Savvy Skills for Straight Talk from a Distance with Rick Brandon | S2E012

Rick Brandon and Debra Dinnocenzo discuss the role and important applications of political savvy in the workplace with a focus on the evolving hybrid/remote environment. Rick also overviews the key skills described in his book, Straight Talk, and discusses the essential aspects of communication from a distance. Hear why traditionally described ‘soft skills’ are becoming the vital skills for successful leadership in the new world of work and why leaders must step into the new methods, styles, and applications of traditional leadership skills to ensure productivity, profitability, and wellness in the workplace – all of which impacts team performance and talent retention.

About the Guest:

Rick Brandon, Ph.D., is CEO of Brandon Partners, is a best-selling author and designer of flagship workshops on Organizational Savvy and the Motivational Tool Kit. With thirty years of performance improvement and interpersonal communication skills development, he has trained tens of thousands at companies worldwide, including scores of Fortune 500 companies.

Several clients urged Brandon to write Survival of the Savvy (Free Press, 2004), noting that too little material existed in the marketplace on this important competency. This straight-talking and practical book quickly made the Wall Street Journal bestseller list, was called “the definitive book on political savvy” by Robert Eichinger, founder of the Lominger Career Architect, and earned endorsements by thought leaders Ken Blanchard, Marshall Goldsmith, Harvey MacKay, and many CEO’s. It was Book of the Month for the Institute for Management Studies, Fast Company magazine, and Forbes CEO.com, & was reviewed in Harvard Business Review, Library Journal, Business Book Reviews, Executive Book Summaries, and many articles. The book’s core model is regularly presented at The Conference Board, American Society of Training and Development, the Institute for Management Studies (18 cities in 2005, the most requested program) and many companies’ Leadership Forums.

Brandon is also the author of the recently released book, Straight Talk (Matt Holt, 2022), which hones core Assertive Speaking and Empathic Listening skills, and then funnels readers into step-by-step formats for six vital workplace situations: Gaining Commitments, Advising and Guiding, Recognizing, Reminding, Constructively Confronting, and Challenging Ideas. Dr. Brandon also delivers High-Impact Workshops, Keynote Presentations, Executive Coaching, Corporate Training and applied behavioral sciences consulting to enhance performance and organizational results.

Connect with Rick at: Rick@BrandonPartners.com or linkedin.com/in/rickbrandon

Learn more about Rick and his work at: https://brandonpartners.com/

About the Host:

Since publishing her first book on telecommuting in 1999, Debra has been a pioneer in the shift to virtual work and remote leadership. Few practitioners in the field have the depth of knowledge and hands-on experience that distinguishes Debra in the hybrid workplace and remote leadership space. As a nationally recognized expert in remote workplace and distance leadership, Debra has spoken widely on related topics, and developed and taught "Leadership in the Virtual Workplace," an online graduate-level course.

Debra A. Dinnocenzo is president and founder of VirtualWorks!, a consulting, coaching, and training firm that specializes in virtual work issues. Debra is a dynamic keynote speaker, innovative educator,...