Things17Powerful people say

Hello, I’m Sam
Richards.
1

Next time you’re surrounded by
unfamiliar professionals, pay attention TO the way each person in the room introduces themselves. 1

Next time you’re surrounded by
unfamiliar professionals, pay attention TO the way each person in the room introduces themselves. Chances are, more men in the room will use their full name, while women will simply say “Hi, I’m Julia.” 1

Next time you’re surrounded by
unfamiliar professionals, pay attention TO the way each person in the room introduces themselves. Chances are, more men in the room will use their full name, while women will simply say “Hi, I’m Julia.” Using your full name is not only a more memorable way to forge a connection, but also makes for a more confident first impression. 1

Here’s what I can tell
you. 2

Sitting in a big meeting
that’s being derailed by irrelevant questions? 2

Sitting in a big meeting
that’s being derailed by irrelevant questions? Bring the conversation back on point and assert your accountability for what is known, the work that’s been done, and the way forward. 2

That’s exactly the question I’m
working to answer. 3

Sounds much
better thAn:
3

Sounds much better thAn: I
don’t know. 3

Sounds much better thAn: I
don’t know. Wouldn’t you agree? 3

Let’s loop David in here.
He’s better positioned to provide you with actionable insight on that. 4

4 Sometimes you’re asked to
shed light ON something that doesn’t quite fall within the boundaries of your sandbox.

4 Sometimes you’re asked to
shed light ON something that doesn’t quite fall within the boundaries of your sandbox. Instead of attempting to answer a question you aren’t fully qualified to answer, use the opportunity to acknowledge the skills and expertise of a colleague and play a more powerful ‘pass’ card on the question at hand.

Thank you.
5

5
Stop
over-apologising.

5 Stop over-apologising. Next time
somebody criticises you in any way, thank them sincerely for sharing their opinion with you (whether you agree with them or not).

5 Stop over-apologising. Next time
somebody criticises you in any way, thank them sincerely for sharing their opinion with you (whether you agree with them or not). #SorryNotSorry

Last week Wednesday, we learned
that several oversights had occurred, resulting in the project setbacks we’re experiencing now. Quick investigation allowed us to take decisive action and we’re currently rolling out the following solutions... 6

6
Crisis
communication
101?

6 Crisis communication 101? Prepare
yourself with an all-encompassing holding statement, based on the action you plan to take.

Wow. That sounds
challenging.
7

7 You’d be surprised how
powerful these four little words can be.

7 You’d be surprised how
powerful these four little words can be. Nearly everyone in the world believes their job to be difficult, says Paul Ford.

7 You’d be surprised how
powerful these four little words can be. Nearly everyone in the world believes their job to be difficult, says Paul Ford. Empathy is not only essential to cooperation, problem-solving, and to human functioning in general, but is also an emotional capacity that yields a lot of influence over those who believe you have it.

No.
8

8 As long as you
close with an expression of gratitude, saying ‘no’ is something you should practise, daily.

8 As long as you
close with an expression of gratitude, saying ‘no’ is something you should practise, daily. Next time somebody asks you to take on something you don’t have space for, try a tactful, but firm, no. Something along the lines of:

8 As long as you
close with an expression of gratitude, saying ‘no’ is something you should practise, daily. Next time somebody asks you to take on something you don’t have space for, try a tactful, but firm, no. Something along the lines of: My calendar is pleasantly full — and I’m striving to keep it from getting (un)pleasantly full. Thank you for understanding.

Why wait?
9

9 Powerful people make things
happen.

9 Powerful people make things
happen. Practise being the person who moves projects forward by asking

9 Powerful people make things
happen. Practise being the person who moves projects forward by asking “What next?”

9 Powerful people make things
happen. Practise being the person who moves projects forward by asking “What next?” “What else?”

9 Powerful people make things
happen. Practise being the person who moves projects forward by asking “What next?” “What else?” “Why not?”

9 Powerful people make things
happen. Practise being the person who moves projects forward by asking “What next?” “What else?” “Why not?” - and then take accountability for the actionable outcomes you receive in response.

Let’s reach
higher.
10

Before you speak, ask yourself
if you’re communicating with the intent to make things better, in some way. 10

Before you speak, ask yourself
if you’re communicating with the intent to make things better, in some way. Put yourself in the place of the person you’re talking to, and then craft your words around creating the kind of challenge that’ll make them want to think bigger. 10

Trust yourself.
11

Everybody appreciates a little verbal
affirmation. 11

Everybody appreciates a little verbal
affirmation. As you become more adept at personal encouragement, you’ll start to see the power that lies in stripping away those forces that hold people back from reaching their full potential. 11

I’m listening.
12

Bonus tip?
12

Bonus tip? Combine that confirmation
of your full attention with a dose of steady, confident eye contact. 12

Can you show us how
you do that? 13

Watching somebody else do something
is a powerful exercise. 13

Watching somebody else do something
is a powerful exercise. Owing to the section of our brains responsible for the firing of “mirror neurons”, we are all hardwired for interpersonal imitation. 13

Watching somebody else do something
is a powerful exercise. Owing to the section of our brains responsible for the firing of “mirror neurons”, we are all hardwired for interpersonal imitation. If you want to influence your team’s behavior, show them somebody else doing the things you want to see them doing more often. 13

Let me tell you a
quick story about that. 14

14 Engaging stories catch and
hold the attention of audiences because people enjoy the simplicity oF chronological cause and effect.

14 Engaging stories catch and
hold the attention of audiences because people enjoy the simplicity oF chronological cause and effect. When you want to make it easy for your listeners to assign causality between a set of specific circumstances and their related outcomes, frame your message as a story.

14 Engaging stories catch and
hold the attention of audiences because people enjoy the simplicity oF chronological cause and effect. When you want to make it easy for your listeners to assign causality between a set of specific circumstances and their related outcomes, frame your message as a story. When you enchant people, your goal is not to make money from them or to get them to do what you want, but instead to fill them with great delight – Guy Kawasaki

You ran a half-marathon this
weekend? Awesome. 15

People like people who like
them. 15

People like people who like
them. Uncover common points of interest; seize opportunities to express your admiration of innovative work or interesting lifestyle choices; and practice conversational styles that leave people feeling admired, inspired, enlightened, or entertained. 15

How much closer are you
to achieving your long-term objectives? 16

Look for opportunities
16

Look for opportunities to demonstrate
your awareness of the bigger-picture goals unique to your organisation, business, direction of your career path, and the career paths of those around you. 16

It was an exceptional team
effort. 17

Nothing worthwhile is achieved in
isolation. 17

Nothing worthwhile is achieved in
isolation. Exercise gratitude; ask for help; freely compliment great work and share credit whenever you can. 17

Ultimately, power comes in various
shapes and sizes over the course of a career.

For some, power means financial
gain or a promotion; for others, it might be achieving work/life balance or building their own business.

For some, power means financial
gain or a promotion; for others, it might be achieving work/life balance or building their own business. The one thing we can all agree on?

Knowledge = Power.

Empower yourself with a world-class
education from the University of Cape Town and GetSmarter:

Empower yourself with a world-class
education from the University of Cape Town and GetSmarter: getsmarter.co.za

Improving lives through better education
www.getsmarter.co.za