbal communication and storytelling in the business world.

Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn.

Track: Travel With Us — Vendredi [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: https://youtu.be/o-rpKzt4KSY​ Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/travel-us

Microphone image: Photo by Claus Grünstäudl on Unsplash
Banner image in main feed: Photo by Claudio Schwarz | @purzlbaum on Unsplash

What has a 1960s television series got to do with business communication? Well, tune into this episode and you’ll discover how to boldly go beyond where your story has gone before.

Andrew introduces the 3 IN's of persuasion, a way to package a message into three distinctive layers, each affecting your audience in different ways.

Show is hosted by Andrew Thorp, AKA 'The Multi-Story Man'.
Andrew is a professional speaker, trainer and consultant in the field of verbal communication and storytelling in the business world.

Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn.

Track: Travel With Us — Vendredi [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: https://youtu.be/o-rpKzt4KSY​ Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/travel-us

Microphone image: Photo by Claus Grünstäudl on Unsplash
Banner image in main feed: Photo by Claudio Schwarz | @purzlbaum on Unsplash

It's a bit silly to suggest ANY presentation is 'perfect' but there's certainly a lot to learn from this short talk by Karl Southern.

There's a link HERE to a document showing some images from the talk, to help you follow the flow.

He gave this six-and-a-half minute presentation at a communication skills workshop in Manchester (UK) called 'Speakeasy'. Organised and hosted by Andrew, the idea was to test-drive some material on an audience and invite some suggestions for improvement, but things didn't go to plan. It was SO GOOD the audience struggled to find fault!
 
 That's why Andrew decided to analyse what Karl did that day, and share his thoughts with you in this episode.

It's also on YouTube and there’s a link HERE and these are the SLIDES used by Karl Southern that day.

Show is hosted by Andrew Thorp, AKA 'The Multi-Story Man'.
Andrew is a professional speaker, trainer and consultant in the field of verbal communication and storytelling in the business world.

Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn.

Track: Travel With Us — Vendredi [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: https://youtu.be/o-rpKzt4KSY​ Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/travel-us

Microphone image: Photo by Claus Grünstäudl on Unsplash
 Banner image in main feed: Photo by Claudio Schwarz | @purzlbaum on Unsplash 

"I've never actually met Sian Cardy and Stefano Capacchione from Puck Creations, but I was seduced by their recent storytelling initiative via LinkedIn and they're wonderful people with a great story of their own, so I invited them to the show! Our discussion centres around their work in brand communications, helping companies decide who they are, why they're different and how they might get that message across to their audience." (Andrew Thorp).

Their website: https://puckcreations.com/

Highlights:
04.50: The 'Storytelling with Puck' initiative
11.00: The story behind Puck Creations
21.50: Customer-led thinking (the story 'pulls'; irritation vs agitation)
27.15: Keeping your employees connected during lockdown
29.10: The importance of asking questions
35.07: Safe is risky (not everyone has to like you)
38.10: Just be YOU!
41.05: Look outside your own environment (power of 'weak ties')
44.00: "The moment I knew it was working" (International Women's Day)
48.30: Hopes for 2021.

Show is hosted by Andrew Thorp, AKA 'The Multi-Story Man'.
Andrew is a professional speaker, trainer and consultant in the field of verbal communication and storytelling in the business world.

Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn.

Track: Travel With Us — Vendredi [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: https://youtu.be/o-rpKzt4KSY​ Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/travel-us

Microphone image: Photo by Claus Grünstäudl on Unsplash
Banner image in main feed: Photo by Claudio Schwarz | @purzlbaum on Unsplash

Humour is a subjective matter but there are some things that have wide appeal when it comes to raising a smile in your audience. This episode explores what those might be, material in the everyday world that has comedic potential and could be used in a business-related or workplace situation.

With references to Monty Python and talk show guests like Tom Hanks and Salma Hayek, Andrew suggests 6 categories of material which could help you spot comedy gold in your day-to-day life.

Time-markers:
05.08 - Funny story about Gordon Brown, ex-PM
07.50 - Miscommunication
10.40 - Mismatches
12.22 - Stereotypes
16.05 - Subversion and Misdirection
18.32 - Poking fun
23.49 - The absurd

Video clips referenced:
Two Ronnies 4 Candles
Peter McGraw TED talk
Morecambe & Wise (serious guests)
Andrew Tarvin TED talk – the skill of humour
Monty Python Life of Brian (Latin grammar)
Salma Hayek on Graham Norton
Hanks, Walliams, Capaldi on Graham Norton
Ernesto Sirolli TED talk
Sir Ken Robinson TED talk
Brene Brown TED talk

Show is hosted by Andrew Thorp, AKA 'The Multi-Story Man'.
Andrew is a professional speaker, trainer and consultant in the field of verbal communication and storytelling in the business world.

Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn.

Track: Travel With Us — Vendredi [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: https://youtu.be/o-rpKzt4KSY​ Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/travel-us

Microphone image: Photo by Claus Grünstäudl on Unsplash
Banner image in main feed: Photo by Claudio Schwarz | @purzlbaum on Unsplash

In this episode Andrew provides some great examples of how to open a talk, everything from a cheeky child and a ping pong ball to a funny accountant and a Morecambe & Wise sketch (the Andre Previn one, if you're intrigued to know!).

It's a longer tutorial that normal so here are some 'place points' to help you navigate the content:

1.03: ping pong ball
2.43: primacy and recency (how you start, how you finish)
4.23: factors which influence your approach
5.30: open with a story
7.44: present two contrasting versions of the same thing
8.52: open with some numbers
10.52: zoom in, zoom out
11.20: focus on something personal in the audience
14.30: start with something random (use a metaphor)
17.37: the elevator pitch (accountant, fitness trainer, Morecambe & Wise)

The TED talk by Per Espen Stoknes.

Show is hosted by Andrew Thorp, AKA 'The Multi-Story Man'.
Andrew is a professional speaker, trainer and consultant in the field of verbal communication and storytelling in the business world.

Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn.

Track: Travel With Us — Vendredi [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: https://youtu.be/o-rpKzt4KSY​ Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/travel-us

Microphone image: Photo by Claus Grünstäudl on Unsplash
Banner image in main feed: Photo by Claudio Schwarz | @purzlbaum on Unsplash

Stories are a wonderful way to create a connection with your audience, but many people say, "That's all very well but I don't have any!" In this episode, Andrew pushes back against this notion and suggests that stories are everywhere - but we need the eyes to see them. He provides some great examples which may help you find inspiration in the world around you.

Check out Andrew's TEDx talk from 2016 entitled, "You may be more interesting than you think you are".

Show is hosted by Andrew Thorp, AKA 'The Multi-Story Man'.
Andrew is a professional speaker, trainer and consultant in the field of verbal communication and storytelling in the business world.

Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn.

Track: Travel With Us — Vendredi [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: https://youtu.be/o-rpKzt4KSY​ Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/travel-us

Microphone image: Photo by Claus Grünstäudl on Unsplash
Banner image in main feed: Photo by Claudio Schwarz | @purzlbaum on Unsplash