Featured

How to survive awkward party talk

Awkward Party Conversations

You’ll most likely be at a holiday party in the next few weeks. And chances are you’ll find yourself in a conversation that has your internal voice screaming “AWKWARD”.

Add these four tips to your survival strategy and you’ll breeze through the awkward party moments. Who knows, you may have a good time.

Change your internal story. Instead of telling yourself “this is awkward,” realize it’s awkward for everyone. If you can tap into your natural curiosity, you can do more than survive: you’ll be interested. Getting out of your own head is the first step to good conversation.
Use this magic phrase: ”Tell me about yourself!” Everyone likes talking about themselves; after all, it’s the thing they know the most about. This advice comes to us from NPR reporter Terry Gross. who says “it’s the only ice breaker you’ll ever need.”
Remember the magic ratio: You have two ears and one mouth. Listen twice as much as you talk! Keep it a dialogue; when talking, pause and ask a question! Keep it a two way street!
Stay in the present moment. If you find yourself drifting, notice the things that are right in front of you. And, if you’re bored, change your physical location; it’s as easy as saying, “excuse me” and moving somewhere else.

Do let us know how these tips worked for you! After all, Fratelli Bologna is all about engaging communications.

Would you like professional coaching? Contact us for a free 30 minute phone call to talk about what you need. Coaching.

Get in front of your career by getting in front of the room

Want to be more comfortable speaking?

What would it mean to your career to be more confident and comfortable sharing your thoughts and ideas?

Have you ever been asked to speak at a meeting and felt anxiety, even dread? Getting in front of the room gets better with tools and practice–you may even start to enjoy it.

Join us to enhance your career by learning to express yourself in ways that connect and engage with others. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or a seasoned veteran you will gain tools to increase your confidence and develop your presentation skills.

See you here. Bring a friend, too. They’ll thank you for it–maybe from the front of the room.

“All the Great Speakers were Bad Speakers at First” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Preparation

None. You have all the experience you need to have fun at this free 2 hour workshop.

Where – When – How

For more information and directions click on the logo below:

Saturday, March 3rd 11 a.m–1:00 p.m.

Learning Studio, The Bridge at Main Main Library, 5th Floor

All programs at the Library are free.

Supported by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.

Main Library 100 Larkin St. (at Grove) (415) 557-4277 sfpl.org

Presented by the Bridge at Main of San Francisco Public Library and Fratelli Bologna.

William Hall is an actor, improviser and trainer. He co-founded BATS Improv and continues to teach and perform there regularly. He travels the world teaching business people how to stand in front of others and be authentic, persuasive and relaxed.

Fratelli Bologna has partnered with the San Francisco Public Library to offer ongoing workshops on improvisation, collaboration for innovation and storytelling for everyone.

Fratelli Bologna is a consultancy working with organizations and businesses to empower people and collaboration. We create and deliver Trade Show presentations, design and deliver customized training and provide individual coaching for executives who want a bigger role within their industry.

What do you get for free? Your body language is talking!

What does this body language say to you? Which one is not happy to be there?

“What do you get for free?”

This was the question that Bill Irwin, actor, clown and MacArthur ‘Genius award’ winner asked a small group of student clowns at San Francisco’s world-renowned Circus Center. They looked puzzled. He went on to explain that performers are always trying to be someone else, a character, a different version of who they are. But what do you get when you walk into the room …and don’t ‘try’ to do anything.

What impression do you make without even trying? Do you even know? You may know what impression you would like to make, but is it being made?

Craft your body language as much as you craft your spoken language.

I heard Jim Lehrer make this observation about presidential candidates running for election.

“Candidates who don’t pay attention to what they look like or their body language as well as their spoken language – are making a terrible mistake.”
-Jim Lehrer. Via The Daily show with John Stewart. (Jim was promoting his book, Tension City)

These two ideas are connected by one question: Are you aware of …or in control of….the impression you make when you show up?

It’s all about self-awareness, knowing how others see you, the impression you make in the world when you are relaxed. This may be very different from how you feel or what you think your impression may be.

Body language is as important (or more so) than spoken language. This is about the impression your body makes before you speak and it’s the message your body sends in relationship to your spoken language.

In my work with leaders and professional entertainers I help them communicate more effectively. I work to help them understand what they’re tying to say and how they are being perceived.

You can’t begin to communicate with other people effectively until you understand who you are. If you are uncomfortable with yourself, others can sense it. If you are uncomfortable being looked at, an audience can sense that as well. Finding a way to understand who you are (without effort) is critical to successful communication.
Humans are primarily visual….it’s an evolutionary development. When you communicate with others, craft not only the verbal message but also the visual one.