SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER

September has always meant end of summer and back to school. It's also the timing of the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York City and that means a few weeks of intense viewing at the courts and on TV. Overpriced burgers, Grey Goose Honey Deuce cocktails, and late night group texts with my college buddies as we watch ESPN coverage from different parts of the country adding our own commentary.

WHAT'S A CHANGEOVER ANYWAY

In recent years I've noticed more talk about the changeovers during the matches. These are the 90 or 120 second breaks, designated as rest periods during a set or between sets, respectively. Some announcers continue to do a play-by-play during the changeover because these moments have become a window into the players themselves and audiences are fascinated. Athletes have used that time to meditate, yell at the chair umpire, order espresso or bury their head in a towel. Rafa Nadal takes a sip from one water bottle, then from a second, then places both bottles down at his feet in front of his chair to the left, diagonally aimed at the court. ESPN commented that ALOT can happen in 90 seconds.

90 SECOND POWER TOOL

I couldn't agree more. I've been thinking about what leaders in business can accomplish in a powerful 90 seconds when it comes to relaying their critical messages. The kind of succinct messages that rally employees through a major change or help them connect to company values. The kind of message that creates clear and meaningful insights out of confusing information from an expert. You know, the kind of communication we experience daily.

When businesspeople take the time up front to figure out how to talk about the ingenious plans they've created, they benefit in numerous ways. Audiences actually connect to them as people with feelings, fervor, and fears. They don't stop listening before the speaker stops talking. They ask better questions. They actually understand the point of why they are being asked to do whatever it is they are being asked to do. They recall the key points weeks later and share them with others. With those kind of benefits, it's hard to envision why everyone isn't doing it.

P.S. It just took about 90 seconds for you to read this.

Ellen Weiss is an accredited partner in the GENIUS Business Storytelling methodology, which has helped thousands of business leaders globally become more effective influencers since 2005. Training is offered at half-day interactive public workshops or tailored in-house workshops.