Takeaways from the Dynamic Communicators Workshops

“You have moved me.” -Ken Davis

The very last morning of the Dynamic Communicators Workshops, DCW founder Ken Davis reminded us of the commitments we made and shared some insights for continuing the work we began at this conference.

A week later, as life has gotten busy and I’m thinking less about the importance of dynamic communication, I find myself reflecting on his words.

Ken shared three tips (people at DCW like the number three, apparently) for continued growth after the workshops:

Keep working the process

At DCW, we learned the SCORRE Method, a very specific way to prepare and deliver a speech. What we learned and practiced, though, was just the beginning. They were the fundamentals of dynamic communication. Now, it’s time to practice, practice, practice.

“Don’t worry if it’s not perfect,” Ken assured us. The point is not perfection; the point is improvement. If we continue to develop the skills and methods we’ve learned, we will eventually become those dynamic communicators we long to be.

Fortunately, since the importance of objective was drilled so strongly into us during DCW, it will be nearly impossible to prepare any kind of message without thinking ahead of time: “What is it I want to accomplish?”

So many of us saw personal communication breakthroughs at DCW. Now it’s time to stay faithful to the process.

Make it delightful

As part of the SCORRE Method, we learned how to develop an objective statement for our talk — a focused sentence about what our speech will accomplish.

The problem is, much like learning and practicing the fundamentals of music, this exercise doesn’t sound too pretty. It’s mechanical and stiff.

“Have the ‘ugly sentence’ in your mind, but don’t speak that,” Ken said. Just because you learn how to play scales on a piano doesn’t mean that’s what you play at a recital; instead, you use those fundamentals to help you grow in your creativity. Same goes for speaking.

It’s up to us now. No coaches nor peer groups to evaluate us anymore.

This is where the art of communication comes in — we must share our messages both with intentionality and beauty.

Find someone who will walk with you

The communal aspect of these workshops was essential to the effectiveness of the program — to overcoming our fears and anxieties and growing in our communication skills.

We didn’t do DCW alone, and therefore, we can’t do this next stage of our journey alone. When we are not in community, we are in the “dark.” And it is in the dark, Ken reminded us, where we are deceived.

When you experience something as monumental as this conference, it’s important to let others know what you’ve gone through, to inspire them to join you in this journey.

It’s only been a week, but I’ve already passed on the lessons I’ve learned from DCW to over 20 people in face-to-face conversations.

It changed how I approach communication in any form, especially spoken. I intend to continue working the process, making it delightful, and finding others to encourage me in this new-found method of communicating.

Thanks, Ken, and the DCW team for an unforgettable experience!

For those who have attended a DCW in the past, what were some of your takeaways?

Share your thoughts here.

~Jeff Goins (DCW student, 2011)

Interested in DCW? Read about the benefits and how it will transform your public speaking. Sign up for the next conference now and receive a discount!

Use the promotional code DCW11 by May 14 to receive an additional $200 off (plus the $100 “early bird” discount)! Register here…