Remember my laryngitis?

It resulted in a number of epiphanies! I wrote about what I learned about communication by not speaking, just published in the Stanford Social Innovation Review.

Here's an excerpt:

Losing my voice for several days was a fascinating exercise. I gleaned empathy for people who cannot speak, express themselves immediately, or yell for help. My biggest epiphany was around questions: I was distressed that I could not ask my husband about his day, what he was reading, or what he was telling me. I thought a lot about how questions express interest and how they also influence conversation. I realized that questions are about helping the person questioned be heard and better understood; they can also be about selfishly amplifying the voice of the questioner.

And here's the full link.

e.g., "Rule number eight: exploit superstitious thinking"

"Ten ironic rules for non-statistical reviewers" ("... written for reviewers who may not have sufficient statistical expertise to provide an informed critique during the peer-reviewed process, but would like to recommend rejection on the basis of inappropriate or invalid statistical analysis") by Prof. Karl Friston will appear in the journal NeuroImage.

"There’s been an accident at the traffic lights and we need an ambulance fast!"

What is Lego saying about cycling?

(h/t: Bike Snob NYC)

"Here's what we've done to help."

Two things I said to the Board this morning about Rock Creek Hills Park:

"...understanding the availability of the site is key to avoiding wasting time, resources, and scarce tax dollars pursuing an option that may not exist."

"Doing so would be consistent with the due diligence that is required in any site selection, and in this case, it could help avoid enforcement actions or threats to future funding."

Save Rock Creek Hills Park!

What I said to the Board last night: "... don't build a costly and deficient school on this little park."

Sunday Feature: Photo Gallery.

Have you seen what supporters of Rock Creek Hills Park are sharing on facebook?

Save Rock Creek Hills Park!

What Cathy Fink told the Board Monday night: "In this park 50 languages say hi to each other."

Save Rock Creek Hills Park!

What Paul Beck told the Board Monday night: "I invite you to reflect for a moment on our sense of betrayal."

Save Rock Creek Hills Park!

What I told the Board of Ed last night: "No wonder you don't want to talk about this."

Save Rock Creek Hills Park!

[Photo: Soccer yesterday in Rock Creek Hills Park, &

the Kensington Park retirement community.

Join park supporters on facebook ;

learn more at http://SaveRockCreekHillsPark.org. ]

Save Rock Creek Hills Park!

We have been writing here less often, NeuroCooking friends, because another topic has been occupying us lately, a great deal really, since the night of April 28th, when, out of the blue, something shocking and terrible happened.

In fact, ...

* * * * *

On second thought, we would prefer not to go into the matter here. However, we would like to take the opportunity to direct your attention to it.

And so, please, might we direct your attention to:

http://SaveRockCreekHillsPark.org

And to the facebook page "Save Rock Creek Hills Park".

Thank you for your understanding, and your interest.

GREAT Question!

Every public speaking coach I've known advises presenters not to respond to a question from the audience with "That's a good question." The fear is that as inquiries progress, when you do not respond affirmatively, the questioner will feel badly, as if he or she asked a less-than-stellar question.

Well, maybe they did. Maybe the question is irrelevant, or less-than-focused. Maybe it completely distracts from your main point.

A good presentation invites good questions; as a speaker, you are taking time to highlight your main points. Why not also highlight the questions that frame your important responses?

Also, a good presentation is a shared and equitable experience between the presenter and the audience. You are inviting conversation. As a partner in the conversation, you have the right to respond honestly, and to passionately build the discussion.

Responding, "Great question!" is not about passing judgment on your audience; it's about you and your interests, and the information you are excitedly sharing. Don't tamp down your enthusiasm. Great questions service the delivery of great content.