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Leaders and managers learn skills for communicating effectively, such as:

• Tell people what you want not what you don’t want.
  Avoid: You’re not giving your people any direction.
  Replace With: I want you to provide your people with a plan for….
• Eliminate wiggle room and hedging.
  Avoid: I think it’s a good idea but I’m not convinced.
  Replace With: I have concerns. Let’s talk before we act.
• A qualified “yes” is always a “no”.
  Avoid: Try, perhaps, maybe
  Replace With: Yes, you can count on me to….Or No, I cannot commit at this time.

The goal for leaders is not perfection. This sends the wrong message. People need to know that leaders are human and that they make mistakes also. The real challenge is learning how to recover quickly from mistakes and breakdowns.

Language creates reality. What comes out of your mouth is amplified a hundred times when you are a leader. You can’t erase and record over. The good news is that now leaders can learn the essential communication skills and principles for saying it right the first time and recovering quickly when you don’t.

Length: Recommended keynote length for maximum impact is 60 to 90 minutes. Shorter keynotes (less than an hour in length) are available and focus on delivering high impact message. Workshops ranging from a day to two days teach leaders and managers specific skills and actions for saying it right the first time and recovering quickly when they don’t.

Interactive Format: Both keynotes and workshops are highly interactive to engage people and enhance learning and long-term retention of skills.

Learning Reinforcement: We recommend that each participant receive a copy of Loretta Malandro’s new book, Say It Right the First Time (McGraw-Hill 2003). Custom orders with a personalized message from the executive printed in the front of the book are available.