CHEAT SHEET - PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION - GUIDINEE.COM
The key methods to keep at hand during the 30-day challenge.

=== FUNDAMENTALS ===
Model: Sender -> Message -> Channel -> Receiver -> FEEDBACK
What matters: what is UNDERSTOOD, not what is said.
3 channels: verbal (words) + para-verbal (tone) + nonverbal (body) -> ALIGN them.
In case of contradiction, people believe the nonverbal.

ACTIVE LISTENING: listen to understand, not to reply.
  -> Rephrase ("if I understand...") + open questions + silence.
ADAPT: start from the other person. Leadership = impact; technical = precision; client = reassurance.

=== EMAILS & MESSAGES ===
Effective email: REQUEST first (inverted pyramid), context after.
  -> Short paragraphs, bullets, bold deadline, 1 email = 1 topic.
  -> Clear call to action: who does what, by when.
SUBJECT: precise + action/deadline ("Approve quote X - by Thursday").
"To" = must act; "Cc" = informed. "Reply all": only if everyone is concerned.
CAPS = shouting. Cc visible / Bcc hidden.
Messaging: short and fast. Otherwise -> call (complex/sensitive) or email (record).

=== PROFESSIONAL WRITING ===
READABILITY: short sentences + simple words + active voice. 1 idea/sentence.
  -> Verbs rather than nouns ("analyze" > "perform an analysis").
MINUTES: decisions + actions (WHO/WHAT/WHEN) + open points. 1 page, within 24h.
MEMO / REPORT / SUMMARY: key message and recommendation FIRST (BLUF).
PROOFREADING: with distance + aloud + targeted passes (agreement, homophones). Spell-checker = aid, not judge.

=== ORAL COMMUNICATION ===
PREPARE: objective + audience -> 1 key message -> hook / development / conclusion.
STAGE FRIGHT: preparation + belly breathing. Slow the pace. Use SILENCES.
BODY: grounding (feet, straight back) + circulating eye contact + natural gestures. Zero nervous gestures.
SLIDES: it's YOU who presents. 1 idea/slide, visuals, look at the audience.
QUESTIONS: listen fully, rephrase, facts, "I don't know, I'll get back to you".

=== INTERPERSONAL ===
ASSERTIVENESS: speak up with respect (neither passive nor aggressive). Speak in "I". Know how to say no.
FEEDBACK - DESC method:
  D escribe the fact | E xpress the feeling (I) | S pecify the request | C onsequences (positive).
  Receiving: listen, don't justify yourself, say thanks, clarify, decide.
NVC - OFNR method:
  Observation (facts) | Feeling | Need | Request (concrete, negotiable).
DISAGREEMENT: address the problem, not the person. Look for INTERESTS -> win-win.
PERSUASION: thesis + arguments (strong at start AND end) + evidence.
  6 Cialdini levers: reciprocity, consistency, social proof, authority, liking, scarcity.
  Red line = INTEGRITY (influence yes, manipulate never).

=== WORK SITUATIONS ===
USEFUL MEETING: objective + agenda + timing + decision log.
  Before organizing one: is it necessary (or would an email do)?
HYBRID/VIDEO: camera, managed floor time, EQUITY present/remote. Clear asynchronous writing.
CROSS-CULTURAL: humility + curiosity. Observe before judging. Avoid ethnocentrism.
STORYTELLING: situation -> obstacle -> resolution -> message. A story is remembered.
HIGH-STAKES TALK: practice (rehearse) + authenticity. Focus on the audience, not yourself.

REMINDERS
- Listen first; speak after.
- What matters is what is understood.
- Communication isn't read: it's practiced.