Part 2 — 1:1 communication

  • Part 2 — 1:1 communication

    Posted by Joshua Alcorn on March 13, 2024 at 8:31 am

    Ready for the second part of this weekly challenge? Here we go!

    Today we’ll work on getting some practice using asset based language in your daily conversations. I call this ‘Strength Spotter Talk.’

    Here’s what you’ll do:

    For the next couple of days start each meeting you have with a donor, board member, or coworker by spotlighting 1-2 strengths, skills, or resources they contribute. (Heck, this works great for conversations you have with your partner, kid, parent, a friend.)

    Why do this:

    When you start conversations by naming strengths, you’ll be getting actual practice in asset-based communication. You’ll be conditioning your brain to focus on resources versus deficiencies — and you’ll be building rapport and connection with the person you’re talking to (who doesn’t love a good compliment?). As @frank-velasquez-jr would say, recognizing talents and accomplishments frames interactions with abundance and empowerment. You unlock potential when you use uplifting language.

    And the more comfortable you are doing this in your daily life — well the more likely it will appear in your donor communications.

    Drop a comment below after each conversation. How did it feel to spotlight the strengths of the person you were talking to? How do you think it made them feel? Did the conversation go differently than you anticipated?

    Not sure where to start? Here are a couple of examples of conversations you might have this week and how to use ‘Strength Spotter Talk.’

    Example 1: Kicking off a board meeting by expressing appreciation for the governance expertise and diverse community connections members bring which have strengthened organizational strategy and programs. You should really try this 😁

    Example 2: Starting a call with a partner nonprofit by recognizing their innovative approaches and commitment to community service that allows for greater impact in the work you do together.

    Example 3: Opening a meeting with a corporate sponsor by acknowledging their employee volunteer program’s commitment of hundreds of hours which has allowed you to deliver more services (or host more events, etc.).

    Example 4: Beginning a check-in call with major donor by naming that their generous multi-year pledge has provided stability and confidence to explore growth opportunities to reach more people.

    Joshua Alcorn replied 7 months, 3 weeks ago 1 Member · 1 Reply
  • 1 Reply
  • Joshua Alcorn

    Organizer
    March 13, 2024 at 8:32 am

    Sorry for the delay in getting this posted friends!

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