REACHING NEW HEIGHTS IN COMMUNICATION: LESSONS FROM A ROCKET LAUNCH
The Uber driver was animated as he drove me to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
It was the start of an unforgettable day, full of experiences and stories brimming with courage, tenacity and untapped possibility.
But I was disappointed to learn I’d miss a rocket launch by only two days.
My driver shared that he lived near the NASA base and often watched launches from his back yard.
Some were routine but on other occasions he could see air force jets in the sky and navy ships off the coast. Who knew what was being launched at those times?
What really struck me was the way he described the deeper impacts of the rocket launches.
Sometimes the ground shook and he felt the full sonic boom. Other lift-offs seemed less dramatic but, days later, he’d notice the pictures on his walls weren’t quite straight.
When he first moved into the house, his freezer kept mysteriously defrosting. His kids protested their innocence when he blamed them.
Months later, he realised vibration from the rockets was causing the freezer thermostat dial to move.
Because I work with leaders on their credibility and impact, I could see an analogy there.
When some leaders communicate, it’s loud and dramatic. People take notice for a while, but the impact doesn’t last.
For others, the style is less in-your-face but the effect is deep and long-lasting. Those leaders find ways to understand their audience and build long-term trusting relationships.
What’s your style and how can you ensure your impact lasts the distance?
Dr Neryl East is a professional speaker and executive coach who shows leaders how to be heard, stand out and command influence. Connect with Neryl on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neryleast/
