Catherine Johns

You know how it is, looking for those silver linings? I have found a few, as I’ve been thinking about the Last Story Standing contest.

I’m on a quest for silver linings because (not to bury the lead) mine was not the last story standing in the contest sponsored by the National Speakers Association Illinois. And yes, that was disappointing.

Maybe you could relate to our exchange from a couple of weeks ago. I hate competition and I don’t like to be judged, remember? I heard from enough of you to know I’m not alone in that.

I went ahead and entered this competition anyway. It would be a great learning experience, I reasoned, a chance to challenge myself, and it might even be fun.

So, I competed. I was judged. And … now I’m trying to look on the bright side.

The Search for Silver Linings The Search for Silver Linings. You know how it is, looking for those silver linings? I have found a few, as I’ve been thinking about the Last Story Standing contest. I’m on a quest for silver linings because (not to bury the lead) mine was not the last story standing in the contest sponsored by ...

“I’m not a speaker,” you say? Yeah, yeah, yeah, people tell me that all the time.

And then they tell me about doing a eulogy. Or a wedding toast. Or making the case for that playground project at their PTA meeting.

Not to mention job interviews, sales conversations, and supporting your opinion when your team gets together at work.

I heard from a lot of you the other day about all the kinds of speaking you do, even though you don’t think of yourself as “a speaker.”

In any of those situations and more, it’ll be to your advantage if you can command the room.

Here are a few ways to exhibit that command.

Can You Command a Room? Can you command a room? “I’m not a speaker,” you say? Yeah, yeah, yeah, people tell me that all the time. And then they tell me about doing a eulogy. Or a wedding toast. Or making the case for that playground project at their PTA meeting. Not to mention job interviews, sales conversations, and...

You’ve been there, haven’t you? Standing awkwardly at a networking event, maybe with a drink in your hand, striking up a conversation, and feeling a little bit like a cardboard cutout.

We know networking is necessary to grow our business or advance our career. But how do you do that without feeling fake and forgettable? So often, we go into a conversation armed with a pitch and a winning smile … and we wind up blending into the background.

Some expert along the way told us to work the room, sell ourselves, and above all, be sure to project confidence.

Here’s the issue. That can mean performing instead of connecting.

What if you went for Presence instead of a pitch?

Ditch the Pitch—Be Real Instead Ditch the pitch. You’ve been there, haven’t you? Standing awkwardly at a networking event, maybe with a drink in your hand, striking up a conversation, and feeling a little bit like a cardboard cutout. We know networking is necessary to grow our business or advance our career. But how do you do ...

Yes, you’re reading words I actually wrote myself, sitting in my office, typing them out on my laptop.

We’re seeing a lot of blogs, social media posts, and marketing emails that a real person didn’t write. More and more of us are using ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Anthropic to do our writing for us.

That’s why the phrase “AI slop” comes up in so many critiques of those blogs, social media posts, and marketing emails!

And that description is often warranted, don’t you think?

Me? I’ve prided myself on doing my own writing, posting, and emailing. And I like to think I’m at least decent at it. I’ve been dubious about using one of those AI tools and resistant to learning more about them.

The advocates are changing my mind though ...

Is it Real or is it AI? Is it Real or is it AI? Yes, you’re reading words I actually wrote myself, sitting in my office, typing them out on my laptop. We’re seeing a lot of blogs, social media posts, and marketing emails that a real person didn’t write. More and more of us are using ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Anthropic ...

Ever feel like you're trying to fit into a mold that just doesn't suit you?​

When it comes to communication, authenticity isn't just refreshing—it's more and more essential.​ Nobody wants to listen to someone who feels phony!

The Fascinate system identifies seven distinct communication styles, each with its own advantages.

For instance, if you have the Passion Advantage, you naturally connect with others through emotion and enthusiasm.​ (Sometimes a LOT of enthusiasm!)

Instead of dialing that down, what if you leaned into it?​ Made the most of it?

As a Fascinate Certified Advisor, I've seen how embracing your innate style can transform your presence and increase your impact.​

Curious about your communication advantage? Let's explore how you can maximize it every time you speak at a meeting, on a Zoom call, or even in a casual conversation.

Tag me, and we'll talk.

How to Fascinate with Sally Hogshead

Join me Saturday at Harper College ...

Many thanks to Facebook friends who answered by question about profanity and professionalism. Y'all were a huge help!

Profanity and Professionalism Profanity and Professionalism - We’ve pretty well gotten used to salty language in public life, haven’t we? Profanity has proliferated to the point that it’s not really shocking anymore. On the campaign trail, Donald Trump says his wife and some evangelical supporters have asked him to tone do...

You may have noticed the difference in what they call candidates in news stories, advertising, and comments on X.

In his newsletter, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar pointed to an ad for the Republican presidential candidate.

“Note that the Trump ad uses his last name but for Harris, they use her first name. This is typical sexism in trying to diminish the authority of a woman by using her first name.”

Wait, is it? And how does our BUSINESS name fit into this?

Here's my take ...

What's in a Name? What's in a Name? You may have noticed the difference in what they call candidates in news stories, advertising, and comments on X. In his newsletter, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar pointed to an ad for the Republican presidential candidate. “Note that the Trump ad uses his last name but for Harris, they use...

You know how it goes. You meet people at every conference, association meeting, or even your block party who have a lot to say about themselves and their business and their background.

Yes, when we meet someone new, we’re interested in learning about them and about their work and their life.

But then they start spewing chapter and verse of what they do and how they do it, and we can hardly wait to nod politely, say “Nice to meet you,” and move on to talk with someone else.

This is why I talk with my clients about feeding a chipmunk. I thought about them this past weekend, spending time with good friends in Michigan.

When I was a kid, we vacationed (with one of those same good friends!) way up north in the U.P. And a favorite vacation activity was feeding the adorable little chipmunks that scampered around the resort.

Anyway, how do you feed a chipmunk? And what does that have to do with your clients?

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They say less is more.

They’re right, of course, when it comes to most of our business communication…and a lot of our personal conversations as well.

A friend is editing a piece of her marketing material; she mentioned she thought there’s room to pare it down. “You know,” she said, “Less is more.”

Absolutely! Also, as I told her, more is less.

Sometimes much less. It happens often that the more we say, the less engaged our listeners are and the less they take in, much less buy into, what we’re saying.

You know this from your own experience, right?

Maybe we’re presenting our big idea in a team meeting or a sales call, or introducing ourselves at a networking event, or even writing an email. We almost always have the greatest impact when we’re concise, when we say just what needs to be said and no more.

There’s a point when our point has been made. And if we keep talking past that point, we begin to undermine our message, dull the impact, and lose our listeners’ attention.

Can we get that precious attention back?

Maybe. We might say something provocative or even outlandish. We might change our delivery style, speaking more loudly or softly, speaking faster or slower, moving around, or gesturing more forcefully.

That kind of variety can be helpful in keeping an audience with us, in any event. And if a listener has drifted, it gives us a chance to bring them back to our message.

It’s easier though—for us and them—if we don’t send their minds wandering in the first place.

How about your mind?

Still with me? That makes this a good time to invite your response and then say no more.

DJ's, wedding planners, photo booth operators ... you need to be at this conference. Lots of great sessions on marketing, growing your business, and managing your money. And yes, I'll be there for a program on how you can make networking work for you.