5 Applications for Video Coaching

Last week, Ken Wells and I co-facilitated a "High-Tech Speaking" Workshop at KT.

The course is excellent. We had a great time working with the attendees.

But this post is about video coaching. The High Tech Speaking workshop uses one-on-one video coaching to help attendees see their strengths and weaknesses. It makes them aware of the gap between what they feel (I feel so nervous!) and what the audience sees (But I don't look nervous!).

Video is a very powerful tool. So powerful, in fact, that I wonder why it isn't used in all training? Here's a list of five places where I would apply video training or coaching.

1. Presentation Skills: This one is obvious. In fact, I'll say that you should never do presentation training without video coaching.
2. Team Activities: We almost always tape team activities (like the spiderweb). Activities create, in 20 minutes, interpersonal dynamics that would take a year to see in 'normal' operating mode. When we capture these on video, teams can see how they ignored one employee, or divided into cliques, etc. One of my favorite uses of video.
3. Coaching: In many of my coaching sessions, coachees want to practice a dialog that they will have with a manager or peer. When they do their 'rehearsal', I sometimes video tape them (just using the video function on my pocket digital camera). We can then replay the video and look at body language, tone, and facial expressions. Very useful.
4. Coaching Role Plays: In courses that teach managers who coach, role plays should be videotaped. It's very difficult for anyone to sense how they come across, and they don't always trust feedback. Video is objective.
5. Customer Interface Role Plays: Used in the same way as Coaching Role Plays. One person plays the hot customer, while the other tries to defuse the situation. Replaying on video allows both to make constructive feedback.

The possibilities are limitless, but I'd start with these five.

How have you used video for training and coaching?

The Art of Argument

While Angie and I were camping last week, we had the 'pleasure' of listening to an argument in a nearby campsite.

As we talked the next day, we decided that there were 6 reasons why people argue:

1. Because they're right - these folks fall into three categories:
   a) Those that know they are right. Stay away from them. You aren't going to get anywhere, unless you're engaging in a Type 4 argument (having fun). In that case, party on!
   b) Those that think they are right. You can actually have a productive argument with someone who thinks they are right.
   c) Those that want to be right. Someone who's arguing about something they love (like family or religion) might fall in this category. You should ask yourself if this is an argument you're willing to win. The fallout may be too great.
2. Because you're wrong - These folks don't have a right answer. They just believe that you're wrong. You'd better have a great evidence, because you don't have any credibility with them on this issue.
3. Because they're obstinate - They have a stance. They don't know if it's right. They don't care if you're wrong. They are not going to move.
4. Because it's fun (for them) - I sometimes fall into this category. I like to argue for sport, with no attachment to outcome. And, I love to watch tightly strung people blow a gasket. If you're highly strung, you probably don't want to enter an argument with me or someone like me.
5. Because they think the situation calls for a 'devils advocate' - It often helps to get an alternative point of view. Some people occupy this role strategically. Others do it as a way of life. Occasionally, the position is assigned to someone.
6. Because it helps them think - Debating helps me think. I'll sometimes argue both sides of an issue within a half-hour. I'm not tied to any position yet.

You can see that it's pretty important to see why someone is arguing.

And, it's just as important to understand why you are arguing.

Purpose changes the dynamics.

So, next time you're in an argument, try asking, "Why?"

VizThink 09 Highlights: XPLANE Discovery Cards

I am always looking for new tools to add to my toolbox, so I got all geeked up when I saw these Discovery Cards at the XPLANE booth at VizThink 09...

This card set is designed to facilitate the discussion of issues. There are four subsets in the deck - 'crisis', 'growth', and 'change' form the issues portion. The participant(s) will recognize their current issues in this set and set this side. They then tell the story of their problem. 

When this step is completed, the fourth subset - 'action' - is used to identify possible actions.

I love using visual and kinesthetic tools to facilitate discussion. I call them 'Externalization Engines'. Photos, Legos, Cards, Physical Modeling, Drawings, Posters: all of these allow people to present thoughts and feelings that are difficult to articulate.

My set of cards arrived today and they look great.

I can't wait to find a opportunity to use them.

Make sure to check out XPLANE's Discovery Cards, and I'll update you as soon as I use them.

VizThink 09 Highlights II - Jessica Hagy

Jessica Hagy debunks 15 Professional 'Rules'

If you haven't seen Jessica Hagy's brilliant Indexed site or book, you should go look at it now. Don't even bother with my site until you've spent an hour in hers... really.. hers is a treasure. I grant you permission to go there (if only Jennifer had just said that.. "Go Brad. Hell, it's Angelina. Clearly, I've been bested").

Jessica gave a very funny, informal presentation where she summarized 15 professional rules, and then debunked all of them. In between, she had us use her favorite tools - Venn diagrams and the X-Y axis - to make some sense of our worlds.

This was my favorite exercise.

1. Draw a 2-circle Venn Diagram.
2. Label the first circle with something you're really good at.
3. Label the second circle "Prostitution"
4. Find the relationship between the two (if you're a lawyer, the overlap will obviously be much greater than the one in my diagram).

Here's mine.

Teaching is what I do, but it was hard to find a common area, at first.

Then I found it - Students named John.

Try the exercise.

And if you get a chance to see Jessica present, I recommend you do it.

Images of La Paz, Mexico

Swimming with Sea Lions

Angie and I spent 10 days in La Paz recently. Here are my 13 favorite images.

You can see 400 of my best at Huesimages in the Baja, Mexico section.

Traditional Dancers

Egret in La Paz Harbor

Street in the artists town of Todos Santos

2o-foot Whale Shark - La Paz Harbor

Carnaval 2009 Beauty Queen, La Paz

Jumping Manta, Sea of Cortez

Carnaval 2009 Beauty Queen, La Paz

Grey Whale Fluke - Magdalena Bay

Santa Misa Cathedral - La Paz

Sand Dunes - Magdalena Island

Grey Whale Fluke - Magdalena Bay

La Paz Sunset

Radio Hues Now Broadcasting

1st Rule of Rock: Bigger is Louder and Louder is (always) Better

Over the past week, I've been 'facebooking' with some old friends. 

Those old friends know me better as a musician than as a teacher.

Sometimes, I think that the stage has changed but the song remains the same.

It's all about communication, storytelling, and audience participation.

I'm never too far from music. 

I collect music from around the world. I collect musical instruments from around the world.

And I try to get in an occasional jam session with local musicians.

The shot above came from the Japan Drum Museum - very cool place.

Anyway, today I set up a music page on my website. 

You can hear 10 of my songs at huesmusic.

Restroom Iconography VII: Hanauma Bay

While in Hawaii in January, Angie and I went snorkeling at Oahu's Hanauma Bay. The snorkeling was mediocre - the seas were rough and visibility suffered.

But - I found another cool restroom icon.

This man icon is roughed up around the edges, giving it a primitive feel, and then a tapa cloth was added around his groin.

I found it particularly interesting that they decided to distress the handicapped icon as well.

It really does look like an abstract petroglyph when that is done to it.

Just another example of how you can take a mundane object that we see every day and add a little character or culture to it.

Restroom Iconography VI: Waikiki Beach Walk

Our recent trip to Honolulu proved to be a treasure trove for Restroom Iconography.

This one, which I found at Waikiki Beach Walk, looks like it could have been inspired by the classic surf film, "Endless Summer" (a film which had a profound effect on me, as a kid).

Anyway, this sign has classic lines, and the wood inlay is - I think - an excellent touch.

Another example of design that is effective and attractive!

Non-verbal Communications and Sigur Ros

You've probably seen this data before. It shows that only 7% of communication comes from words.

It's one of the most misused pieces of research in recent history (the research was conducted specifically on emotional content of communication - NOT understandability).

At the same time, we can quickly validate the general 'truthiness' (thank you Stephen Colbert) of the research with some examples:

• parents can communicate effectively with babies, without verbal communications
• children from different cultures can play together without a common language
• the evolution of non-verbal signals in emails - emoticons, 'all-caps', underlines
• the effectiveness of silent movies
• the scariness of mimes
• Sigur Ros

Okay, you might be wondering what a Sigur Ros is.

They are an Icelandic band that is quite successful globally.

Their song "Hoppipola" appears in the new trailer for "Slumdog Millionaire", at the 1:15 mark.

"Staralfur" provides the soundtrack to the climax of "The Life Aquatic". 

Despite the fact that Sigur Ros sings in a language that 97% of their audience doesn't understand, they have created an intense emotional experience with their listeners.

Here is an incredible video of "svefn-g-englar", with the Perlan Theater Group.

I'm convinced that even a single word added to this video would only detract from it the power.

How can you use non-verbal communication more powerfully?

Additional Links

• Sigur Ros - Hoppipola video
• Sigur Ros - Glosoli video
• Image from The Message

Restroom Iconography V: Hawaii

Hawaii must be a mecca of improvisational restroom icon design.

I found a number of interesting variations during this recent trip.
This sign is located at Honolulu International Airport.

Once again, we have a simple update of the traditional international icon.
The addition of an aloha shirt and the Hawaiian word for man tells us where we are, while maintaining the integrity of the original design.

How can you localize a standard offering with a splash of color or a pattern?

Restroom Iconography IV: Hawaii

In our continuing series of restroom iconography, we return to Hawaii.
This week, we find another creative interpretation of the familiar international icon.

Two nice features here:

1. The use of petroglyph symbols for the icons. I'm a big petroglyph fan, so I appreciate the nod to ancient culture - even if they probably just used a bush back then.
2. The use of Hawaiian language. The Hawaiian language is a beautiful one, so I'm pleased whenever I see it.

One minor criticism: The woman looks like an Amazon.
She's quite a bit bigger than the male icon. Too much poi?

Restroom Iconography III: Japan

This is a no-peeing zone...

In a country where a man can heed natures' call just about anywhere - in an alley, in a bush, by the side of the road, off the end of a train platform - it's rare to find a place where you can't relieve yourself (just another reason why I love Japan).

Here, however - in a Tokyo parking lot by a pachinko parlor in a neighborhood close to Asakusa Temple - peeing is prohibited.

There is much to admire about this icon: The realistic pelvic thrust, the dotted stream, and of course the strategic placement of the cross line.

I also will give extra points for going with a square versus the usual circular red 'no' symbol.

It's a sign of my maturity that I didn't steal the darn thing (it would look great in my office).

And a sign of my immaturity that I regret that I didn't steal it...

Restroom Iconography II: Hawaii

Here's the 2nd in my series of photos that capture creative restroom icons around the world.

This one is from Hawaii.

Unfortunately, my notes don't indicate where these restrooms are.

If you know, please share...

The previous image I shared displayed a very loose interpretation of the international icon for a human figure.

This one, on the other hand, embraces the rounded, bland figure that we're all familiar with and dresses it up with a grass skirt, coconut bikini, and frangipani flower.

Restroom Iconography I: Mexico

Maybe it's my fascination with the human figure.
Maybe it's my interest in graphic design.

Maybe I'm just odd...

Whatever the reason, I am unreasonably delighted when I encounter a restroom with an atypical male/female icon on its' signboard.

I found this elegant icon outside the ladies room at the Marquis Resort in Los Cabos. I was waiting there for my wife (that's my story and I'm sticking to it).

I'm not sure that Frank Lloyd Wright had restroom signs in mind when he said, "God is in the details". At the same time, I'm pretty sure he'd approve.

Storyboarding for Success

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I'm rewriting one of our workshop manuals in manga/comic book format.

While I was in Cabo San Lucas last week, I continued work on the project.

Storyboarding is the easiest way for me to do this. It triggers my right brain by forcing me to think visually. It also forces me to simplify my concepts.
So, I sat by the pool with a pad of post-it notes and sketched out my ideas.

The workbook opens with a quote from Confucius - "If you must play a game, know the stakes, the rules, and the quitting time" - so you can see here that I sketched some ideas around that.

The post-it notes are great, because I can move them around, insert or delete ideas and images, or redraw one without wasting the other pictures.

Once I drew the storyboard, I went to Microsoft Clip Art and grabbed some images that matched my storyboards. Eventually, I'll acquire some more exclusive images or shoot my own, but the Microsoft art is free and represents a good start.

Here is my 'manga' version of the Confucius quote.

Had I started at the computer, it would have probably taken more time, been less clear, and less creative.

The next time you create a presentation or document, try storyboarding first. You might be surprised by the results.

One other way to utilize your storyboards, is to just import them directly into your document or presentation.

This image that depicts "Stereotypes vs. Generalizations"

could be cleaned up in Photoshop and easily dropped into my presentation.

Note to Interior Designers

I believe that design communicates.
And that good communication should be designed.
I created the phrase DesignComm to cover both these beliefs.

Here's a lesson in DesignComm.
Design doesn't just communicate by how it looks.
Just like words represent only a fraction of communication, visuals only represent a fraction of design.

Case in point - The Hilton Cabo San Lucas Resort.
Our room is beautiful, it really is.

I love the colors. The room looks Mexican.
A pet peeve of mine is hotel rooms that are of 'International' design. I don't know what that means, except "no place on earth really looks like this".
I should be able to wake up and, without leaving the bed, tell you what country I'm in.
The Hilton succeeds at this.

Now the bad news. Cabo is a hot, humid, seaside environment.
And our room is filled with fabric.
Look at the photo above... 6 pillows and a ton of cushions. There are more pillows on the bed and there are fabric curtains.

What does this mean? Must and mildew.
The room smells like my grandmothers closet. We have to open the patio doors, which freshens the room, but brings in more sea breezes to continue the cycle of humidity.

Now, I'm not an interior designer, but even I wouldn't load a seaside villa with fabric.
Why do they do it? Because they don't have to live in it?

How about some blinds? And taking away 9/10 of the pillows?

If design communicates, then this room communicates, "We weren't thinking when we designed this!".

Five Reasons: Why Laser Pointers Suck

Here you go...

1. Laser Pointers are Gods way of telling you that your slide designs are shitty. If you need to point at something, take that as a hint to rebuild the slide.
2. I really don't need to stare at your butt. Your face might not be a match for Brad or Angelina, but it's very likely better looking than your ass. When you take out the laser pointer, you turn away from us.
3. Every time you turn your back, the jackass next to me pulls out his text-phone and starts 'tap-tapping' away. I hate that. Don't encourage him.
4. I get vertigo from your swirling of the 'dot'. I gave up video games years ago. I hated "Blair Witch Project". And I'm not an ADD-inflicted feline that's mesmerized by red light.
5. You look like a dork when play with your pointer. You're going to drop it, or scratch your head with it, or rap it on the table, or do some other equally distracting thing. 

Seriously, throw away your laser pointer and two things happen.

My IQ goes up by 30 points, and my perception of your IQ goes up by 60 points.

What is Plagiarism?

What is plagiarism? This question was discussed in one of my recent classes. I find the Merriam-Webster definition - "present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source" - to be the most useful.

It's an practical question, because plagiarism is all around us. 

1. At this moment, I have the Verve running on my iPod. While working on my homework, "Bittersweet Symphony" played. This is the 1997 hit that was built off a sample of an orchestral version of the Rolling Stones' "The Last Time", which was 'inspired' by "This May Be The Last Time" by The Staple Singers, which has roots in a traditional Gospel song. Next song on my play list  was Jay-Z rapping over "Bittersweet Symphony" in a track titled "Brush Your Bitter Sweet Shoulders Off". Dizzy yet?
   Five generations and only the last one gave proper credit... (http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=478)
2. A few weeks ago, I had lunch with Greg Pyper. I've worked with Greg for a few years, since he was with Marcum & Smith. He now works at a coaching company called InsideOut.
   He asked what coaching model we use and I told him we use the GROW model. He grimaced as he informed me that the founder of his company was part of the group that 'created' the GROW model in the 70's. No one copyrighted it, and now it appears all over the Internet, often unattributed. While it may not technically be 'public domain' (lawyers are trying to figure that out, I guess), it might be common knowledge at this point. What to do?

These are two cases that are just the tip of a massive (and growing) iceberg.
Scenarios like these undermine the credibility of the creator, the adopter, and even of the idea itself.

Knowledge and wisdom are built on the past and taken forward.
That which is built on the past should be honored and then challenged. 

That which is new should be challenged and then, if it passes the test of time, honored. 

To do this, we must know the difference.

What can be done? I think you have to honor the source, both intellectually and in a sense, spiritually. 
That is, you have to know your own voice and know when you're not speaking in your own voice. 
Of course, colleagues can be a big help in pointing that out, as well.

Thoughts?

Mindmapping slide:ology

A couple of weeks ago, I combined two cool things: mindmapping and Nancy Duarte's "slide:ology".

Since today is DesignComm day at huesworks, I thought I'd share it with you.

I built this mindmap at bubbl.us

Remember to buy the book and practice the principles!

Network Icons

This isn't earth-shattering, but it's kinda cool for my IT friends.

Cisco has a page here, where they make network icons available to all.
So, if you're putting together a doc or presentation that needs a network diagram on it - you've now got em!