Last week I was challenged by Mark Sanborn via Skype teleclass to question my expertise. Mark believes there are two potential dilemmas facing any professional:
1. Having the expertise, but not communicating it well.
2. Being an effective communicator without expertise.
Either can be deadly to a career.
But here is the catch…it does take focus, energy and time to totally tune in to our expertise and to know how to communicate it well.
Thankfully, Mark broke it down into small steps, steps for every professional if they desire to be an Expert and Eloquent at the same time. Here are 3 of the Mark’s 6 steps we feel anyone, regardless of their profession, can use.
ONE: Know the top 3 – 5 books in your industry (or area of expertise)
Here is what we came up with within our industry.
*Special thanks to Kat Fulton, Janet Fedor, Lisa Nagtegaal, Jimmy Downey and Julie Lowry for contributing to these recommendations
TWO: Practice and Use Your Expertise
As much as I would like to say I am a multi-tasker, science informs me that this phenomena is next to impossible. We can only do one thing at a time and we can only do one thing well if we give it attention.
For me, Practice = Successful Experiences. It is only when I am really comfortable with what I am doing, when it becomes second nature, that I can mae it stronger, clearer and more effective.
THREE: Participate in Our Industry Association
It is here we develop and are challenged in our expertise.
The Canadian Association for Music Therapy is where we acquire our MTA status (Music Therapist Accredited). The registration body in the US is the American Music Therapy Association and the World Federation of Music Therapy lists the registration bodies for other countries.
**If you are a non-music therapist and interested in music therapy you CAN join these groups and support their aims in ensuring professional music therapists are working in hospitals, schools and private residences.
The Canadian Association for Professional Speakers (CAPS) is where I am working towards my CSP (Certified Speaking Professional). The monthly meetings held across Canada are second to none targeting areas of the speaking business (but often relating to other professions as well) including marketing, sales, technology, communication etc.
**If you are interested in professional speaking these meetings welcome guests.
These associations along with our collaborative partners and clients continue to help us pursue our Expertise and Eloquence while promoting meaningful relationships – which at the end of the day is what this all about for us.
Here is a complete listing of the GREAT resources we recommend.
This is the last week for National Music Therapy Month! Thanks for celebrating with us.
Jennifer Buchanan is the happy owner of JB Music Therapy, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2011. Our “Music Speaks” Blog: 50 Musical Motivators for 2011 (MMs) aims to Help you Relax, Reflect and Remember what you Value Most