Mission Group

22/09/2025

BRUTAL LESSONS ABOUT MEDIA INTERVIEWS 🎤
In real life, we have had failures, near misses and successes that allow us to suggest "simple" sounding but powerful reminders for anyone who is communicating with a large audience. (Hint: Town Halls, keynote or media interviews.)

#1 BE GRATEFUL FOR THE PLATFORM
• Their outlet is a platform for you to share your important message. Your discomfort is a small price to pay for the prize of an audience who get to hear your story.

#2 KEY MESSAGES ≤ THREE MESSAGES
• Even at short notice, jot down your key messages on paper. Know WHY you are doing the interview; Know WHY you choose to do this work. (But don’t take the paper into a TV interview. Why? Because you will inevitably look down – even when you know the answer!)

#3 WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?
• If I don’t understand the problem, I won’t care about the solution.
• If I truly understand the problem, the solution is almost obvious.

#4 SHORTER, SIMPLER, BETTER
• Is there a shorter, simpler way you can explain things?

#5 MOVE YOUR HANDS (OR YOU WON’T MOVE THE AUDIENCE)
• Up your energy/engagement level.
• Breathe. (Your answer should be short enough to deliver on one breath)
• Smile (even on radio).
• Make eye contact (even on radio). If it is down the line, imagine making eye contact!
• Never look at camera (unless they specifically ask you to).

#6 ASSUME THE MIC IS ALWAYS ON
• If you don’t want it broadcast, don’t say it (until long after you have left the premises!).
• This includes when you’re presenting on stage and you’re wearing a lapel mic!

👉 Which one resonates with you most?

19/09/2025

https://lnkd.in/p/eayKwdn8

11/07/2025

Super chickens?

Learn more about the harmful impact of pecking orders in any team.
https://www.ted.com/talks/margaret_heffernan_forget_the_pecking_order_at_work

29/06/2025

One of our greatest's influences in our approach... Viktor Frankl.

AUDIO HAS BEEN IMPROVED In this 1963 TV interview Viktor Frankl, author of "Man´s Search for Meaning" describes the basics of his meaning-centered psychother...

23/03/2025

Perhaps you know someone who needs this message this week.)

It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life’s story will develop.

A newspaper article by Pauline Phillips, published decades ago, has been my travelling companion for many years. I used the original as inspiration to update what I shared during a recent keynote. I call it: “The Opportunity of Opposition.”

In three minutes, Justin McKeown shares more than 20 people's apparent set backs - which turn out to be the catalyst for their achievements. Do not pretend challenges don't exist: fake positivity is not the same as optimism. Come what may, you can decide who you will become in spite of - and sometimes because of - your circumstances.

10/02/2025

Accountability is not what most teams seem to think: it is not blaming, scapegoating or bullying. It is about caring. Not so much "acCOUNTability" as "acCAREability."

22/01/2025

The Listening Leader is both wise and rare.

10/12/2024

What a privilege to do work that matters for people who care.

was fabulous to have Justin McKeown back in town over the past few weeks, coaching the next cohort of Splunk Genius Leaders. beyond that we got to spend some…

11/09/2023

Can we stop using the term "soft skills"?
The name implies these traits are less valuable than technical skills, whereas they are critical. But what would you call them? Interpersonal or Human Skills? Emotional Intelligence? What are your suggestions?