Crash Courses in Communication with Alex Perry

Best Practices for Visuals

December 28, 2023 06:00 - 15 minutes - 21.5 MB

This episode wraps up the Presenting Made Simple series. This series is designed for growth-minded leaders who want to make a lasting impact on their audiences without the cookie-cutter tactics taught in traditional public speaking courses. Instead, you’ll learn practical and applicable techniques to present calm and assurance. In this episode, you will learn how to use visuals that engage your audience. We wrap this series up with next steps to help you put to work what you have learned ...

Engaging Your Audience

December 14, 2023 06:00 - 14 minutes - 20.7 MB

This episode is part of a series called Presenting Made Simple. It’s designed for growth-minded leaders who want to make a lasting impact on their audiences without the cookie-cutter tactics taught in traditional public speaking courses. Instead, you’ll learn practical and applicable techniques to present calm and assurance. In this episode, you will learn how to engage your audience. Presenting Made Simple Video Course https://pswithalex.com/presenting-made-simple/ Sign up for...

Crafting a Compelling Story: Business vs. Interpersonal

November 30, 2023 06:00 - 10 minutes - 16.8 MB

This episode is part of a series called Presenting Made Simple. It’s designed for growth-minded leaders who want to make a lasting impact on their audiences without the cookie-cutter tactics taught in traditional public speaking courses. Instead, you’ll learn practical and applicable techniques to present calm and assurance. In this episode, you will learn how to craft a compelling story. Presenting Made Simple Video Course https://pswithalex.com/presenting-made-simple/ Sign up...

Understanding Your Audience

November 16, 2023 06:00 - 9 minutes - 15.8 MB

This episode is part of a series called Presenting Made Simple. It’s designed for growth-minded leaders who want to make a lasting impact on their audiences without the cookie-cutter tactics taught in traditional public speaking courses. Instead, you’ll learn practical and applicable techniques to present calm and assurance. This episode is about understanding your audience. Presenting Made Simple Video Course https://pswithalex.com/presenting-made-simple/ Sign up for my weekly...

Presenting Made Simple: Conversational Mindset versus Delivery Mindset

November 02, 2023 19:37 - 8 minutes - 15.3 MB

This episode is part of a series called Presenting Made Simple. It’s designed for growth-minded leaders who want to make a lasting impact on their audiences without the cookie-cutter tactics taught in traditional public speaking courses. Instead, you’ll learn practical and applicable techniques to present calm and assurance. This episode breaks down a conversational mindset versus a delivery mindset. Presenting Made Simple Video Course https://pswithalex.com/presenting-made-simpl...

How Do We Become the Best?

August 25, 2023 05:00 - 8 minutes - 15 MB

In this episode: You’ll hear Alex tackle the question, “How do we become the best?” Take a listen. Sign up for my weekly newsletter here. Connect with me on LinkedIn Alex Perry Instagram @pswithalex Schedule a time to talk with me here. This episode was edited and produced by Jen Edds, the head broad in charge at the Brassy Broadcasting Company.

How to be More Assertive at Work

July 27, 2023 05:00 - 11 minutes - 17.8 MB

In this episode: You’ll learn what it means to be assertive, why it matters, and 3 ways to start practicing assertiveness right now. Take a listen. This episode was edited and produced by Jenn Edds, the head broad in charge at the Brassy Broadcasting Company. Sign up for my weekly newsletter here. Connect with me on LinkedIn Alex Perry Instagram @pswithalex Schedule a time to talk with me here.

Are You Using Aggressive Communication?

July 13, 2023 05:00 - 16 minutes - 22.4 MB

In this episode: You’ll learn 10 ways you might be communicating aggressively without knowing it. Take a listen. This episode was edited and produced by Jenn Edds, the head broad in charge at the Brassy Broadcasting Company. Sign up for my weekly newsletter here. Connect with me on LinkedIn Alex Perry Instagram @pswithalex Schedule a time to talk with me here.

What is Aggressive Communication and Why Does it Matter?

June 29, 2023 05:00 - 13 minutes - 20.1 MB

In this episode: You’ll learn what aggressive communication is and why it matters at work and at home. Take a listen. Sign up for my weekly newsletter here. Connect with me on LinkedIn Alex Perry Instagram @pswithalex Schedule a time to talk with me here. This episode was edited and produced by Jen Edds, the head broad in charge at the Brassy Broadcasting Company.

How to Overcome Challenges with Passive Communication Style

June 15, 2023 05:00 - 14 minutes - 21.2 MB

In this episode: You’ll learn eight techniques to help you overcome challenges with passive communication and become more assertive at work and at home. Sign up for my weekly newsletter here. Connect with me on LinkedIn Alex Perry Instagram @pswithalex Schedule a time to talk with me here. This episode was edited and produced by Jen Edds, the head broad in charge at the Brassy Broadcasting Company.

What is Passive Communication and Why Does it Matter?

June 01, 2023 05:00 - 14 minutes - 20.4 MB

In this episode: You’ll learn what passive communication is and why it matters to you both at work and at home. Take a listen. Sign up for my weekly newsletter here. Connect with me on LinkedIn Alex Perry Instagram @pswithalex Schedule a time to talk with me here. This episode was edited and produced by Jen Edds, the head broad in charge at the Brassy Broadcasting Company.

How to Respond to Passive Aggressiveness

May 18, 2023 05:00 - 12 minutes - 18.6 MB

You’ll hear five steps to help you respond productively to passive aggressiveness and help the other person to communicate what's on their mind in a safe and effective way. Take a listen. This episode was edited and produced by Jenn Edds, the head broad in charge at the Brassy Broadcasting Company. Sign up for my weekly newsletter here. Connect with me on LinkedIn Alex Perry Instagram @pswithalex Schedule a time to talk with me here.

Passive Aggressive Much?

April 25, 2023 12:29 - 14 minutes - 20.5 MB

Passive aggressive much? You’re not alone. In this episode, Alex gives you a crash course in passive aggressiveness, specifically how do you know whether you’re being passive aggressive? You’ll learn what it means to be passive aggressive, why it’s causes us so much trouble at work and home and what to do if you if you’re struggling with passive aggressiveness. Sign up for my weekly newsletter here. Connect with me on LinkedIn Alex Perry Instagram @pswithalex Schedule a t...

How to Say No to Requests for Your Time

March 30, 2023 05:00 - 12 minutes - 19 MB

How to say no to requests for your time. Today’s question comes from my client and mentee Kiley. Kiley’s an entrepreneur and she runs a sales consulting business. She gets slammed with requests for her time to “meet up for coffee”, “catch up with each other” or “I just wanna chat and pick your brain”. These requests can from anyone, peers, colleagues, friends, co-workers, the random LinkedIn connection, someone she met at a networking event, etc. The problems come, when she turns up at t...

How Do You Repeat Yourself Without Sounding Repetitive?

March 16, 2023 06:00 - 13 minutes - 20.1 MB

Repetition gets a bad rap, because, in many instances, we don’t want to insult someone because it can come off as sounding condescending. And or we don’t want to repeat ourselves for fear that we will be boring or annoying. These are completely valid feelings. We’ve suffered at the hands of boring, condescending, and annoying people. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Understanding why, when and how to use repetition will help both you and your audience move the learning process alo...

Resiliency Revisited

February 23, 2023 06:00 - 13 minutes - 20.3 MB

Merriam-Webster defines resiliency as an ability to recover from or adjust easily to adversity or change. - comes from our ability to handle change, difficult tasks, setbacks, we work on building in by exposing ourselves to challenges not by avoiding them. We have choices when it comes to difficult takes, we freeze in fear, close our eyes in denial or we can move forward, one step at time, at our own pace, knowing that even a little bit of progress is better than no progress at all. ...

Lies Revisited: Answering a Listener Question

February 09, 2023 06:00 - 11 minutes - 18.1 MB

Today I’m revisiting an episode that I did back in September where I talked about the lies, we tell ourselves. You can listen to the episode here. Don’t want to listen and just want to know the gist of it? Sometimes we don’t take credit for our work because we’re afraid of being view as arrogant. To combat, remember that arrogant people don’t worry about whether they’re arrogant and they don’t mind winning at the cost of other people. That’s likely not you. Sometimes we don’t share our ...

How to Handle a Complainer

January 26, 2023 06:00 - 6 minutes - 13 MB

Today we’re talking about how to handle a complainer. There's nothing quite like the energy suck that comes from someone who constantly complains. It's awful to be around a complainer. They're unhappy with their work, colleagues, boss, friends, fitness, kids, partner, family, or life. And they want you to know about it. You're a good person; you've listened and tried to help them out. You've given suggestions, sent positive quotes, and pointed out the good. But they're still unhappy. Ma...

Listen

January 12, 2023 06:00 - 6 minutes - 5.92 MB

When someone comes to you with a problem, do you listen with the intent to help, or do you want to fix it? There's a difference. You are not a vending machine for answers, no matter how good that might feel to you. I want you to flip the situation and think about being the person who needs to be heard. Have you ever needed someone to listen and not fix? I have a colleague I enjoy talking with as long as we aren't discussing a problem I'm having. When I come to her with a problem, she...

Words Shape Success

December 22, 2022 06:00 - 5 minutes - 5.21 MB

Your words shape your success, the ones you say aloud and those you don't. How do I know? Confirmation bias. Defined as "the tendency to process information by looking for, or interpreting, information that is consistent with one's existing beliefs." Britannica. In my words, what we think about, we bring about. My friend, how many times have you heard someone say... "This is never going to work." and then it doesn't? "Who's going to care anyway?" and no one does. "Why bother?" and n...

How to Take a Compliment

December 08, 2022 06:00 - 6 minutes - 5.79 MB

Have you ever wondered how you're "supposed" to respond to a compliment? Do you have to give one back? What if you don't know what to say? It's OK to wonder, and I'm here to help. Saying thank you is always OK when it comes to compliments. Acknowledging a compliment is polite and shows that you appreciate the gesture. If you feel like saying thank you is boring or repetitive, try these phrases for a change;-I appreciate that. -That means a lot coming from you. -You made my day, thank...

Make Better Decisions and Build Resiliency

November 24, 2022 06:00 - 5 minutes - 5.2 MB

Today we’re talking about a question that will help you make better decisions and build resiliency. I’m guessing you're a bit like me, I think. You're interested in personal development, on a perpetual quest to be better, and love to learn. Am I right? You might also be like me in that you've run up against a lot of challenges in your life. Life hasn't always gone your way. You haven't gotten everything you've wanted, or maybe, you've been tested beyond what you thought you could han...

Turn Average Into Excellent

November 10, 2022 05:00 - 6 minutes - 5.99 MB

Good to great doesn't happen overnight, with a silver bullet, or in one magical manifested moment. Dang it. Wish I had a magic wand for that one! Average only becomes excellent with consistency. You know this, my friend, even if it's hard to hear. If we commit to saving a few dollars daily, those dollars will grow exponentially. If we work out and count calories routinely, we'll lose the 15 lbs we gained during COVID. We know we'll improve our golf game or piano playing if we practice ...

How to Reach Your Full Potential

October 27, 2022 05:00 - 7 minutes - 6.78 MB

I don’t know who originally said this, but hell is getting to the end of your life and meeting the person you could've become. Think about that for a moment. I think about how much I don’t want to get to the end of my days and wonder, did I do everything I could to become the person I wanted to be? Is it just me, or do you feel the same way? Have you been doing everything you can to become the person you want to be? Are you seeking your highest and greatest potential? Does the world...

The Lies We Tell Ourselves: It's Better if I Don't Say Anything

October 13, 2022 05:00 - 7 minutes - 7.17 MB

"It's better not to say anything." Man, oh man, does this lie keep us from some important conversations. Before we dive into why we tell ourselves (or others) this lie let's make sure it’s really a lie before we start huh? When you find yourself thinking, “It’s better not to say anything.” it’s a good idea to ask yourself, is this true? I love the question “Is it or is this true?” because it forces you to stop and think. When you’re weighing options on whether to speak up, it’s important ...

The Lies We Tell Our Selves: I Do All the Work and They Get All the Credit

September 29, 2022 05:00 - 6 minutes - 6 MB

The lie that gets uttered across workplaces across the world "I do all the work, and they get all the credit." It seems like a simple, clear-cut statement on the surface; someone else is getting credit for my work and I’m mad about it. But is it true? Are you really doing all the work and getting none of the credit? What are you really saying when you say “I do all the work and they get all the credit.” In some cases, it some cases, it’s true. Your work was stolen. Your idea was taken ...

Is it Ever OK to Ramble?

September 15, 2022 05:00 - 5 minutes - 5.37 MB

Today we are tackling the question…is it ever OK to ramble? OK, now I can't get the Rambling Man out of my head. Thanks, Allman Brothers. I mean, it's a different kind of rambling. But still. Have you ever talked and realized that you're going on and on without making a point? And then said something like, "Oh, sorry, I'm rambling?" You're not alone (ask my hubs; he's heard me do this so many times). It's pretty common for folks to ask me how to stop rambling. Getting to your poin...

How to Ask for What You Want

September 01, 2022 05:00 - 7 minutes - 7.2 MB

Asking is awkward. We stumble around our words or avoid asking because sometimes it seems easier to do without. There are times when I say to myself... "I don't really need help; I can handle this on my own." Then I work twice as hard while being mad about doing it all myself. Or when I want to have a conversation with someone I perceive as having more power than me, I don't ask because I think, "I'll be bothering them." I miss the opportunity to connect and learn. Or sometimes it's as si...

The Lies We Tell Ourselves - It's Easier if I Do it Myself

August 18, 2022 05:00 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MB

I thought it was time to do a little series, and I'm excited to talk with you about the lies we tell at work because we lie, ya know? Now there are all kinds of lies that we tell, but I think some of the most tragic lies we tell are the ones we tell ourselves. It's often these lies that keep us from communicating effectively with each other. They keep us from having conversations that would make our work (and lives) easier in the long run. The first line I'm tackling is; "It's easier if ...

Should I Use Notes?

August 04, 2022 05:00 - 8 minutes - 8.03 MB

Today we’re talking about whether you should use notes when you present. The struggle is real. If you’ve presented, you’ve probably wondered how is it OK to use notes? Am I going to look like a dork if I use notes? Will people think I don’t know what I’m talking about if I use notes? Or have you ever tried to use notes only to find yourself lost in the jumble of your own incoherent writing? Maybe you’ve watched someone else use notes and thought they did a terrible job. I hear you, and I’v...

How to be Direct

July 21, 2022 05:00 - 4 minutes - 4.07 MB

If you want to be direct, lead with what you need. (how's that for direct?) It sounds simple, yet it can be a struggle for many. It's difficult to lead with what we need because it feels risky. It seems easier or safer to explain ourselves first before we get to our point. See if you can relate to any of these examples: -asking for an increase in budget -pitching a complex project/idea -asking for a raise -requesting more time on a project Now, please don't read me wro...

One Reason You're Misunderstood

July 07, 2022 05:00 - 5 minutes - 5.44 MB

Today we’re talking about one reason you’re misunderstood. This one is going to smack you in the head like “duh”. One reason you’re misunderstood is because you’re using words that people don’t understand. Here’s a fun statistic: A new word is created every 98 minutes. That means there are approximately 15 new words created per day, 105 words per week, and 38,325 words per year! HOLY MOLY! Before you get overwhelmed thinking about all the new words created daily, take a deep...

How to Give Your Boss Feedback

June 23, 2022 05:00 - 7 minutes - 7.22 MB

Giving your boss feedback can be scary. Your boss makes decisions that impact your pay, job responsibilities, and promotions. Your boss is human, too. They're bound to make mistakes and operate in imperfection. You can become a critical part of your bosses' success by being one of the rare few willing to give open and honest feedback. And while it may be uncomfortable, it doesn't have to be complicated. Here's how: 1.) Ask if it's ok. Avoid the open-ended clique question, "Are you o...

How to Handle Humiliation at Work

June 09, 2022 05:00 - 8 minutes - 8.19 MB

How do you handle humiliation at work? A client emailed me asking about handling humiliation at work. He described how he's been working hard on his presence with his team. He's been personally and privately thanking those who have offered helpful feedback. However, despite his efforts, he was humiliated by a direct report in front of his department. He considered this person one of his biggest supporters, to make matters worse. He asked me, how do you handle humiliation at work? Oh,...

Avoid This to Sound Calm and in Control

May 26, 2022 05:00 - 5 minutes - 4.88 MB

When was the last time you heard a phrase like this? "The meeting was a complete train wreck." "Bob is a disaster in front of clients." "I'll never find the right candidate." Really? Did a train literally wreck your meeting? Did Bob turn into a tornado in front of your clients? Will you never find the right candidate for the job? I'm guessing you'll say no and something like... "I didn't mean it that way, Alex; it's just a figure of speech." You're right; I unders...

Make Your Communication Memorable and Actionable

May 12, 2022 05:00 - 3 minutes - 3.19 MB

Have you ever had an instance when you thought you communicated clearly but based on the results, you clearly didn't? Maybe you thought you prepared well for a meeting, only to find out afterward it was like you said nothing at all. Perhaps you got a ton of questions about what you covered, or you discovered no one did any of the work? You talked but made ZERO impact. It's frustrating!? There's a lot of communication in the workplace that leads to lost time, resources, and energy. A...

What Are Filler Words and Why Do We Use Them?

April 28, 2022 05:00 - 9 minutes - 9.03 MB

Today's topic comes from my client Kiley who is passionate about her speaking and presentation skills. Kiley coaches sales professionals and wanted to know what filler words are, why we use them, and what we can do about them. I love this question and have researched-backed answers to help you (and Kiley) out. What are they? Filler words are meaningless words, sounds, or phrases that mark a pause or hesitation in speech. Examples include: "uh, um, like, so, er, OK, right and ya know." ...

How to Say No to Your Boss

April 14, 2022 05:00 - 7 minutes - 6.91 MB

How do you say no when it "feels" like you're going to disappoint your boss? Here are three tips that will help; Prioritize your schedule and workload You can't do everything. Block off time for critical tasks and ensure clear deadlines on your calendar. This includes personal time. Numbers and dates don't lie. When you can look at your calendar and see that you don't have space, this allows you to say no with confidence. It also allows you to show your workload and responsibilities to...

What Do I Do with My Hands?

March 31, 2022 06:00 - 4 minutes - 4.21 MB

Sometimes, it's hard to know what to do with your handy dandy hands when you’re talking. Especially when you’re doing something that feels important, like presenting, interviewing, or networking with people you don't know. If you’re not sure what to do with your hand when you’re talking; try these suggestions: 1.) Relax It's as simple as it sounds. Let your hands relax at your side if you're standing, or rest in your lap if sitting. It will help you look calm even if you don't feel it on...

How to Add Humor to a Presentation

March 17, 2022 06:00 - 6 minutes - 5.71 MB

Here are three things to consider before you add humor to your presentation. 1.) Am I a funny person? Some folks feel or get pressure to "be funny." They think, "If I'm funny, my audience will like me more," which isn't necessarily true. If you're not comfortable being funny, your attempts at humor can come off as being awkward and uncomfortable, and your audience will feel that. If you're uncomfortable, your audience will be too. Stick with your natural style or practice humor in ...

How to Handle a Difficult Conversation

March 03, 2022 06:00 - 10 minutes - 9.28 MB

The more you ignore problems, the bigger they get. It’s not easier… Its avoidance. If this is you…you're not alone. "A 2017 survey of 1,344 full-time employees sponsored by Quantum Workplace and Fierce Conversations found that 53 percent of employees are handling “toxic” situations by ignoring them." There's a better way. Instead of avoiding, mentally rehearsing for weeks on end, or having sidebar conversations (aka vent sessions with your homies), try this instead; 1.) schedule t...

How to Stop Over Explaining

February 24, 2022 06:00 - 5 minutes - 5.13 MB

How to Avoid Over Explaining Here are a few things you can do that will help. 1.) Write down what you're going to say before you say it. 2.) Pause. Take a breath and ask yourself, "Does the person in front of me need to know this?" 3.) Follow cues if a person looks confused, bored, or overwhelmed; stop. Ask a question or allow them to speak. Sign up for my weekly newsletter here. Connect with me on LinkedIn Alex Perry Instagram @pswithalex

How to Avoid Email Hell

February 17, 2022 06:00 - 5 minutes - 4.85 MB

If you find yourself in email hell on a regular basis, you aren't alone. Email sucks away the life of many an employee. On average, you're receiving about eighty emails a day, sending close to forty and it's sucking away about 28% of your work time. (read more here). You already know that email doesn't improve your communication efficiency but did you know that research shows email is only 7 percent effective as talking. So do you keep using it when it doesn't make sense? Let ...

Three Words That Make You a Communication Rockstar

February 14, 2022 06:10 - 5 minutes - 5.05 MB

If you want to be a communication Rockstar you’ve got to start using this simple three-word phrase. "Tell me more." When you ask someone to tell you more, about themselves, their idea, their opinion-it opens the door for a much richer and more productive conversation. Tell me more…is one of the quickest ways to help you avoid assuming. It helps avoid misunderstandings because let’s face it, we don’t always understand people the first, second, or even third time they explain something to u...

How to Introduce Yourself without Sounding Like a Dork

February 14, 2022 06:00 - 6 minutes - 6 MB

Introducing yourself can be much easier and less painful if you follow these simple tips… Remind yourself that there’s no such thing as a perfect introduction. Second, keep your introduction simple. Keep in mind when introducing yourself is that it’s an opportunity to further a conversation. Sign up for my weekly newsletter here. Connect with me on LinkedIn Alex Perry Instagram @pswithalex

Welcome to Crash Courses in Communication with Alex Perry

February 07, 2022 22:14 - 1 minute - 1.49 MB

This podcast answers some of life’s most challenging and awkward communication questions everything from how to diffuse jerks, to asking for a raise, how to start a conversation at a networking event, and even what to do if your nose starts running in the middle of a presentation-you’ll learn how to handle these situations with ease. These episodes are based on real questions I get from my clients every day and are filled with practical tips you can start using immediately. I’ve kept thes...

Part Two: Gary Noesner Interview

July 02, 2020 11:30 - 35 minutes - 29 MB

You're going to love part two of my interview with Gary. If you missed part one, I suggest you go back and listen to that first, before you dive into this episode. Here, Gary answers questions about the Netflix series Waco, including how accurate the series is, what ultimately went wrong and what his relationship is with Dick Rogers and Jeff Jamar today. Gary also answers a few questions he's never been asked before...and you're going to love his answers. You'll find the references to ...

Part One: Interview with Gary Noesner

June 18, 2020 11:30 - 44 minutes - 35.5 MB

In this two-part series, I interview Gary Noesner. Gary Noesner retired from the FBI in 2003 following a 30-year career as an investigator, instructor, and negotiator. A signiﬁcant focus of his career was directed toward investigating Middle East hijackings in which American citizens were victimized. In addition, he was an FBI hostage negotiator for 23 years of his career, retiring as the Chief of the FBI's Crisis Negotiation Unit, Critical Incident Response Group, the ﬁrst person to hold th...

How do I know what's important to my audience?

May 28, 2020 11:30 - 23 minutes - 21.8 MB

Oh, I'm excited about answering this question in today's episode! Many thanks to my friend and #president of my fan club Brad Ton for putting this one out there. Brad's an account manager with One Cause, if you're not already connected with him on LinkedIn, do it now! Take and listen and tell me, "How do you know what's important to your audience. Shoot me a message or drop your answer in the comments below. Make sure to listen all the way through today's episode because I'm announcin...

How Do I Get Better at Storytelling?

May 21, 2020 11:30 - 21 minutes - 19.3 MB

This is a question I get asked All. Of. The Time. I hope that by now you're starting to figure out that my answer to this question will be simple, and not necessarily easy. In this episode, I'm tackling the question "Alex, how do I get better at storytelling?" If you dream of sharing stories in conversations, in presentations, or on a stage. This episode is for you! If you have public speaking or communication questions you'd like to hear answered on the Practically Speaking podcast, pl...

Crash Courses in Communication with Alex Perry

Episodes