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Master Virtual Meeting Moderation: 8 Proven Techniques for Success
The role of moderator in a virtual setting includes many distinct responsibilities. This post describes these and covers 8 strategies for moderating in a virtual setting.

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
May 303 min read
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How do you deal with difficult audience members? With positivity and respect.
Maintaining composure and positivity and demonstrating respect go a long way in handling every type of difficult audience situation. This post explores how to deal with different types.

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
May 166 min read
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Want an attentive and engaged audience? Be fully present.
This post shares an excerpt from Communicating Nutrition: The Authoritative Guide about audience management and the importance of being fully present.

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
May 93 min read
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How do you answer hostile or controversial questions effectively? With calm confidence.
This post describes how to respond to hostile or controversial questions. A hostile question is characterized by the intent in which it is posed rather than the content of the question being asked. A controversial question is related to a topic that is surrounded by intense public disagreement. When questioners are hostile, our natural response will be to feel defensive. However, for the communicator to demonstrate hostility in any way will be counterproductive. Instead, be c

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
May 24 min read
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How do you answer difficult questions effectively? You upgrade them!
This post describes how to respond to a variety of difficult questions. It focuses on three common types of difficult questions and solutions for handling them well.

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Apr 254 min read
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How do you answer “stupid” questions effectively? Don’t call them stupid!
This post describes how to respond to questions that are often labeled “stupid.” It shares an excerpt from Chapter 36, updated to reflect answering questions in person, virtually, and in writing, such as on social media or responding to comments online.

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Apr 184 min read
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How do you answer questions effectively when you don’t know the answer?
This is the question everyone dreads. Nutrition communicators will never know the answer to every question, but they should know how to answer most questions related to the content within the presentation or article the communicator is being asked about. Preparing ahead of time and anticipating potential questions should eliminate the potential for having to say “I don’t know” very often. In this post, we will explore how to effectively respond to questions when we don’t know

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Apr 114 min read
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How do you answer questions effectively? With 6 smart steps.
No matter the way a question comes to us, answering effectively is best accomplished by following six smart steps.

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Apr 45 min read
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What qualities and skills are needed to be an effective communicator?
Effective communication requires the communicator to possess a mixture of personal qualities and skills. Qualities and skills to be learned.

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Jan 103 min read
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Is your communication CLEAR? Yes. When we leverage visual aids.
Communicators benefit from using visual aids because information is conveyed more efficiently and effectively than with words alone. Visual

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
May 17, 20243 min read
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Why stay in Toastmasters? To continue growing your skills and encouraging others.
Why am I still in Toastmasters, more than two decades after joining? Because I continue to learn and hone my public speaking and...

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Mar 1, 20241 min read
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How does Toastmasters build better communicators and leaders beyond the club?
The heart of Toastmasters is the local club but that is not the only way Toastmasters builds better communicators and leaders....

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Feb 23, 20242 min read
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How does Toastmasters help you speak on your feet? Table Topics!
How good are you at speaking on your feet? Do you easily get tongue-tied or can you express your ideas clearly and succinctly? Would you...

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Feb 9, 20243 min read
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How do Toastmasters help each other grow? Through mentoring and evaluation.
One might think that everyone joins Toastmasters to become a better speaker, but not always. The reason I joined Toastmasters was to...

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Feb 2, 20243 min read
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How does Toastmasters help you grow? Through educational pathways.
Are you looking to grow as a communicator and leader? Do you want to build your knowledge, put that learning into practice, and get...

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Jan 26, 20242 min read
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What happens at a Toastmasters meeting? Visit a club to find out!
Are you interested in becoming a better communicator and leader? Then, learning more about Toastmasters is a wise decision. Toastmasters...

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Jan 19, 20243 min read
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Where can you go to become a better communicator and leader? Toastmasters!
Have you ever heard of Toastmasters? Have you ever visited or participated in a club? Are you curious about what Toastmasters is and how...

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Jan 12, 20242 min read
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Would you like to become a better communicator and leader? You can!
As nutrition professionals, consumers come to us seeking help to improve their lives through practicing better nutrition. We provide them...

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Jan 5, 20242 min read
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Want effective audience engagement without technology? Try mini whiteboards.
Audience engagement is essential for effective communication, especially in presentations. As described in Chapter 20 of Communicating...

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Dec 8, 20232 min read
56 views
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3 Steps to Jump-Start Your Journey to Communication Excellence
Honestly answer this question: How often do you “communicate nutrition” in your current work setting? Is it… Daily? Weekly? Monthly?...

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Nov 17, 20233 min read
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