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In episode 123 of “The JoyPowered® Workspace Podcast,” JoDee and Susan discuss writing and speaking skills with trainer Linda Comerford.

Is writing well, speaking smart, and using good grammar a lost art? With spelling and grammar checks available to us and texting and social media creating poor grammar habits, it seems like the old rules aren’t often being followed.

Frequent guest Linda Comerford returns to weigh in on this topic. Universities don’t often teach business communication anymore, but we’re actually writing more in the business world now, especially since the COVID pandemic eliminated running into people in the office. Much like Zoom fatigue, people are starting to experience writing and email fatigue.

Whether you realize it or not, you have a writing image and a speaking image. What do people think when they see your name in their email inbox? Linda shares some tips on improving your communication skills. When you’re writing, keep it short; the average reader’s short term memory can only hold onto about 16 words per sentence. When you’re editing, reread what you’ve written while putting yourself in your audience’s mindset. How will they respond? Finally, for speaking, do “lip aerobics” – slow down, open your mouth, and enunciate.

In this episode’s listener question, JoDee and Susan share advice for a friend who’s taking on a manager role for the first time and stepping into her first meeting with a group that’s angry about some upcoming issues. In the news, the COVID-19 pandemic drove more employers to offer voluntary benefits. The co-hosts discuss some of the fastest growing benefits.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Purple Ink
• Susan Tinder White Consulting
• The JoyPowered® Organization
• Episode 72, “SHRM Credit: Enhancing Your Business Communications”
• Episode 99, “EQ – Emotional Intelligence”
• Comerford Consulting
• Email Linda
• Thriving in a Global Pandemic and Beyond
• “Pandemic Highlighted Value of Voluntary Benefits”

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