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The Key to Successful Communication
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M.J. Campbell Associates

Mark Campbell

Five Gifts of Insightful Leaders
Five Gifts of Insightful Leaders

The Healthcare Leader's Guide for Succeeding in a New Position
The Healthcare Leader's Guide for Succeeding in a New Position


Mark J. Campbell partners with organizations for leadership development. He helps senior teams increase their effectiveness and productivity by drawing on over twenty-five years experience in executive coaching, team building, communications consulting and conflict management.

In addition to his consulting practice, Mark teaches two courses in communications at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Click here to see a listing of Speeches Delivered by Mark Campbell

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January 2010

This month's newsletter offers advice, in the feature article, on how to be perceived as more approachable and how that will increase your success as a communicator. The Questions for the Coach column presents techniques for reducing anxiety prior to delivering a presentation. I hope that you find these articles helpful and practical.

Mark Campbell

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Approachability - The Key to Successful Communication as a Leader

Many years ago, I found myself teaching a management course at a local college. Up to that point, any feedback I had received on performance reviews or from students contained phrases like “very professional,” “highly organized” and “serious about his work.” This time something very different happened. As I read the student evaluations I came across the following statement, “A very easy person to approach.” The comment meant a lot to me. As much as the previous statements on my evaluations were positive, they said nothing of how people experienced me as a person. I knew that my influence had reached a new level and it had nothing to do with being a subject matter expert.

In the ensuing years I observed that leaders who are outstanding communicators are perceived as being highly approachable. These individuals find opportunities to speak with employees face-to-face in the corridors, labs, factory floor and the cafeteria. They continuously answer the unspoken questions of every employee, “Does what I do here matter and am I valued?”

I recently interviewed two highly successful leaders regarding how they stay approachable in spite of demanding responsibilities.

Alex Norbash, MD is Professor and Chairman of Radiology at Boston Medical Center. The following are his views on the importance of approachability. “In my opinion it is critically important to be consistently available, energized and cheerful. I believe that success consists of balancing your connections within your working unit with your connections outside the unit which connect you to your customers and environment. The proper balance and blend of availability allows you to elevate the performance of your coworkers, simultaneously with creating the most pleasant joyful environment. When achieved, this is truly success that feeds all members of an organization.” Whenever I am with Alex, I am amazed at how he practices this philosophy. There is a palpable change of energy as he moves from one location to another throughout his work day.

Sean Lilienfeld, MD is Vice President, Clinical Research and Medical Affairs at Codman & Shurtleff and DePuy Mitek (Johnson & Johnson Companies). He described a unique approach recently used in an effort to maintain his approachability. “One of the things I have found most effective, and from which the team has derived enormous pleasure, is to spend some time at group meetings reviewing slides from my trips to Africa. I usually include a few of the kids and mix the visual splendor with a few facts. After the slide show we do a little quiz on what I’ve taught them (in teams) and the winning team gets a prize. This exposure of my personal background, geographic background and personal passion (wildlife) makes me very approachable … or so I have been told.” Sean has learned that it can be very helpful for his team to know him as a father, husband, traveler as well as a leader.

Both Alex and Sean are at the top of their professions. I’m convinced that a significant part of their success can be attributed to being approachable. So how can you get out and about more and reap the same benefit as Alex and Sean?

  • Be curious about people

    One of my coaching clients recently stated, “I’ve been here 18 months and my boss doesn’t even know how many children I have.” Be attentive to people when they talk about their private lives and non-work interests.

  • Don’t attempt to be omniscient

    Approachable leaders don’t pontificate. They ask questions and understand that “None of us is a smart as all of us.” They don’t have to have the final word in every discussion.

  • Show how work connects to higher level goals

    When you ask employees about their work, take the time to show them how it contributes to the success of the organization.

Leaders often underestimate the power they have to influence the people in their organizations. Employees, at all levels, have a hunger for leaders who are approachable and candid in their communications. You can help employees feel more connected and valued. All it takes is to leave your office and find ways to interact on a personal level. This responsibility can’t be delegated. It’s powerful and can help make your organization truly exceptional.

Related Article:
"Do People Find You Approachable?" - Newsletter Archive

Recommended Publication:
Five Gifts of Insightful Leaders

Copyright 2010, Mark J. Campbell. All rights reserved.
Permission to reprint this article is granted, provided you let me know where it is being printed, the copyright is not removed, and the following text accompanies each article:

"Mark Campbell specializes in executive coaching. For a complimentary subscription to his newsletter, The Insightful Leader," please go to www.mjcampbellassoc.com."

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Question for the Coach

In this section we answer questions regarding leadership, coaching and careers. Please send your questions to mark@mjcampbellassoc.com. We will be happy to answer you directly by e-mail. In all cases, the person submitting the question will be contacted before it is used in "The Insightful Leader."

Secrets to Overcoming Presentation Anxiety

Question

I'm a senior scientist for a medical device company in Minnesota. Lately I have been getting very anxious before delivering presentations. Once I begin the presentation, the anxiety subsides and I usually become quite comfortable. Do you have any advice for calming pre-presentation jitters?

The Coach Answers…

After many years of teaching and coaching clients on presentation skills, I have come to accept a certain amount of pre-presentation anxiety as part of the human condition. In fact, I would start to worry if these jitters went away completely. Many experts would agree that this anxiety is connected to the energy necessary for high level presentations. To directly answer your question, I recommend the following three exercises for remaining calm before presentations.

  1. Practice diaphragmatic breathing

    This meditative form of "belly breathing" has been very helpful for many individuals. With both feet on the floor and your hands on your thighs, slowly breathe in through the nose and out through your mouth. The secret here is to let your stomach extend as you breathe in. Our normal tendency is to draw the stomach in when breathing. This should be a quiet process that will go unnoticed by the people around you. It is especially useful if you have a long period of time to wait before speaking.

  2. Visualize your "highlights film"

    In addition to the above, you can visualize times when one of your presentations was especially successful. Review the presentation in as much detail as possible. Picture the room and the attendees. How did you feel? How did the audience respond? This practice will reinforce a picture of yourself as a highly accomplished speaker.

  3. Concentrate on the value you will deliver to your audience

    Focus on the audience as much as possible and not on yourself. Think of the benefits the audience will receive from your presentation. Visualize audience members expressing their appreciation for the information you have given them.

Any one of these techniques can be very helpful or you may choose to use all three. Give them a try and let me know how things work out.

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Copyright January 2010, Mark J. Campbell. All rights reserved. Permission to reprint the Are You Memorable? and/or You Don't Have To Go It Alone articles is granted, provided you let me know where it is being printed, the copyright is not removed, and the following text accompanies each article:

Mark Campbell specializes in leadership development. For a complimentary subscription to his newsletter, "The Insightful Leader," go to www.mjcampbellassoc.com.

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