E330 | Mastering Efficient Meetings with Chris Fenning
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In this conversation, Chris Fenning – communications expert, coach and author – deep dives into transforming workplace communication. Tired of inefficient meetings? Chris suggests empowering all participants to take charge, seeking clarity on agendas, and addressing distractions head-on to boost engagement.
Chris offers his unique perspective on communication, including his methods for delivering impactful updates and simplifying complex topics. From his advice on honing email effectiveness to his insights on intertwining leadership skills with everyday exchanges, Chris offers valuable tools for ensuring your message is heard loud and clear.
Listen and get practical tips on breaking down the barriers to effective communication in the workplace and how to leverage AI’s potential. Chris shares book recommendations and a fresh outlook that will leave you inspired. This episode promises actionable strategies to revolutionise how you connect and convey your ideas. So, let’s jump in and learn how to mind your f**king business more efficiently!
Takeaways
- Clarity is key for clear communication.
- Shared responsibility for effective and efficient meetings.
- How to handle distractions and bring conversations back politely.
- Positive problem solving to demonstrate competence.
- Top tips for effective email communication.
- Goal, Problem, Solution Communication Model.
- Public Speaking vs. Communication Fundamentals.
About Chris Fenning
Chris Fenning helps us master our communication at work. He helps experts talk to non-experts, teams talk to executives, and much more. Chris’s practical methods are used in organisations like Google and NATO, and have appeared in the Harvard Business Review. He is also the author of multiple award-winning books on communication and training that have been translated into 16 languages.
Find out how Chris can help you at www.chrisfenning.com.
Follow Chris Fenning
Books by Chris Fenning
39 Ways to Make Training Stick
The First Minute Interview Answer Workbook
Book Recommendations
Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
The Workshop Survival Guide by Rob Fitzpatrick
The Culture Map by Erin Mayer
The Thought Leaders Practice by Matt Church
Quick Fire Questions
Q: What drives you every day?
Chris Fenning: A bright orange campervan.
Q: What’s your genius?
Chris Fenning: Simplifying things, taking a complex thing, making it simple.
Q: What unpopular opinion do you hold?
Chris Fenning: That people shouldn’t learn public speaking until they’ve learned some of the fundamentals.
Q: What’s the most significant risk you’ve taken?
Chris Fenning: Leaving employment and going alone in my own business.
Q: How do you measure success? Not in business, but in life?
Chris Fenning: Being able to get to the end of the day and not feel stressed about what’s happened or what’s about to happen next. If I can find that balance between work, family and not be carrying a big weight, that is a huge win for me.
Q: What’s the most recent thing you’ve learned?
Chris Fenning: I’ve learned how to use a chainsaw. I still got all my fingers on my toes and the voice of my father in my head going, “Don’t ever use a chainsaw, they’re dangerous!”
Q: What’s the biggest myth in business, do you reckon?
Chris Fenning: Reading things from other people who’ve failed, learned and recovered from it and then they’re passing on that info. I’m inspired by their willingness to express their failures and what they learned and I’m inspired by learning the new stuff along with them.
Q: What’s the biggest myth in business you’ve ever received?
Chris Fenning: Almost everything connected with growing a small business. When I am my business, when my name is on the door, I can’t automate and remove myself from the business because I am it. And this will probably lead to a book recommendation.
A lot of small business advice isn’t great for expert-based businesses. But there is a book called The Thought Leaders Practice by Matt Church, which is the infopreneur expert-based practitioner where you and your expertise are the business.
It’s the blueprint for how to do that without being pushed down. All small businesses automate everything, so get yourself out of the organisation’s advice. So really, really good advice I got through Matt Church.
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