This post was written by Lauren St. Germain, Facilitator and Coach for The Latimer Group.
I’m desperate for spring to arrive. And so is my toddler.
Lately, she’s been restless—tired of the same activities (I never thought I’d see the day she got sick of Play-Doh), and running around our living room just doesn’t bring her the same joy as running around at the park. I know this because she asks to go to the park nearly every day.
Wanting to be remembered as a fun mom, I realized I needed to step up my game. So, I decided to bring “circle time”—a beloved ritual from her preschool—into our home.
For those unfamiliar, circle time is a common preschool practice that includes singing, reading, and movement. It’s designed to help young children develop language and communication skills, follow directions, and connect with others. But as I started researching how to recreate it, I was struck by something unexpected: the principles behind a great circle time are the same ones we teach leaders to master effective communication.
Here’s what I found:
- Keep it short and sweet → Attention spans are limited and clarity matters.
- Make it interactive → Engagement drives connection.
- Make it memorable → A lasting impact requires creativity.
- Be intentional → Every message should serve a purpose.
Sound familiar? It should—because these are the principles we teach here at The Latimer Group. Strong leadership and communication require us to capture attention, create engagement, and ensure messages are memorable.
So, the next time you’re preparing for a big presentation or leading an important meeting, take a lesson from circle time:
- Keep it concise so your audience stays with you.
- Involve your listeners so they feel connected.
- Be creative so your message resonates.
- Stay intentional so your words drive action.
Leadership isn’t just about what you say, it’s about how you say it. And if I can use these principles to hold the attention of my wiggly little girl, I promise they’ll work for you, too.
—
Does your team:
– Overwhelm the audience with too much detail?
– Make things too complicated?
– Fail to ask for what they want or need?
Does your organization:
– Waste time because of poor internal communication?
– Take too long to make decisions?
– Struggle to clarify and frame discussions?
Do your leaders:
– Exhibit poor executive presence?
– Lean on incomplete communication skills?
– Fail to align the organization?
We transform teams and individuals with repeatable toolsets for persuasive communication. Explore training, coaching, and consulting services from The Latimer Group.
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