Christmas
Have you ever noticed how people can be more stressed around Christmas?
It's as if the darkness in the sky the pressure to have the right gifts can take over.
This Christmas, instead of the darkness, may you know:
Peace in the midst of the busyness,
Joy at the simple things you already have,
The Light of the World shining into the darkest places in your life, accepting you as you are.
Are you really listening?
As a nursing student we were given the opportunity to practice interviews, and I although I was generally quiet, I knew I could hold my own in an interview.
So while the tutor watched, I worked easily through my fellow student's questions, giving plenty of information to help them know how good I was.
At the end, there was a brief moment of silence, and then the tutor said:
"Wow- you definitely come from the Margaret Thatcher style of interviewing don't you?" (those of you below a certain age, just look her up on the internet).
I was embarrassed.
I had taken over the interview, and yes, I had appeared confident, but had not connected or gained any type of rapport with the interviewers.
So how much do you talk?
And how much do you listen- really listen, to what is said, what is communicated non-verbally and what is being communicated behind the words?
How much do you allow space for the other party to process and move the conversation forward, or overcome anxiety?
One tip is to look around the room at how many people are in the conversation. If there are 2 of you, you should speak a maximum of 1/2 of the time, if there are 10 people, it should be about 1/10 of the time.
If you want to find out more about coaching or training in effective communication and listening, contact me: vicki@multiplycoaching.com or book in a free 30 minute zoom: https://calendly.com/multiplycoaching/newclient
Beer & Carols
Christmas is right on our doorstep and what better way to usher in the holiday season than a few beers or mulled wines, mince pies and a good old sing song in a local brewery?
Last night we went along to the excellent annual 'Beer & Carols' event, hosted by Twisted Barrel Brewery, Coventry Vineyard and City Church Coventry. As usual, it was a great success, with a great atmosphere and everybody singing along.
This year's theme was "Joy to the world", raising money for UHCW Neonatal Unit and 'Justice & Joy', helping feed families in Afghanistan.
