Knowing how people communicate and how to mirror that during a conversation can be the difference between getting a good contract and getting a nod toward the door.  That’s one of the things I learned from LaVonn Steiner, president of Excel Leadership, Inc. in Bismarck, North Dakota. 

This leadership tool was especially helpful for me.  I tend to be soft-spoken and detail-oriented.  Until Steiner taught me to mirror others, I didn’t understand that some people thought I had no ambition or couldn’t see the big picture.

Steiner runs a private and helpful business.  Over the course of an individually-tailored series of executive coaching sessions, she asks questions designed to get clients thinking, shows them how other people view them, and helps them find ways to meet their goals over a broad spectrum of business topics.

These sessions are often held at neutral locations where clients don’t feel pressure from co-workers.  In my case, we met mostly at the Heritage Center on the capitol grounds in Bismarck—a place I love and was already familiar with.

During our conversations, I learned that Steiner travels the world with her public speaking and training work.  One of those trips was to New Zealand, where she met Robyn Pearce.  Together, the two developed a practical book called Getting a Grip on Leadership.  I’ve referred to it more than once in previous writing adventures.

Believe it or not, one of the most practical and useful things Steiner taught me was how to use Outlook Express.  I don’t think any task is too big or small for her.  She’s one of those inherently dynamic people that can take on the world without batting an eye.  Good things happen for everyone when she does.