Show notes
Richard Newman is the founder of Body Talk, and the author of the book ‘You Were Born To Speak’. A communication expert, he has been training clients all over the world for twenty years in business communication skills, how to best utilise business storytelling, mindset, and how to perform at their best in the key moments in life
In this episode, Fredrik, Ivan and Charlie Sandvall talk to Richard about how to hone their communication skills, using methods and techniques that have taken Richard a lifetime to perfect.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- From an early age, Richard discovered that his communication skills were lacking, which led to difficulties in forming relationships and interacting socially. This lasted throughout his school life, and until he one day decided that he needed to better his skills in this area.
In India, while living among Tibetan monks, he was forced to use his own creativity to interact and form relationships with them. It was here that he learned to make effective use of non-verbal communications, such as body language and facial expressions. At acting school, he further developed these skills. Subsequently, through a very unlikely connection, Richard then began training companies in how to communicate more effectively. Richard now trains over 10,000 people each year, all over the world.
- Everything we desire in life, that we don’t already have, is outside of our comfort zone. If it’s inside our comfort zone, then we already own it, or we don’t really want it that much.
- When interacting with people in authority, or “VIPs”, it’s always best to treat them as a human being. Be respectful, be kind., But putting them on a pedestal will not help your interactions. What does this person care about? What’s important to them? They will appreciate and respect this approach, as all humans do.
- Human beings have not risen to the top of the food chain on the planet because we’re the fastest or the strongest beings on the planet. We have become the most prevalent species on the planet because we are the best species at communicating. We have used communication to form governments, to organise strategy, to enable the replenishment of our species. This proves that we are all far more capable when it comes to communication than we often think.
- In life and business, you can have the perfect speech, pitch, language and script in the world. But it means nothing if your delivery is not working. Equally, you can deliver a speech perfectly, but you have nothing to say, then they won’t take action. So we have to make sure we possess both. Congruency is key.
- A person’s imagination is a strong component in communication. Words can evoke imagery in the mind. Utilising the correct words can create pictures and even memories for people, which can then be used to influence feelings.
- A successful speech doesn’t mean you have to memorise every word. There’s a journey you need to take your audience on, and you can visualise that journey. All you need to do is then embark upon that journey in your mind and take your audience with you.
- To get people hooked into an idea, or to put it another way, one of the main ingredients in a “viral hit”, we must tap into the journey that every human is looking for. We like stories. They help to make sense of the world around us. We are all, sometimes subconsciously, looking for the “hero’s journey” story archetype. The skill in a great communicator is transmitting that central concept into every story they tell.
- To Richard, investing in yourself means nourishing yourself completely, from physical stimulation, to culture, to food, to becoming the best version of yourself there can be, in order that you can recognise where you are at that moment, where you want to go, how you’ll get there, and how you’ll make that happen.
BEST MOMENTS
‘I started to feel as though I was in a bubble, and that I couldn’t connect well with people’
‘Even when you have no use of words, no common language, you can connect with people on a deeper, richer level’
‘Because I embraced something that was a far bigger challenge than I was ready for, I was able to achieve something very fulfilling’
‘You’re never quite ready and that’s okay’
‘You really have to push yourself to improve’
‘Everything you want in your life, is outside of your comfort zone’
‘People like to speak, and people like to listen’
‘Be as good as you possibly can be every day, not just when a VIP is visiting’
‘We all have some kind of fear’
‘Actually, all of us are naturally good communicators’
‘You can say the right words and get the wrong reaction’
‘We are essentially visual creatures’
‘Words lead to pictures lead to feelings’
‘There’s an amazing power that words have to create pictures’
‘A pause is an audio highlighter’
VALUABLE RESOURCES
https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardnewmanspeaks/
https://www.facebook.com/richardnewmanspeaks
https://www.ukbodytalk.com/
Invest In You Podcast
ABOUT THE HOST
Serial entrepreneur Fredrik Sandvall loves sharing ideas and interviewing world-class entrepreneurs and influencers. Invest in You is about investments, entrepreneurs, personal development and doing fun things. He hopes to ensure you take action, helping others and yourself, plus enjoy the journey we call life.
CONTACT METHOD
LinkedIn
Sandall Invest
Facebook
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
Stay Connected
