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4 Lessons Learned From Yesterday’s TV Experience

By March 6, 2013 28 Comments

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Yesterday I was on TV.

I know, old school, huh?

You can click on the image below to watch the clip. Pardon the ad.

I feel grateful that the lovely Emily Kate Warren gave me hair & makeup stylin’ that I felt like “me” in, and I’m also grateful that the interview went well.

Since many of you are thinking about how you might share your voice in the media, now or in the future, I want to share a few behind the scenes stories & lessons learned yesterday.

Lesson #1: In the end, you no matter how much it seems true that you have nothing to wear, you always really do have something to wear. And it won’t be the new thing you bought in a last minute panic yesterday. It will be the old thing you are comfy in.

Lesson #2: You have no idea how the interview is going. So don’t assess. Just keep going.

Lesson #3: What is true everywhere else in life is true in the tv studio: you need to speak up for yourself. When I got to the show, I saw that there was something in the segment outline – a certain way of framing my work -that I felt uncomfortable with. I spoke up and asked the producers to change it – and they did. For time #10,001, I was reminded that asking for what you want is essential, and that it is really okay to do.

Lesson #4: Get out of your ‘hood every once and a while. Mainstream media feels somewhat, well, uncomfortable to me. The artist/thinker/poet/ in me positively freaks at the idea of a fast-paced, three minute segment that comes between the weather and the report of a car crash. And yet I have a deep sense that it is important to keep showing up for mainstream media conversations, and I want brilliant women like all of you to show up for them too. I want to see you on there as talking heads, sharing your wisdom and your revolutionary ideas.

Okay, that’s it. The clip and my lessons learned. Thanks for reading.

Oh wait – one more thing! LAST CALL to get on the early bird list for discounts for my Playing Big program. If you are interested in the program and want more details or access to special discounts, jump on the list now. Early bird registration opens next week! Yup! Next week!

Love ya,

Tara

Join the discussion 28 Comments

  • Marcia says:

    Tara, I never would have thought that tv interviews were out of your comfort zone based on the calm and cool energy on the clip. Love the tips and can relate from past job interviews, performance reviews, etc. Great outfit choice, the color compliments your skin tone (hope you kept the receipt for the last minute purchase!). Glad you went with your gut and told the producers what you werent comfortable with. Thank you for stepping out of your comfort zone to be a leading example of doing things that make us gasp!

  • Kate says:

    Wow! Great interview and I love your warm, polished, kind, professional energy. Love your idea about making the shift from nice to respected. I’m going to hold onto that one!

  • Maria says:

    Thank you tara for the “Just” trick – it’s so true! 🙂 I’ll remember it from now on

  • Cristeen says:

    #4 WAS important, at least in a small way…I first learned of you on that segment. Thanks.

  • julie says:

    BRILLIANT!!!!! I thought your delivery was clear, concise and relaxed. Your choice of clothing was spot on. Thank you for sharing such useful information 🙂

    Jul

  • Mary says:

    Excellent advice! Spot on! I cringed when I recognized myself in all your examples (using “just” too much, asking for “a minute” etc.). What I have found in my career is that despite using these self-diminishing phrases, I was STILL perceived as a pushy, overbearing b–tch. Possibly because I followed up my “just”s with an unrelenting “repetition of unpallatable truths” (how Edith Summerskill defines “nagging”)
    SO, next time, I’ll cut out the “just”s and get straight to the truth and learn to get comfortable with my inner b_tch. It will save time (and my self-esteem)!
    ; – )

  • Danielle says:

    Hi Tara,
    I’ve been getting (and enjoying) your newsletter for a while now, and while I thought I could gleam something from your interview, I am happy to say it was a definite ‘aha’ type moment for me. Not only were you presenting important info, but you were acting upon it yourself. There were moments in it when you could have ‘just’ backed away from your message, but you maintained your position in a warm, professional, and well-respected manner. It was impressive. Nice work!

  • Catherine says:

    Well Done!!

    You are centred and have lovely presence.

    Re: Lesson #4 In ancient times we would have gathered in community, perhaps around a fire and shared our stories and listened to the wisdom of our elders. Whether we like it or not, Mainstream Media and Social Media is where our communities gather now. So if we can embrace them and regard them as an exquisite medium where we can share our wisdom with our world wide community they become a beautiful platform for changing consciousness.

    So as a former television executive who now works as a shaman, living in Ireland and yet part of a global community, I wish you a wonderful day, and bless the incredible work that you are doing.

    Catherine x

  • Danielle says:

    Tara, this was so great! Yes, we need to be talking about these important issues in mainstream media. I can’t wait to share this with my students and friends.

  • Charmaine says:

    You did a terrific job on TV yesterday! It was actually the first I’ve heard of you and now I am a follower, a fan, and a student. I don’t know how long it would have taken me to come across your work had I not turned to channel 5 for the weather report 😉 but I am really glad I did!

  • Excellent clip. Well done! Two observations:

    –At the very end, one of the newscasters cited your web address incorrectly, saying it’s “tara dash mohr.com” I knew what your web address was, but tried this new incarnation just in case. It does not work. Don’t know if this will make any difference, but thought you’d like to know.

    –Another “weakening” speech habit I’ve noticed a lot of US women have is to preface their remarks with, “Let me…” EG, Let me just go get a cup of tea before we start the meeting.” This sounds awfully like some kind of implicit need to get permission from the other party or parties before taking action. I wonder what the frequency of this speech pattern is among males.

  • Jen says:

    I am echoing Danielle’s appreciation for the way in which you model your work and wisdom. Please continue doing main stream TV interviews & thank you for the encouragement to do the same.

  • Tammy says:

    Tara,

    Nicely done interview! In my opinion, you really had your work cut out for you because the energy from the news staff seemed a little awkward and hyper, particularly the guy who kept asking you questions. Frankly, he seemed more interested in punching holes in your comments than really absorbing what you were sharing. I LOVED how you remained so calm and on-message, because I think the group dynamics could have easily derailed a less polished presenter. Great job!

  • Molly says:

    Awesome! Such good points and so true…
    Job well done.

  • KSW says:

    Excellent segment. Thanks for sharing. Your work makes such a difference, Tara.

  • Awesome Job Tara! Keep spreading the word! xoxoi

  • Leah says:

    You were brilliant! (Are).

    Thanks for getting yourself out there. Absolutely graceful, clear, and in such a quick paced venue. Bravo!

  • Genevieve says:

    You were great, Tara. Well spoken, and you navigated that “other world” marvelously.;)Keep putting it out there —women need to find you.

  • mary rawles says:

    You were awesome, inspirational, and a strong role model for your message. Thank you
    Mary

  • No matter how many times I listen to that, I positively just cringe on the inside with conviction. It’s like I’m hearing for the FIRST time.

  • danielle lussier says:

    So good Tara! Really loved the information

  • Well done, Tara! Fantastic job on the interview, how amazing to spreading your wonderful message to new places.

  • Wonderful feedback, Tara. Thank you. It is powerful that you share — EVEN YOU may hesitate in asking for things to be as they should. Your words will empower many of us to do the same!

  • Love the line about “you won’t wear what you bought in a panic!” That is so me, I can’t even tell you. This has happened so many times to me with reunions and weddings and even holiday parties. I buy something in a panic and 9 times out of 10 wear the old thing that is comfortable!

    Congrats!

  • Just listened to the segment. Really love encouraging us to focus on being “respected” in the workplace versus “liked.” Thank you for the distinction.

  • Lauran says:

    Great job, Tara. You really practice what you preach. Although you aren’t “preachy” at all!

  • D.D. says:

    Catherine – thank you for sharing this: “So if we can embrace them and regard them as an exquisite medium where we can share our wisdom with our world wide community they become a beautiful platform for changing consciousness.” Beautifully said!

  • Sherold Barr says:

    Tara – you are doing such a great job leading and being a role model for all of us women in playing big. I love that you share how you are playing big – modeling this for us. Bravo – you are so articulate, poised and oh so wise.

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