Category Archives: Body Language

Body language includes non-verbal communication and behaviour, like gestures, gaze, facial expressions, etc.

Confident Leadership Video Course

Leave a reply

Hello fellow Communication Enthusiasts! I put together a mini-masterclass of the key communication skills for (new) managers on a new site (https://3vcoachric.com/) that I teach in my standard coaching program, so that anyone can have access to these tips. It is all on video, and comes with some bonuses too (like a free ebook). The first 2 parts are free, so you can watch over 15 minutes of precise communication tips when ready! If you want to carry on, then you can pay a small fee to get access to the rest of the course. Either way, take a peek at the promo video above, and if you’re interested, hit the website and get access to the first two parts now. Why wait? Your career won’t. 🙂 Thanks for your interest and do let me know what you think of the course.

https://3vcoachric.com/

Screenshot from new video course

New Online Communication Masterclass for Managers

Leave a reply

Are you a (new) manager, supervisor or team leader, and need to polish your communication skills? Perhaps improve they way you read, then lead your team? Key communication skills will definitely help.

This unique video mini-masterclass is a 5-part series that covers all the essential communication skills that managers need to become more effective leaders.

You’ll learn how to:

Make a lasting impression
Develop people management skills
Manage staff effectively
Deal with conflict and difficult people
Persuade others with confidence
and many more leadership skills

For a limited time only you get access to the first 2 parts (over 15 min) for free. Take a chance, tell me what you think. Here is the new site link: https://3vcoachric.com/

Lead Magnet

To your success!

Coach Ric

Deer walking in Nara, Japan

Zen Customer Experience

Leave a reply

I spent most of January 2023 in Japan. It was a business trip, but there was opportunity to travel as well, so I wasn’t stuck in Tokyo the whole time. I also visited Hakone, Nara, Kyoto and Yokohama. This was my fifth time being in Japan, and I got to see some new places (like the deer-filled streets of Nara), ate some different food (like the black eggs in Hakone), and met some new people. Do you know what DIDN’T change? What has never changed since I first started travelling to Japan in 2008? The super-high level of customer service and client care. It’s so consistent and it’s so refreshing. As a traveller, a visitor, it’s the best experience. People are so polite not just with their words, but with their non-verbal communication as well. Soft voice, respectful eye contact, small arm gestures, calm voice. Definitely a few things the West could learn from.

However even a rose has thorns. I’ll leave you with this counter-thought from a Tokyo guy: “yes the customer service in Japan is high level, but it’s scripted, it’s mandatory and therefore fake. The customer service you receive in Canada (or elsewhere) may not always be top-notch, but at least it’s genuine. When you receive great care in Canada, you know it’s 100% real, and it leaves a special feeling.”

Interesting point. So is the key to great customer service the overall experience, and ease, or is it the genuine heart of the experience? Maybe it’s simply how the experience and people involved made you feel.

Trust in the Good of Humanity

Leave a reply

A few weeks back, I was walking home in my neighbourhood after buying a bottle of wine for dinner. While walking on the sidewalk, a van came up from an underground parking lot, and to my surprise, failed to brake in time and almost hit me. I was a little shocked at first, jumped back, and used my right hand to brace against his hood, causing a little slapping noise when my hand connected.

Well, since I immediately understood that the van did indeed stop just in time, and there was no accident, I continued to walk home on the sidewalk. I did not attempt to make eye contact with the driver as I didn’t want to accidentally instigate a verbal or even physical confrontation. I did not say anything nor cast any dirty looks. I simply walked on, content that there was no need to cause an issue.

About 3 minutes later, I noticed on my left side that the same burgundy van was now beside me (more or less), in traffic, and again, I didn’t feel the need to look over. Until I heard his voice.

I turned and looked at him, a big, burly man with long dark hair and a beard, in what I guess I would describe as looking like a biker, and, with a matching deep, gravelly voice, said “I’m sorry Brother.”

In a split-second I judged his voice and facial expressions to be sincere, and knew that he felt bad about the almost-accident. There was no doubt in my mind that he was determined to let me know that he was sorry. I believed him.

So I waved my hand to him, switching from a wave to a thumbs-up, and shouted to him “no problem!” Thanks!” And that was that. My faith in humanity was once again restored. There are plenty of good people in the world who make mistakes, and feel the need to fix them. There are still people who practice an almost-rare attitude of “well, if I made a mistake, I’ll own it, and fix it if I can.” He I suppose was one such guy. And I wish him the best. I smiled the rest of the way home.

Ric Phillips, Communication Coach

I’m in the Top 30 Global Gurus

Leave a reply

Well what a nice surprise! I’m excited and honoured to be included in the prestigious Global Gurus Top 30 2022 under the category of Communication Professional, ranked #13. Strict criteria for selection includes being a published author, sharing original thought leadership pieces, and the public vote. I’ve been at this since 2006, and I am happy to receive this recognition. Thank you very much to all of my mentors, readers, clients and supporters. You are the best. 🙂

The World’s Best Communication Speakers Trainers Thought Leaders
#13 2022 – Ric Phillips

Communication Skills Part of YEDI Success

Leave a reply

As most of you know I am part of a team that trains entrepreneurs, both for-profit and not-for-profit, in Canada and abroad.  This year our organization YEDI (York Entrepreneurship Development Institute) which operates partnership programs with York University and Schulich Executive Education Centre was ranked the #1 University-linked accelerator in the world, by UBI Global.  I am proud to be on the YEDI team, where my primary role is to improve the business communication skills of our entrepreneurs in the areas of leadership, customer service, networking and pitching skills (from slides to body language!) and branding.   As an original co-founder of YEDI I can attest that having communication skills training was always part of the formula for YEDI, since a great idea will be wasted or shelved if the business owner cannot express it in a simple and impactful way to potential partners and investors, catching their attention and clearly understanding how they will benefit.  At the risk of sounding too self-serving, I wish YEDI continued success and exciting developments in the near future!

http://www.yedinstitute.org/yedi-ranked-1-in-the-world-by-ubi-global/

NCCA Canada Toronto Event Press Release

Leave a reply

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 9th 2017

CONTACT: Mr. Ric Phillips, Executive Director, [email protected], 647-478-8612

NCCA Canada Hosted Innovative Toronto Event Connecting Communication Coaches With Small Business Entrepreneurs to Help Improve Business Communications

Toronto City Hall, October 13th 2017 — The key to successfully starting and growing a business is effective communications.  An entrepreneur or small business owner may have a great idea, but will not get much interest from anyone if they cannot share their vision, persuasively pitch, and clearly explain their products and services. There are professional coaches and trainers who focus on helping people improve their business communication skills, and they need a place and an organization to meet each other.

NCCA Canada proudly partnered with YEDI (York Entrepreneurship Development Institute) and the City of Toronto to co-host a half-day professional development and networking event at Toronto City Hall where professionals from various industries learned how to develop these vital business communication skills. Jason Easton, MPP Jeff Leal’s Chief of Staff for the Small Business in Ontario portfolio gave opening remarks on the importance of honing professional communications before NCCA President, speaker extraordinaire and body language expert Mark Bowden delivered a truly memorable keynote on persuasive non-verbal communication. NCCA Executive Director Ric Phillips then led an interactive learning workshop on the art of the quick pitch. This led to lunch and mini-workshops hosted by Colleen Clarke on the topic of how networking is really “telling, not selling” and Dr. Marat Ressin on clarifying a business vision. The half-day ended with a panel discussion on the trends in the coaching and learning & development industries.

“This was a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs and small business owners to quickly learn and implement the same day specific and very useful business communication skills, and then network with other business people and communication coaches who teach these skills,” said Co-Founder and Executive Director of NCCA Canada Ric Phillips.

This event was open to everyone and received praise for it’s innovative model from coaches, trainers, vendors and entrepreneurs.

“It was invigorating. To finally be in a community of communicators, swapping stories and ideas about the work we do, and to listen to such accomplished, interesting speakers was great. Thank you for seeing the need and for building a high quality base for us” said Eleanor James, Communication Coach/Trainer.

About NCCA Canada

NCCA (National Communication Coaching Association) Canada is a nationally registered non-profit organization that acts as a home for communication skills coaches, trainers and enthusiasts, providing professional development, networking and designation opportunities for its members.  NCCA also provides communication coach/trainer and training company designation standards, peer review and official designation lists, used for professional credentialing. The primary mission of NCCA is to contribute to the growth of personal and professional communication skills, both here and abroad.

Improve Business Communication Skills at Toronto Event

Leave a reply

Professional Development and Networking Event: Key Communication Skills to Grow Your Business!

The key to successfully starting and growing a business is effective communications.  Your great idea will not get interest from anyone if you can’t share your vision, persuasively pitch your company to investors, and clearly market your products and services.

NCCA Canada is proudly partnering with YEDI and City of Toronto to co-host a half-day professional development and networking event at Toronto City Hall where you will learn how to develop these vital business communication skills. Our President, speaker extraordinaire and body language expert Mark Bowden will deliver a keynote not to be missed, which will be followed by your chance to join mini-workshops hosted by our industry professionals on the topics of pitching, networking, and clarifying your business vision.

This is an exciting and unique opportunity to meet coaches, trainers, learning and development professionals, entrepreneurs and business owners, gathering together to connect, share and learn. This event is open for everyone, but space is limited.  Please join us!

Toronto City Hall – Friday October 13th 2017, 10 – 2 pm
Cost: $20 (**free for NCCA Canada Members)

To Register with EventBrite: https://ncca2017.eventbrite.com

**Discount code will be emailed to NCCA Canada members.  If you didn’t get yours, please contact NCCA Admin and we will email it to you.  Hope to see you there!

Schedule:

In Main Chambers
10-10:45 – Welcome, Opening Remarks, Body Language Expert Mark Bowden’s keynote on how to use non-verbal communication to persuade, assist with selling and add credibility to the business individual

10:55-11:30 – Mini-Workshop 1 – The Art of the Quick Pitch

NCCA Executive Director and 3V Communication Coach Ric Phillips leads an interactive class on how to effectively pitch your business in a very short time, with or without a slide deck

In Member’s Lounge with Select Vendors

11:30-12:15 – Lunch and Networking

*Note – Member’s Lounge will be open to all for food and networking until 4 pm!

Mini-Workshops in Committee Room 3 (2nd Floor)

12:15-12:45 – Mini-Workshop 2 – Networking: It’s Telling Not Selling
Networking guru Colleen Clarke shares her top tips and formulas to make networking less painful and improve your elevator pitches – something every business person needs to help self-market better!

1-1:30 – Mini-Workshop 3 – Know Your Vision

YEDI President and successful serial entrepreneur Dr. Marat Ressin leads a dynamic seminar on understanding the importance of having a vision for the entrepreneur/coach/small business owner, and how to identify and communicate it to others. This skill is essential if you want to get buy-in, gain followers to your cause, or lead a team in business.

1:45-2:30 – Round Table – Coaching and Learning & Development Trends

Informal discussion on the coaching and learning and development industries, their trends and how they can help businesses and individuals grow. Hosted by Ric Phillips and L & D Consultant/NCCA Designated Trainer Lauren Waldman. Bring your questions!

Our half-day event is complete, but networking remains available in Committee Room 3 and the Member’s Lounge until 4 pm.

 

Register with EventBrite: https://ncca2017.eventbrite.com

Building From Bullying TEDx Talk

Leave a reply

I’d like to share Janson Chan’s TEDx Talk here.  I had the pleasure to meet Janson and work with him on his public speaking and pitching skills through my work with YEDI (York Entrepreneurship Development Institute) and LaunchYU.  Later when he was asked to speak at an Autism-focused TEDx conference, he reached out to me for additional coaching, and I was happy to help him with his talk.  Here is the video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0WcwrQ3-r0), and here’s his gracious testimonial:

“Ric understands the point of view of the audience and the speaker. He coached me to empower my stories, emotions, and passion into an effective speech to an audience of experts that has delivered results. He was able to understand my strengths and weaknesses as a speaker and tailored his approach to give me the confidence needed to perform, wherever the setting, from large events to smaller team meetings.  Working with Ric I have been able to develop from a person who was terrified of public speaking to a person who delivered an effective TED talk to researchers and advocates. Ric has demonstrated the knowledge, expertise and persistence as an effective Communication Coach for any occasion.”  Janson Chan, Executive Director of Autism Teenage Partnership (ATP), TEDx Speaker: “Building from Bullying”

The TrumpShake Saga Continues with the Comey Shake-Hug

Leave a reply

Here’s another Maclean’s video interview where I am asked about the non-verbal communication of President Trump with others, including James Comey.  It’s a quick analysis of Trump’s ‘aggressive’ off-balancing TrumpShake, his open arm and head nod gesture (including chin thrust) to James Comey, and Comey’s initial hesitations, uncomfortable hand-wringing gesture and his seemingly strong desire to not show rapport with Trump, and escape the scene ASAP.  Enjoy!