Kamryn Reynolds Website

Kamryn Reynolds

Communication Coach

Kamryn Reynolds is a communication coach based in Tampa Bay, FL. With over 2 years of experience, Kamryn is the youngest Executive Director in BNI history. He is also the founder of Articulate Advantage, helping professionals speak with power, clarity, and confidence. Kamryn specializes in keynotes and trainings for high-end hotels and resorts, and is known for his high energy and practical frameworks. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from the University of South Florida.

Education

  • BA, Business Management, University of South Florida

Professional Achievements

  • International Speaker: US, Australia, and Argentina
  • Trained hundreds of professionals and small business owners on public speaking, communication, referral generation skills, and actionable psychology

Favorite Piece of Advice

People perceive you not at the level of your competency, but at the level at which you can communicate it.

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Forum Comments (3)

Tips for starting a conversation for socially awkward people
Conversation is a skill. You have to practice. Just like shooting a basketball, conversation takes practice. It's uncomfortable, and you have to push through that discomfort to get better. I'd say the easiest way to get better is to start by using frames.

Frames are preset conversation structures that you can steer people into. One I like is the 3-2-1 frame. When you don't know what to talk about, you can use one of the numbers: "the three most important things about this are (or the three next steps are)," "the two sides of this we need to think about are," and "the one is the most important thing we can't forget is." You can use these as questions, or if you have an idea, start with one of the numbers and fill it out yourself.

These frames help structure your thoughts and give you more fluidity to your articulation. Frames help clarify an idea and box it in so it's easy to understand. Nobody will notice you're doing it — they're too caught up in what they are going to say. It'll help tremendously, so go out and practice. You got this!
Best questions to ask to know someone better?
The right questions to ask totally depend on the person you're talking to. For example, some people would light up if you asked them about sports, but I wouldn't be able to carry that conversation. Try to read the person you're talking to and see if they give you any clues about what they like to do with the way they speak or dress.

We all, though, have a lot in common about what we like. People often love their family, especially if they're parents, they'll want to talk about their kids. Most people love talking about food, travel, or their hobbies. You might have to start with a dry question, but then once you ask them a clarifying question, they'll be able to go deeper.

After you ask a question, you must listen to the answer. That's the biggest thing. You have to take it to heart and ask a follow-up question that shows you're engaged and care about the answer.
How do you save a dry conversation?
One way to spice up a conversation is to have preset answers to common questions that surprise people. For example, "How was your day?" Most people just say, "Good." Instead, I like to say, "I'm doing absolutely incredible." Then pause. Then I say, "But don't worry, I'll get better." That causes a laugh and immediately makes conversation easier.

Another way is to try to move quickly to talking about what we're passionate about. To do that, I like to start immediately asking questions. Try asking them about their family, their hobbies, their upcoming plans, or their goals. When they tell you something, ask them a follow-up question to probe deeper. Before you know it, you'll find something they actually want to talk about, and it'll make the conversation much better.

Co-authored Articles (6)

75 Classy Ways to Tell Off Someone in Your Life

Communication coach Kamryn Reynolds teaches you how to confront someone in a classy wayWhen you tell someone off, you’re usually not concerned about being polite or classy. However, there are situations when you might ...

21 Ways to Feel More Socially Confident

Start feeling more comfortable in social situations with this guide If social events fill you with dread, you're not alone! But most people are more focused on themselves than they are on you. The reality is that even if...

How to Be a Better Conversationalist

Communication coach Kamryn Reynolds teaches you how to get better at conversation Conversation doesn't come naturally to everyone. Some of us need a little practice, and that's totally normal. Whether you’re talking wi...

How to

Talk Louder if You're Shy

People who are naturally shy or have social anxiety may have a hard time carrying on conversations with others. Even if you're able to speak in social settings, you may feel timid or have a hard time raising your voice s...

How to

Become the Centre of Attention

It is often fun to be the center of attention in a social group. People pay attention to you if you have their attention, and it's easier to have people laugh at your jokes or appreciate your stories if you're at the cen...

How to Confidently Speak Up for Yourself

Learn how to express your opinions in a group or one-on-one setting There are lots of tricks to conquer shyness and learn to speak up with self-assurance. If you feel held back by a lack of confidence, don’t worry! Ta...