M=EC^3 (Weight of Words Pt. 3)

An Apology friend, I messed up.

For the first time since starting this email, I missed a Tuesday. Sure, “it’s only an email” but maintaining your word, not to mention consistency, is crucial, even in the smallest of things.

So shoutout to the friend who was kind enough to check in and see where the email was.

No excuses. I messed up. Super sorry.

Well, friend, I still hope you had an amazing week!!

I spent this past weekend at a leadership retreat in Colorado Springs where we talked all things CHANGE and what the next 50 years need to look like if we want to see freedom like we once knew it in America. LOT'S to do. But it's so exciting and I couldn't be more grateful to be alive TODAY.

M=EC^3 ... A Thought Ok, we're doing a part 3! I've included Part 1 here, and Part 2 here.

The last two emails were me verbally processing inputs (words received), and this one I'm starting to process output (words given or spoken by us).

On Monday, I had the privilege of sharing a short bit on persuasion with the Band of Creatives (talk about a stretching experience!!). I didn't share it as succinctly as I might have liked, but some key points are worth sharing here to kick off these thoughts.

This will be short, and I'll expand on the website (to spare your inbox). I'll make sure to email once it's been updated.

In marketing, we have a gazillion tools and techniques we use to reach people effectively, one of which is the M=EC^3 framework.

It states that an [effective]Message=Emotion+(Contrast, Connection, Credibility).

We're going to talk about Emotion and Connection here.

EMOTION: This is a touchy topic for some reason. But let's cut to the chase:

We ARE emotional beings

We ALL have emotions

Those emotions can get pretty real at times.

Before engaging in an effective conversation, it is ESSENTIAL to understand both how your audience (whoever you're conversing with) is CURRENTLY feeling, as well as how you hope or want them to feel AFTER the conversation (or reading the message) is over.

Similar to dealing with problems, it's super helpful to identify and label the emotions for what they are. Sure, some of them might need to change and maybe aren't healthy... but if they're current, label them as they are.

This is our attempt to connect with our audience. To meet them where they are. It also helps us understand how to craft a message that they resonate with.

OUR WORDS WILL IMPACT THEIR EMOTIONS. Be intentional with the words you speak. They're powerful.

Last note on emotions: They will either work for you, or against you. Nurturing the wrong emotions in someone will build a wall that you won't want to try to break through. Listening and asking heartfelt, genuine questions is (imho) the single best way to discover someone's current emotions and find the best way to connect.

Next is CONNECTION.

This is more about them connecting with us. It's what causes them to listen to what we have to say.

This can look like sharing the significance of the topic, or perhaps recounting something important to THEM and explaining the connection in what you have to share.

There are a TON of ways to do this super well. We're just taking the 30,000-foot view right now.

However this practically looks for you, I think it's vital that we consider "Is what I'm saying right now something that this person can connect with (or further, of value to them)?"

I'm working on (definitely not there yet) increasing the value of every conversation I have. I hope that when I talk with someone, they thoroughly enjoy the conversation and walk away thinking deeper about something (even if it's the simplest of things).

After all, the root of all progress is ideas. So let's get people thinking, yeah?

Out-of-context messaging is one of the biggest killers in marketing.

Selling a baby stroller to a 22-year-old bachelor who does not need it will waste your money faster than just lighting it on fire.

The same is true for relationships. Is what we're sharing of value to them? Is it something they can connect with? Is it shared in a way that is easy for them to understand and connect with?

NOTE: in terms of regular, day-to-day convos, it could be easy to overthink this and get stiff, thinking everything has to be HIGH VALUE and perfectly said. It doesn't. Just live. Be you. Be authentic. And in the course of being authentically you, strive to communicate in a way that helps people connect more with what you have to say. Have fun with it.

Ultimately, the words we say have huge impacts. They build people up. They tear people down. Let's be super intentional with our words, and find at least one way this next week where we can slow down and focus on communicating more effectively. It could be a family member, a colleague, a friend.

If you're curious about learning more communication techniques, or would like to check out the workshop from this past Monday, you can subscribe to the BOC newsletter here and we'll email once everything is uploaded to the site.

This is an ongoing lesson for me - I have SO MUCH to learn. And that's where I get excited. This is a journey, and while I mess up plenty, that only gives me MORE opportunity to grow. YESSS.

The ability to learn and to grow is such a gift. Embrace it and thank the Lord for such a blessing.