I was recently introduced to the wonderful Connie Taylor: business guru of the universe – well her universe. She shares her ‘expertise’ in the world of business with interviews, Q and A written interviews and videos. You can catch up with her unique take on business in The Guardian here.
Of course she is a fictional character – brilliantly played by Jessica Hynes – who has an ego the size of Jupiter; no self awareness and a vocabulary of jargon. We have all had to endure trainers and motivational speakers like Connie, as well as colleagues who are all jargon, no substance, and at times insufferable! Watch Connie in action here.
Of course there are many excellent speakers and trainers – before I’m ostracised by my colleagues!! BUT there are a few trainers and speakers: self appointed “Gurus”, who can’t fail to amuse others, and this is what Connie Taylor is all about!
Of course I do not condone Connie’s style of communication – or lack of it. Within the whole Superstar Communicator philosophy she breaks every ‘rule’. For example she has no empathy with her audience; she uses jargon that she not only doesn’t understand, but doesn’t make sense and well, she’s just a joke! I could go on. But she is great fun to watch in the true David Brent tradition.
So why am I mentioning Connie to you?? Well, I believe she behaves in this way because she believes this is the way business experts do: speaking with buzz phrases and positive, upbeat pseudo jargon. I also believe we all take on particular characters in different situations, and she splendidly takes on this role.
What can we learn from this??? Authenticity is so important when we communicate with others. Of course we have to play a ‘role’ – and in the same way I have different roles in my life: mother, daughter, wife, business owner, friend, there is a core of my own self and values that runs through all of my relationships and roles.
Instead of adopting what you feel is the correct ‘role’ based on a stereotype, like Connie, see how you can adapt your true self to the environment and relationship you have so you too can be authentic.
For more details of The Superstar Communicator training, including links to a free webinar series go here.
Letter to Gail Emms