Table of Contents

Part One: Preparing for Effective Communication …………….. 7

1. The Big Brain and the Little Brain …………………………………………. 9
2. Why Moments Matter ………………………………………………………….. 12
3. Moments Create Legacies—Good or Bad ……………………………….. 17
4. The Circle of Influences ……………………………………………………….. 22
5. Under the Influences …………………………………………………………… 28
6. The Biggest Influence on You Is You …………………………………….. 32

Part Two: Encountering the Moment ……………………………… 43

7. An Encounter—the Opening Act …………………………………………… 45
8. Big Brain and Little Brain in the Moment …………………………….. 49
9. Every Conversation Is an Opportunity …………………………………. 54
10. The Paradox of Communication Tools ………………………………….. 61
11. Managing Multiple Moments—the Social Media Effect …………… 67
12. Attack of the Little Brain—What You Can Do ………………………… 73
13. Big Brain and Little Brain—the Perpetual Race ……………………… 77
14. Finishing the Encounter …………………………………………………….. 80
15. What Legacies Are You Creating? ……………………………………….. 83

Part Three: Recognizing the Opportunities in the Moment … 87

16. Awareness ………………………………………………………………………….. 89
17. Tone ………………………………………………………………………………….. 96
18. Words ……………………………………………………………………………….. 104
19. Control ………………………………………………………………………………. 112
20. Time ………………………………………………………………………………….. 119
21. Responsibility ……………………………………………………………………. 126
22. Power ……………………………………………………………………………….. 132
23. Your Legacy Bank and Baggage …………………………………………… 138

Part Four: Applying the Seven Principles of Big Brain Communication …. 143

24. The First Principle: Stay Aware of the Legacy of the Moment ……………………….. 145
25. The Second Principle: Keep Your Big Brain in Control …………………………………. 149
26. The Third Principle: Choose the Correct Tone ……………………………………………… 152
27. The Fourth Principle: Choose the Correct Words …………………………………………. 156
28. The Fifth Principle: Choose the Right Time …………………………………………………. 160
29. The Sixth Principle: Accept Responsibility ………………………………………………….. 166
30. The Seventh Principle: Use Power Wisely ……………………………………………………. 169

Afterword ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 173
Index ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 175
About the Author ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 183