At London Speech Workshop, we believe that communication isn’t just about what we say – it’s about how we connect, listen, and respond.
That’s why we love our Lunch & Learn sessions, where our team comes together to tackle real communication challenges, share tools, and grow together.
In our most recent session, we explored:
How to make communication clearer and more engaging with the Meal Plan tool
A simple yet powerful way to structure thoughts so they are clear, compelling, and inspiring:
🥩 Meat (Objective) – What’s the key message you want to communicate? Get clear on your main point.
🥦 Vegetables (Values) – Why does it matter to you? Infuse your message with personal values to create connection.
🌶️ Spice (Unique Perspective) – What’s your personal twist? Avoid generic language—find a unique metaphor, turn of phrase, or fresh insight to make your message stand out.
Handling interruptions gracefully using the ART tool
A quick, in-the-moment strategy to stay composed and regain control of the conversation:
⚓ A – Anchor – Pause, take a breath, and ground yourself. Avoid reacting emotionally.
🤝 R – Recognize – Acknowledge the interrupter’s enthusiasm or point. For example, “That’s a great thought – thank you for sharing.”
↩️ T – Turn Back – Gently guide the conversation back to your point. “I’d love to finish my thought, and then I’d love to hear yours.” This approach keeps the interaction warm but assertive.
Navigating tough conversations with the COAST tool
A structured five-step method that helps turn difficult conversations into productive ones:
👉 C – Connect – Start with warmth and positive intent. Acknowledge the relationship before diving into the issue.
👉 O – Observe – State the facts neutrally, without judgment or exaggeration. Focus on what you’ve noticed, rather than making assumptions.
👉 A – Ask – Open up the conversation by inviting the other person’s perspective. Genuine curiosity fosters collaboration.
👉 S – Share – Express how the situation has impacted you. Using “I feel” language ensures your perspective is heard without creating defensiveness.
👉 T – Take Forward – Move toward solutions. Ask, “What can we do?” or “How can we improve this together?” to ensure progress.
The power of putting on the Empathy Hat
This simple yet transformative tool helps shift our mindset in difficult conversations. Instead of immediately advocating for our own perspective, we take a step back and consciously ‘put on’ our Empathy Hat – imagining what it feels like to be in the other person’s shoes.
Ask yourself: What values are driving their perspective? Are they feeling unheard, frustrated, or passionate? Once we acknowledge their values, before introducing our own, we create a foundation of trust and understanding. The golden rule here- Be an advocate of your own and the other person’s values.
When both perspectives are recognised, conversations become more collaborative, solutions feel fairer, and relationships strengthen.
What was our favourite takeaways from this month’s LSW Lunch & Learn was;
Great communication isn’t about being perfect – it’s about being prepared, being present, and being open.
Whether it’s handling workplace discussions, managing conflict, or even engaging in high-stakes conversations (yes, even world leaders could benefit from these tools!), the ability to stay grounded and intentional in our words makes all the difference.
Try It For Yourself
Hosting these sessions has been invaluable for our team, and the best part? Any company can do this. A Lunch & Learn is a simple but effective way to bring people together, encourage continuous learning, and foster a culture of communication excellence.
Why not try hosting your own lunch & learn sessions?
Your team can take turns to share their knowledge and expertise every month, which is a great opportunity for your team to connect and learn about parts of the business they might not always see.
Want to host an LSW style lunch & learn?
Why not contact our team and book in for a FREE lunch and learn with our team?
Start Your Communication Transformation Today
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