"I am who I am."

I can still remember sitting in front of the TV after school watching my favorite spinach-eating character flexing his "musKles" and saving the day.

But, my perspective of Popeye's quote, "I am who I am" recently changed when I heard a client use the phrase to describe people who had no interest in adapting and no interest in working with others who were different from them. "I am who I am, and if you don't like me - who cares."

I recently learned a new concept from a colleague Amy Tolbert at ECCO International. Actually, it wasn't a new concept but it was just framed in a way that really resonated with me. It is called Mattering or Marginalizing.

There is no shortage of technical skills in today’s workplace, but finding people who can effectively communicate, collaborate, and cooperate is a different story. One of the most sought after requests I hear from my clients, prospects, and girlfriend is the need for better communication.

f you had to guess what percentage your words, tone of voice, and body language contributes to how a person understands your message, what would you say? Most people respond with the notion that words are the most important aspect of communication. However, research* indicates that your words only impact 7% of how a message is understood. Your tonality contributes to 37% of what is understood and your body language 55%. So what does this mean to you? Communication should be intentional.

Your Words