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Rick Saldan is an excellent inspirational speaker who tailored the seminar to the needs of the individual students being instructed. This office thanks the Mayors Office of Information Services for having such a vendor.

 

Timothy K. Lynch

Office of Fleet Management

City of Philadelphia

 

 

Rick has a magical approach that provides a clear and concise message specifically designed to the needs of his audience. Rick will provide all the motivational magic you will ever need, propelling your organization to the next level of greater success.

 

Thomas Mulhern

Frontier Communications

 

 

Rick Saldan is a compelling and absorbing motivational speaker and magician.  I have been to five of his Motivational Magic presentations and it is amazing how he keeps our college audiences on the edge of their seats. A highly entertaining performer with great comedy flair. Rich content to increase students' productivity, peak performance and motivation. If you need an outstanding motivational speaker for colleges, Rick is definitely one of the world's greatest speakers and magicians!


Dr. Rob Gilbert, Sport Psychologist,

Montclair State University

 

 

Rick Saldan has the wit, wisdom and sorcery of a wizard. He has a dynamic personality, and all will enjoy his captivating stories, comedy and magic!

Dennis Slaughter
Credit Suisse First Boston

 

 

Rick Saldan delivers a first-class show! A pro in every sense of the word. Funny, unique, entertaining and polished.

Brian Letscher, Actor

Hawaii Five-O, NCIS, Cold Case, Law & Order and The Mentalist.

 

 

Rick Saldan is a wonderful combination of master magician, comic improviser and first class speaker. The audience loved his program, which was music to our ears. If you love celebrity motivational speakers such as Tom Hopkins, Dale Carnegie and Zig Ziglar, then you'll love Rick!

Dottie Burman, President
Burtley Productions, Inc.

 

Rick Saldan is an incredibly talented performer and motivational speaker with great insight. He shares many powerful motivational messages that will enhance your life for the better!

Jack Murray, President
Dream Illusions

 

Rick is one of the best inspirational speakers on the scene today. Funny, fun loving and highly energetic. If you want to make your next event into an extraordinary one, then invite professional speaker  Rick Saldan and his amazing  Motivational Magic.

 

Andres Lara, President

Inspiration Times Magazine

 
 

Clarify Misunderstandings with a "Reality "Check"
Author: Jan Pedersen

As a communicating creature, you can bet your life on the possibility that misunderstanding is the rule, not the exception.

We communicate with words and voice tone, as well as all sorts of non-verbals like time, space and body language--all of which are imprecise in conveying our unique felt experiences.

A word, a gesture, a tone of voice can mean anything. Unfortunately, being survival-oriented beasties, we humans tend to interpret those words, gestures and tones personally--looking first to our immediate survival and predicting the worst.

Here's an example.

You're pitching an idea to somebody. As you are speaking, you notice that they are tapping a pencil on their desk and repeatedly looking at their watch.

How would you interpret these non-verbals? What would you do?

Most people will answer by saying the other person is rude, busy or impatient. Many people would react to this situation by speaking faster; many others by apologizing. Either reaction presumes that the way you are interpreting these non-verbals is the way the sender is intending them--in other words, you are making it mean they are rude and impatient, then acting as if that interpretation is true.

My question to you is this: How do you know that THEY mean what YOU think they mean?

Short answer: You don't. What to do? Check it out.

To abort a misunderstanding in progress, this is the best formula I've found. I call it a Reality Check. There are three parts:

1. Verbalize the non-verbals. In other words, describe objectively what is going on. Like this:

"I notice you are fidgeting with that pencil and looking at your watch."

2. Tell them how you are interpreting their behavior.

"I'm guessing that means you are pressed for time and unable to give me your full attention right now."

3. Ask them for verification or clarification.

"Am I reading you right?" or "Is that what you mean?"

If you use this formula, make sure that your tone of voice is neutral, curious, wondering. Give them the opportunity to explain their intentions. Be willing to be wrong.

An added use for this kind of formula is to ward off potential conflict by confronting an issue early. For example:

"I noticed you were five minutes late for this meeting. I take that to mean you were unaware we would be starting on time. Am I right?"

"I have asked you three times to pick up your toys and I notice they are still on the floor. I'm assuming that means you prefer to give up television tonight. Am I right?"

Play around with this one. It will help you avoid powerless "why did you..." questions that produce no result but defensiveness and counterattack.








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Speaker, trainer and author Jan Pedersen offers keynote speeches, training seminars and workshops to organizations who want to improve interpersonal effectiveness, reduce or eliminate conflict and increase results. Visit her website www.communicate4results.com or subscribe to the monthly newsletter "Communication Insights" by emailing subscribe@communicate4results.com

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