NeuroConversant Leadership

Have you ever wondered why some stories capture the audience and some fall flat? Jeremy went to his first Moth Storytelling event and would like to share what he learned!

You can listen to the Moth stories on NPR, or on their website https://themoth.org/podcast where you can also purchase their books and even their story telling game!

Chapters

00:00 The Power of Storytelling

00:58 New Chapter 2

03:13 Telling a story in present tense vs. past tense

05:10 How to interpret a theme or question in a story

06:14 Engaging the Audience Through Present Tense

06:47 Letting people know how long a talk will be

07:17 Having a theme

07:56 Lessons from the Moth Storytelling Event

08:22 How to learn more about Moth Storytelling

Takeaways

Storytelling is a powerful tool for communication.

Engaging the audience is crucial; present tense helps.

Themes in storytelling can be interpreted broadly.

Memorizing a talk can lead to a lack of emotion.

Five minutes is an ideal length for presentations.

Having a clear theme keeps the audience engaged.

Personal stories can effectively convey business lessons.

Observing others' storytelling can enhance your own skills.

Emotional connections are key to compelling storytelling.

Resources like the Moth can provide valuable storytelling insights.

Have you been hearing the term NeuroDivergent all over the place, but not know exactly what it means? How about NeuroDiversity or NeuroTypical?

In this conversation, Dr. Matthew Zakreski and Jeremy Doran delve into the complexities of neurodiversity, exploring its definitions, implications, and the importance of understanding different brain types. They discuss the roles of neurotypical and neurodivergent brains, the significance of the prefrontal cortex, and the challenges faced by individuals with executive dysfunction. The conversation emphasizes the need for skill-building, coping techniques, and redefining success in personal and professional contexts. Dr. Zakreski shares insights on communication, creativity, and the importance of small talk in networking, while also highlighting resources available for the neurodivergent community. Ultimately, the discussion aims to empower individuals by fostering knowledge and understanding of their unique brain functions.

If you want to learn more about Dr. Matt for your organization, click on

https://www.drmattzakreski.com/

Want to learn more about this topic for yourself? You can learn more at

https://www.theneurodiversitycollective.com/

Takeaways

Neurodiversity encompasses all brain types in the world.

Neurodivergent brains have quantifiable differences in form or function.

The prefrontal cortex is crucial for executive functioning skills.

Willpower is a finite resource that can be depleted.

Success can be redefined beyond traditional metrics.

Understanding differences can lead to better communication.

Small talk serves as a means to navigate social situations.

Creativity manifests differently across various thinkers.

Pro-social behavior can enhance networking experiences.

Knowledge about one's neurodivergence can empower individuals.

Have you ever had a conversation go sideways? Afterwards think "If I had only"...or just not gotten the results you were hoping for?

In this conversation, Jeremy Doran discusses the importance of gaining control of conversations and offers a method called PTSD (Preparation, Time, Subject, Deliverable) to help with this. He emphasizes the need for preparation, including researching and taking notes ahead of time, and suggests sharing an agenda if necessary. He also advises scheduling conversations and estimating the time needed, as well as informing the other person if there may be interruptions. Clarifying the subject of the conversation and stating the desired deliverable are also important. By following these steps, conversations can become more effective and productive.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: Taking Control of Any Conversation

01:28 What is P T S D

01:40 Preparation

2:38 Time

4:12 Subject

5:03 Deliverable

7:50 Business and non-business conversation benefits

8:30 I want to hear your stories!

Do you struggle to convey complex information in a Power Point presentation? Meet Emily Schneider.

In this episode, Jeremy Doran interviews Emily Schneider, a visual storyteller who helps business leaders simplify complex information using PowerPoint. Emily works with clients in various industries, including pharma, business intelligence, data, finance, and technology. She focuses on creating visual presentations that drive audience engagement and help leaders articulate their stories. Emily emphasizes the importance of simplicity, consistency, and intentionality in slide design. She also discusses the use of visuals, such as images, illustrations, and icons, to enhance presentations. Planning ahead and practicing are key to delivering a confident and impactful presentation.

You can learn more about Emily at

Websites

Sound Bites

"I describe myself as a visual storyteller."

"When things are visually designed, you're 65% more likely to retain information than when it's just copy and when it's not consistent."

"Practice your presentation to be able to jump to any slide at any time."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview of Visual Storytelling

03:24 Simplifying Complex Information with Visuals and Storytelling

06:45 The Importance of Consistency in Color, Font, and Design

18:46 Planning Ahead and Being Intentional in Presentations

22:42 The Power of Visuals and Storytelling in Engagement and Memorability

Simplify complex information using visual storytelling in PowerPoint presentations.

Focus on simplicity, consistency, and intentionality in slide design.

Use visuals, such as images, illustrations, and icons, to enhance presentations.

Plan ahead and practice to deliver a confident and impactful presentation.

Do you struggle to ask for help? Do you ask too often? When someone asks you are you unable to say no?

In this episode, Jeremy Doran discusses the importance of asking for help and provides tips on how to ask for help effectively. He shares two stories from his own experience to illustrate the lessons he learned. The first story highlights the importance of asking directly for help and not beating around the bush. The second story emphasizes the need to empower others by encouraging them to come up with their own solutions. Jeremy also emphasizes the importance of giving trust and respect, as well as taking responsibility when asking for help.

If you know anyone who might relate to this, have them listen to this episode at www.NeuroConversantLeadership.com

Sound Bites

"All she needed was the key to the supply cabinet."

"They were no longer coming to me to help solve a problem. They were coming to me to show off the fact that they were able to overcome an issue."

"If you flinch when you ask, they're going to think it's a big deal. If you just say, this is what I need, it's a lot easier to get them to agree."

Takeaways

Ask for help directly and be specific about what you need.

Give trust and respect to those who ask for help.

Take responsibility for asking for help and come up with potential solutions.

Empower others by trusting them to make good decisions.

Share the episode with managers or teachers who struggle with taking responsibility for their own problems.

Have you ever had to lead a group without having any authority to enforce your directions? That takes a special kind of leadership.

Hannah shares her journey of becoming a captain at a young age and the challenges she faced. She discusses the importance of communication, learning to use her voice, and adapting her leadership style to meet the needs of different team members. Hannah also talks about the differences between public and private schools and the importance of honesty in communication.

-Keywords-

leadership, communication, informal leader, captain, basketball, lacrosse, public school, private school, honesty

-Takeaways-

Wouldn't it be easier if we never had to talk to "Those People"? But life is so much richer when we do!

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 Embracing Diversity in the Workplace

02:33 Reaching Across the Aisle for the Best Solutions

04:21 The Responsibility of Neurodivergent Individuals

05:48 Understanding and Appreciating Diverse Viewpoints

Have you been left to just figure out how to become a manager? You are not alone!

In this episode, Jeremy Doran interviews Edward Morgan, the founder of Gordian Knot, about the transition from being an engineer to a leadership role. He emphasizes the need for training and support for new managers and the value of taking an engineering approach to problem-solving in management. Plus, he loves and seeks out feedback constantly!

You can read out to him at

https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwardpmorgan/

or

https://www.gordianknot.company/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:14 Effective Interviewing Techniques for Software Engineers

05:32 Lessons Learned from Transitioning into a Management Role

14:14 The Value of Feedback in Leadership

19:44 Improving Communication by Avoiding Assumptions

27:27 How to Connect with Edward Morgan

Keywords

engineer, leadership role, Gordian Knot, hiring processes, software engineers, neurodivergent individuals, communication styles, transition, manager, feedback, micromanagement, training, problem-solving

I often ask myself when navigating conflict...what would an engineer do!

In this episode, Jeremy Doran discusses why engineers are great at conflict resolution without compromising. He emphasizes the importance of stating assumptions and seeking the best solution instead of settling for a compromise. Using the example of planning a vacation, he shows how engineers can find a third option that satisfies both parties. By checking assumptions and looking for the best outcome, conflicts can be resolved in a way that leaves everyone happier.

Chapters

00:00 Why Engineers Are Great at Conflict Resolution Without Compromising

01:04 Stating Assumptions and Seeking the Best Solution

05:09 Finding a Third Option Instead of Compromising

06:27 Channeling Your Inner Engineer for Effective Conflict Resolution

Takeaways

Engineers are skilled at conflict resolution because they state their assumptions and seek the best solution.

Compromising often leads to a solution that makes everyone slightly less unhappy, but it is not the best outcome.

Instead of compromising, channel your inner engineer and look for a third solution that satisfies both parties.

By checking assumptions and seeking the best solution, conflicts can be resolved in a way that leaves everyone happier.

Do you struggle to make real connections with people over zoom?

Evgeniy Kharam, a cybersecurity expert and author, discusses the importance of soft skills and effective communication. He emphasizes the need to connect with others, especially in a virtual environment, and highlights the power of voice and breathing techniques in overcoming fear and improving communication. Evgeniy also shares the value of asking open-ended questions and using pauses to enhance communication. He recommends self-awareness and self-improvement as key components of becoming a better communicator.

You can reach him on linked in at

http://security-architecture.org/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:31 The Importance of Soft Skills in Effective Communication

07:25 Overcoming Fear and Improving Communication

09:32 The Power of Self-Awareness and Curiosity in Communication

16:35 Building Personal Connections and Adapting to Different People

23:24 Enhancing Communication Skills with 'Soft Skills Stack'

27:21 Favorite Travel Destinations and Communicators

29:48 One Piece of Communication Advice

32:05 Conclusion and Contact Information

Sound Bites

"Soft skills is something that's important for everyone in our life, not just for people that are selling stuff."

"Slowing down your breathing forces your body to slow down as well, reframing your focus from being afraid to being present."

"Replace filler words with pauses. Two seconds of silence won't hurt, and it can make your communication more impactful."