North Texas Dentistry Volume 11 Issue 1 | Page 23

communication

5 Ways the Pandemic Has Changed How We Communicate by Karen Cortell Reisman , MS

30 minutes is the new hour .
You are not less busy just because you ’ re not traveling , commuting , or happy-houring with clients . Congrats . You are the optimistic scheduler you ’ ve always been and you already know that virtual everything exhausts the best of us . So , keep it concise whether you ’ re sending emails or doing presentations . An hour is a loooong time .
Face masks create a new smile technique .
For in-person encounters , your smile must reach your eyes . Since half your face is covered , make sure your eyes meet the eyes of others and if the occasion warrants a smile , show that twinkle in your eye . Welcome to your new smile – an eye-smile .
Listening skills become the benchmark . prehistoric non-Covid days ) gesture big . Now , master the micro-gesture .
Emotional transparency goes mainstream .
Good leadership during this pandemic requires empathy , understanding , and encouragement . Sometimes you won ’ t have the answers . No one , wearing their personal or professional hat , is operating on Plan A . And there just might be a precious child screeching or an adorable dog barking while you deliver your version of the Gettysburg Address . Have mercy . Show grace .
# Speaking # PresentationSkills # Business- Communication # OrganizationalCommunication # Speaker
Karen Cortell Reisman , communication expert , author , and coffee ice cream eater , works with dentists on their case presentations and dental lectures , speaks to dental associations from Yankee to Pankey , and coaches decision makers on how to ‘ Speak For Yourself ’ to make even more money . Karen is president of Speak For Yourself ® , she ’ s had a blast speaking in North America , China and Israel and , now , she has become a Certified Virtual Presenter . Currently , she travels all the way from her kitchen to her living room to give keynotes and do executive consulting .
Your ability to listen has always been mistakenly underrated . It ’ s the toughest communication skill . ( You never want to shut up .) These days active listening is critical . Information talks , wisdom listens .
Video communication requires the “ micro-gesture ”.
You only have a 2-inch by 2-inch square on most video sharing screens to show your body language and the camera sees only your head , shoulders , and maybe your torso . ( Depending on how far back you ’ re sitting or standing .) Your gestures need to model your surroundings . On a stage ( back in the www . northtexasdentistry . com | NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY 23