Post-Conference Guide

I’m glad you joined me for the closing session a the MREA Finance Manager's Spring Conference.
This page is your go-to hub for the tools, takeaways, resources, links, and insights we discussed.

Find What You're Looking For:

• AI Generated Summary of the Session (brought to you by Otter.ai)
• Presentation Slides (PDF)
• Podcast Episodes Related to the Session
• Head On: How to Approach Difficult Conversations Directly (free download of the first few chapters)
• Contact Dr. Janel Anderson 

AI Generated Summary of the Session

Below are the AI generated notes from the session generated by Otter.ai with light editing by Dr. Janel Anderson. 

The session focused on the relationship between the CFO and the CEO and emphasized that communication is the currency of the relationship between these two important roles in a Co-op.  The presentation focused on effective communication techniques that help strengthen the relationship, and included five specific communication concepts to think of as tools in one’s workplace toolbox. The speaker emphasized the importance of presence, the three V's (Verbal, Vocal, Visual), concise, inductive emails, and effective listening.  The concept of mirroring was discussed, including matching temperament, tone, tempo, terminology, and tacit messages to build rapport. John Kotter's Model for Change was introduced, stressing the importance of visualizing problems, sparking emotions, and inspiring action. Participants were encouraged to practice these tools in low-stakes situations.

Action Items

• [ ] Scan the QR code to receive the AI-generated notes, slides, podcast episodes, and book chapters.
• [ ] Practice the communication techniques discussed, such as mirroring, in low-stakes situations.
• [ ] Reach out to the speaker if you have any questions or need help with a difficult conversation.

Outline

Understanding Presence and Communication Impact

• Dr. Janel Anderson defines communication as information multiplied by presence. She explains the importance of delivering information effectively, emphasizing the role of presence in communication.
• The multiplication symbol is used to illustrate that impact can be multiplied by delivering the right information at the right level of detail to the right person (Information) and sharing the information in a way that resonates (Presence).
• Dr. Janel Anderson suggests using the definition as a diagnostic tool to analyze communication failures and successes.
• Examples are provided to illustrate how small talk and being polite can affect communication, especially when in a rush.

The Three V's of Communication

• Dr. Janel Anderson introduces the concept of the three V's: Verbal, Vocal, and Visual.
• Dr. Albert Mehrabian's research on communication is discussed including the experiment that led to the 7% verbal, 38% vocal, and 55% visual results. Dr. Janel Anderson explains that the research was conducted with a very small sample size of college undergraduates and that there are limitations of applying the percentages to professional communication.  The three Vs model is useful, but the percentages are not.
• The importance of verbal communication, tone of voice, and visual cues like eye contact and gestures is highlighted.

Flipping the Script in Email Communication

• Dr. Janel Anderson discusses the difference between deductive and inductive styles in email communication.
• The importance of using an inductive approach, starting emails with the main point and providing additional details later, is emphasized.
• Participants are encouraged to think about how their CEOs prefer to receive information and to adapt their communication style accordingly.

Listening with Your Eyes

• Dr. Janel Anderson introduces the concept of listening with your eyes, focusing on body language and visual cues.
• Examples are provided to illustrate how body language can indicate agreement, frustration, or confusion.
• The importance of paying attention to visual cues during conversations is emphasized.
• Participants are encouraged to practice listening with their eyes in their daily interactions.

Mirroring for Rapport

• Dr. Janel Anderson explains the concept of mirroring, where people naturally match the body language of others to establish rapport.
• The ventromedial prefrontal cortex and mirror neurons are mentioned as the brain areas responsible for mirroring.
• The Five T's of Mirroring are introduced: temperament, tone, tempo, terminology, and tacit messages.
• Examples are provided to illustrate how mirroring can be used to improve communication and establish rapport quickly.

Kotter's Model for Change

• Dr. Janel Anderson introduces John Kotter's Model for Change, which involves visualizing the problem, sparking feelings, and inspiring change.
• The story of a procurement manager who used gloves as a visual aid to demonstrate cost inefficiencies is shared.
• The importance of making people care about the problem before trying to change their behavior is emphasized.
• Participants are encouraged to plan their conversations using Kotter's model to influence others effectively.

Recap and Next Steps

• Dr. Janel Anderson provides a recap of the tools discussed: the three V's, flipping the script, listening with your eyes, mirroring, and Kotter's model for change.
• Participants are reminded to practice the tools in low-stakes situations before applying them in high-stakes interactions.
• Dr. Janel Anderson offers to send AI-generated notes, slides, podcast episodes and the first chapters of the book "Head On: How to Approach Difficult Conversations Directly" to participants.

Slides (PDF)

Missed a point or want a quick refresher? Click on the image to download the slides and revisit the key takeaways anytime. 

Podcast Episodes Related to Cultivating the CFO-CEO Relationship

Working Conversations Podcast (https://workingconversations.com or wherever you get podcasts)

Specific episodes related to the session:

• Episode 5: Debunking the Myth that 93% of Communication is Nonverbal
• Episode 10: These 20 Minutes Will Make You a Better Listener
• Episode 11: The Secret to Fixing Emails
• Episode 57: Three Powerful Ways to Influence
• Episode 58: How to Deal with Angry Customers
• Episode 59: How to Communicate Strategically 
• Episode 83: Be a Better Listener 2.0 

Head On: How to Approach Difficult Conversations Directly 

While you're here, grab the first few chapters of my book for free!

Anderson, Janel. (2018). Head On: How to Approach Difficult Conversations Directly. Gale House Press.  Download a sample chapter here: https://www.janelanderson.com/site/headon

Contact Dr. Janel: 

Phone: 612-327-8026

Email: [email protected]