Terry WilhiteTerry Wilhite | The Communications Strategist

A word about media training

Terry Wilhite — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 03:00:16 PDT

Media training is routinely offered to leaders, and it can be especially helpful if done well. I recommend it. I enjoy helping CEO’s and key staffers work with the media. And over the years, I’ve watched other people do media training – and usually it about kills me. Why?   When it comes to “media relations”, most media trainers teach some sort of “cat and mouse” game – how the corporate spokespeople (the mouse) can outsmart the media (the cat).

Such strategy ultimately will not work. It is really important that spokespeople and reporters find common ground so that both offer viewers/readers the best insight humanly possible.

Media relationships aren’t any different than any other relationships. They should be built on trust – mutual understanding and respect – not how to out slick another.

You, too?

Terry Wilhite — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 12:35:38 PDT

Are you a fan of YouTube, too? Love YouTube AND info graphics. This is a great graphic about one of the greatest social media tools on the planet. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve turned to You Tube to steam roll a learning curve. Kids and teenagers, including my own, watch far more You Tube than cable or network television. Check out this graphic.

Electronic or Paper?

Terry Wilhite — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 21:43:16 PDT

Which do you prefer – an electric book or the real [paper] deal? After buying a few e-books when I got my first iPad several years ago, soon I was right back where I started – buying “real” books. I’m staring at a book case right now that holds some incredible titles and content. It makes me feel good to look at that book case. It’s one of several here. Books are as much about how they make us feel as how they are packaged – electronic or paper. When I saw this graphic, I knew I had to share it.

Communications’s Top Principle

Terry Wilhite — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 03:00:21 PDT

How could most of your communications challenges and mine be eliminated? Stephen Covey pegged it in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.

He said: “If I were to summarize in one sentence the single most important principle I have learned in the field of interpersonal relations, it would be this: Seek first to understand, then to be understood. This principle is the key to effective interpersonal communication.”

I would submit it is the heart of all effective communication.

So what do we do with this truth?

1. Whatever role you find yourself in, stress this principle, live it out and teach it to others around you.

2. Don’t assume because you don’t understand something, it is illegal or wrong. This is one I stress to reporters. Granted, reporters get paid to be skeptical. But a few also skip the “seek first to understand” part and jump to conclusions. Noise-making activists do the same. Spend the time seeking to understand. Have an open mind. You do not know it all. Specialists are specialists for a reason.

3. Do a great job seeking to be understood. The same methodical, chronological steps that led you to your conclusion will need to be the same methodical, chronological steps you use to help others gain understanding.

It gets no more important than this principle. Study it Work it. Re-read “7 Habits”.