Juliet Erickson

USC Women’s Conference

juliet — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 16:18:35 +0000

I have just had the pleasure of speaking at the annual USC Women’s Conference. Kudos to the organizers – nearly a thousand people turned up and experienced a seamless, professional, thoughtful and exciting day. It is difficult to determine what recipe makes certain conferences magic and others ordinary. One thing for sure, USC got the blend right, worked very hard and knocked it out of the park. A extraordinary mix of small touches on a grand scale. If you are in Los Angeles Q1 of next year, it is worth getting your ticket.

What’s in demand for 2012?

juliet — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:32:27 +0000

We ‘live in interesting times’. There is some doubt of the origin of this so-called Chinese curse, but there is no doubt that we do indeed, live in interesting times. Many of my clients this year have faced life-changing circumstances, made difficult decisions and suffered from big economic and social surprises. Not all of it tough – most of it necessary.

The good news: It is the end of the beginning. In my view, 2012 will be an excellent year for those who realize they can no longer ‘kick the can down the road’. Delaying making hard choices in the hopes that something will turn-up and rescue the situation changes won’t work. People who commit to the right kind of change (personally and professionally) and then deliver on it – they will be the new rock-stars.

This is a quote from Alexandra Franzen’s website. I think it captures the spirit of the times:

It may be when we no
longer know what to do,
we have come to our real work,
and that when we no longer
know which way to go,
we have begun our real journey.

~ Wendell Berry

Learn how to confront others with less stress and more confidence!

juliet — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:26:55 +0000

Join me for an informative look at how confrontation is a friend in disguise!

One thing that has troubled me greatly over the years is seeing wonderful people trapped in situations they are not happy with, because the prospect of confrontation seems more painful than the situations themselves.

There are too many intelligent, talented people whose fear of what ‘someone might say’ or the possibility of a reaction they can’t handle has kept them from doing something they would really like to do.

Are you one of those who think you know how the confrontation situation will end up: you play it through in your mind and imagine every problem and even the other person’s response?

Any of these sound familiar?

‘I don’t like confrontation because usually it has not gone well in the past’
‘I’m concerned that if I confront the problem I might just escalate it’
‘I might be rejected or destroy the friendship’
‘I might get surprises I’m not ready for’
‘They might fight back’
‘Maybe I don’t want to know the truth’
‘They might get emotional’
‘I might hurt their feelings’

Be comforted with the knowledge that, if handled sensitively, confrontation can be both a positive and a rewarding experience!

Stop worrying and use some of the techniques I’ll talk about in the course. You will be in a better position to orchestrate the ending!

Watch the recording and find out:

The Four main confrontation Styles – Understand your own style and the style of the person you are dealing with and techniques for confronting then with greater ease.
Approaches for confronting: people you care about, and people you need.
Learn how to start saying NO comfortably and confidently.

Come to the session with something in mind that you would like to confront and walk away with tips and techniques you can try immediately.

Confrontation, in all its forms is part of the rhythm of everyday life. Learn to recognize it for what it is and respond appropriately. It is a friend in disguise!

Free instant download:

Read Down With Grabs

juliet — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 23:59:57 +0000

A technique to improve how you read speeches word-for-word

Seven Ways to Deal With Mean People

juliet — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 19:35:26 +0000

The way you respond to someone who is mean to you is an important part of how well or badly things work out. I’d say most situations where you are confronted there is opportunity to seek to understand – for an upside, or to learn something about yourself or someone else. However, there are those times when the other person is just plain mischievous, mean or unfair. Here are some ways you can respond that may help you deal with it.

Sondheim teaches Send In The Clowns

juliet — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 17:58:26 +0000

Something worth sharing, thanks to my friend Martha at http://ateliercomm.net/. Being exact in our expression is all.

Don’t Blow It! 7 Things To Avoid In Chance Meetings

juliet — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 00:17:57 +0000

Meeting people by chance is something that happens all the time. We bump into someone at the supermarket, playground, on an airplane, on the bus, and we get chatting. Mostly we walk away having had a pleasant encounter and forget all about it. However, chance meetings can contain valuable opportunities dished up to us daily if we’re willing to spot them and seize them.

Get What You Ask For: Three Tips To Improve Your Chances

juliet — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:33:07 +0000

The need to get better at asking for what you want often appears when you are facing an extreme situation of some kind. Perhaps you are running the risk of losing a key client or relationship; or you need to keep on top form while your business is on a winning streak. It may be a work situation where you may be on the brink of promotion or perhaps have failed to secure the job you want. It can also be a personal situation that has you at the end of your tether.

There are three tips you can learn and start applying right now that will have the biggest impact on your success at asking for and getting what you want. They simply involve getting your head around how you ask.

Business Conversation: How Good Are You?

juliet — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 17:48:43 +0000

Here’s a good way to check and see if you are good at the basics of business conversation. In my experience, the people who are best at it tend to:

Speak often and briefly (usually 15-30 seconds)

Ask more types of questions than others (not too many open questions that end up going nowhere fast and not too many closed questions that feel like an interrogation)

Make fewer solution statements early in a conversation/discussion

Headline their points in a sentence or two (this makes it easier to go away and repeat them to others)

Summarize often (aids in checking for understanding)

Invites others to share their views (and means it)

Unless passing on decisions, interjects views after others have had a chance to speak

Actively omit too much ‘you know’ and ‘uh’, not speak too rapidly or forcefully

Simplify and emphasize

Even the Saints among us don’t converse this well all the time. Try on one or two of these techniques for size in your next conversation and the rest will follow more easily.

How to be Interviewed

juliet — Tue, 31 May 2011 14:08:00 +0000

I take a lot of inspiration from Seth Godin. He’s one of those guys I look forward to seeing every morning when I log in. In case you haven’t met him yet, find him here www.sethgodin.com

This is one of his posts today – particularly relevant because in our world of subject matter experts we forget we have little expertise unless it means something to someone else. Take the focus off your smarts and put it on to your listener. A very powerful combination.

Go Seth!