The document provides tips for communicating in a brain-friendly way to effectively engage and influence others. It discusses how neuroscience research shows the brain is more emotional and tires quickly. It recommends 7 ways to communicate clearly, concisely and compellingly: name things, be positive, improve clarity, be visual, use metaphors, set deadlines, and slow down. Specific tactics are outlined, and resources are provided to learn more communication strategies grounded in brain science.

1. Communicate the Brain-friendly Way:
Tips to Engage, Not Upset, People You Want to Influence
Liz Guthridge
April 2012
1 l © 2012 Connect Consulting Group LLC.

2. Topics
• What?
• So what?
• Now what?
@lizguthridge
2 l © 2012 Connect Consulting Group LLC.

3. What’s going on?—Caveat
I’m not a doctor, neither in
RL nor played on TV.
Instead, I’m a Results coach
and consultant with brain-
friendly training.
By Dave Elfanbaum
3 l © 2012 Connect Consulting Group LLC.

4. What’s going on?—Work trends
Working (and playing)
from anywhere
More project-based work
with more diverse teams
Faster
pace Increase in work
quantity
More global orientation
4 l © 2012 Connect Consulting Group LLC.

5. What’s going on? —Work trends
Using “weapons of mass
distraction” that are connecting
and merging
Demanding bite-sized information for
our snack culture
“Asking and engaging,” not
“telling and selling”
5 l © 2012 Connect Consulting Group LLC.

6. What’s going on?—Communication
Big
bangs
Data dumps
6 l © 2012 Connect Consulting Group LLC.

7. What’s going on?—Scientific research
Neuroscience research shows the brain:
Is more
emotional, Tires
less quickly
rational
Hardwires
Is unique everything,
Is a yet easy to
connection rewire
machine
7 l © 2012 Connect Consulting Group LLC.

8. What’s going on?
What Disconnect
science
knows
What
business
does
8 l © 2012 Connect Consulting Group LLC.

9. So what?
7 ways to communicate in a brain-friendly way
Name Be Clear
Be C³ Concise
things positive
1. Improve clarity Compelling
Use Set
Be visual
metaphors deadlines
Slow
down
9 l © 2012 Connect Consulting Group LLC.

10. So what?
Name things: Anxious
• Emotions
• Programs
Infinite
• Goals
Possibilities
to help the pre‐frontal
cortex conserve energy for
other tasks. Goal: Answer
to “My trusted
advisor”
10 l © 2012 Connect Consulting Group LLC.

11. So what?
Be positive
without sugarcoating….
to avoid “fight or flight”
and help us be more open
and curious to new things.
Silent, Sugarcoated Moose®
11 l © 2012 Connect Consulting Group LLC.

12. So what?
Be C³
• Clear
• Concise
• Compelling
to help us grasp and
remember.
“Wow, he’s handsome! He
looks like a young George
Clooney in a dog’s body!”
12 l © 2012 Connect Consulting Group LLC.

13. So what?
Be visual
to get our attention and
help us remember
because the brain pays
more attention to visuals
than to sounds, even for
audio‐based learners.
cloud computing
13 l © 2012 Connect Consulting Group LLC.

14. So what?
“Assumptions are the
termites of relationships,”
Use metaphors
‐‐ Henry Winkler
Explain that “A is B” to
help us connect the
abstract to the concrete.
14 l © 2012 Connect Consulting Group LLC.

15. So what?
Set deadlines • DUE BY FRIDAY EOB
to give us a sense of
certainty, which the brain • ACTION REQUIRED BY
craves. 3/15
• Deadline: April 15
15 l © 2012 Connect Consulting Group LLC.

16. So what?
Slow down… Unplug
and reduce external
Exercise
stimulus to help us
tap into our
unconsciousness.
About 90% of our brain Sleep
processing is
unconscious, which works
on problems, makes
connections and creates
ah-ha moments.
16 l © 2012 Connect Consulting Group LLC.

17. Now what?
Embrace the science
Pause and ponder
First try 1 – 3 ideas
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18. Now what?
Discipline
• Try 1‐3 on • Learn more
your own • Test and • Join me
refine
Resources
Actions
18 l © 2012 Connect Consulting Group LLC.

19. Now what?
For example, C³: clear, concise and compelling
• Be clear on intent.
• Try 1‐3 on • Provide specifics.
your own • Use Word readability stats:
• Passive sentences: less than
20%
• Flesch reading ease: 40% or
more
Actions • Flesch-Kincaid grade level:
10 or lower
• Structure as WIIFM
• Have call to action
19 l © 2012 Connect Consulting Group LLC.

20. Now what? Resources
For all resources
http://connectconsultinggroup.com/hrdotcom/
20 l © 2012 Connect Consulting Group LLC.

21. Now what? Stay in touch
7 mistakes
leaders make when
introducing change
Connect:
www.linkedin.com/in/lizguthridge
E-mail:
info@connectconsultinggroup.com
Participate:
http://connectconsultinggroup.com/strategic
actiongroup/
21 l © 2012 Connect Consulting Group LLC.