In this episode of People Play Story, we delve into the art of authentic communication. Host Martin Kloss, a professional story coach and speaker trainer, explores how impactful communication begins long before stepping onto a stage. It's about aligning your core self with how you're perceived, focusing on who you are rather than just what you say.
Martin introduces his framework of values, role, and attitude—"Werta, Rolle, Haltung" in German. He explains how deeply held values serve as an internal compass, guiding decisions and actions to ensure authenticity in communication. Through examples, such as individuals reconnecting with their core values over time, Martin illustrates how values become foundational to genuine expression.
The discussion then shifts to the concept of "role," highlighting the different hats we wear in various situations. Martin uses public figures like Angela Merkel and Donald Trump to demonstrate how values influence the embodiment of roles, impacting authenticity.
Finally, the episode explores "Haltung" or attitude, emphasizing the importance of aligning internal states with external expressions. Martin shares practical tips for embodying authentic communication, such as clarifying values, mapping roles, and visualizing the desired attitude.
Listeners are encouraged to bring intentionality and authenticity to all interactions, whether in professional settings or personal conversations. By aligning values, roles, and attitudes, communicators can connect on a deeper level and inspire change. Martin concludes with a call to action for listeners to reflect on their own communication alignment and embrace their true selves.
[00:00:08]
Martin Kloss:
Hi, and welcome to People Play Story, a podcast about storytelling and how to communicate with impact. My name is Martin Kloss, and I'm a professional story coach and speaker trainer. I recently wrote a book. It's called People Play Story, but it's only available in German for now. So to help me reach a wider audience and spread the word about the power of stories, I created this podcast. Full disclosure, what you're about to hear is generated by an AI, courtesy of Google's notebook LM. And each episode is based on a different chapter of my book. I hope you enjoy it and that I can give you something to think about today. Have fun.
[00:00:53] Unknown:
Okay. So today, we're diving into authentic communication.
[00:00:57] Unknown:
Ever notice how some speakers just have that certain something? They can hold a room, make you feel things, really connect. And it's not always about fancy slides or perfectly timed jokes. It's a certain presence. Exactly. Today, we're diving into the idea that impactful communication, it starts way before you even hit that stage. It's about your core self and how that translates to how you're perceived. It's about who you are, not just what you say. Right. And we're exploring that through the work of communication expert Martin Kloss. Specifically, his idea of values, role, attitude, or as he puts it in the original German, Werta role, haltum.
Definitely has a more, I don't know, impactful sound in German, doesn't it? Right. So this framework, it's about those three elements working in harmony. But let's break it down. Let's start with Werther values. What are we talking about here? Think of it like this, your deeply held beliefs.
[00:01:50] Unknown:
The things you hold dear that act as your internal compass. And it's not just what sounds good for a company mission statement or something. Right? It's about what truly guides your decisions,
[00:02:01] Unknown:
your actions. Walk the walk, not just talks the talk. Exactly.
[00:02:06] Unknown:
And Klaus gives us a great example. Someone raised Catholics. Right? They might question those beliefs when they're younger, but then later in life, they find themselves drawn back to those core values. It's like those values, they're tested. They go through the ringer. They come out even stronger. Exactly. They become even more foundational. Because when you think about it, those deeply held values, whether it's faith, family, personal experience, that's what gives your communication authenticity. That's the bedrock.
[00:02:33] Unknown:
So it's those values, they become this filter for everything you do, everything you say. Like a lens. Yeah. So how does this then play into the role part, the role?
[00:02:42] Unknown:
This is where it gets really interesting because role, that's about the different hats we wear. Right? The different positions we hold depending on the situation. Think about how you communicate with your friends versus, say, as a team leader at work.
[00:02:56] Unknown:
2 completely different roles. Totally. You're not gonna be cracking the same jokes with your boss as you would with your buddies. Exactly. Uh-huh. And Klaus, to illustrate this, he talks about Angela Merkel as chancellor
[00:03:07] Unknown:
versus, say, Donald Trump as president. Now that is an interesting comparison. Right. Both incredibly powerful leaders, similar systems, but vastly different approaches to how they embody those roles. And that likely comes down to, you guessed it, their values.
[00:03:22] Unknown:
And it's interesting how you can just tell sometimes. Right? You see these public figures, and you can almost feel whether they're living their values or just, you know, playing a part. Just that authenticity factor. Exactly. And that seems to tie directly into that third element of Kloss' framework, Holthum or attitude. That's a big one. So we've got our values, the guiding principles. We've got the roles we play, the different hats we wear. How does Holztung fit into all of this? Think of Holztung as the energy you project,
[00:03:54] Unknown:
both physically and how you approach things mentally.
[00:03:57] Unknown:
It's how you carry yourself, the vibe you give off. It's about aligning your internal state with your external expression. Does that make sense? So it's not just what you're saying, but how you're saying. Like, you could give the most amazing inspiring speech, but if your body language is screaming bored out of my mind, it's not gonna have the same impact.
[00:04:14] Unknown:
Exactly. And Klause illustrates this really well. He gives the example of a CEO, right, praising their employees. But while they're saying all the right things, their body language is condescending. Actions speak louder than words, as they say. A 100%. But how do we actually put this into practice? How do we make sure our whole tongue is the real deal, not just some kind of act we're putting on? A $1,000,000 question. Right. Well, luckily, Close provides some really practical tips. He suggests, 1st and foremost, get really clear on your values. Take some time, maybe grab a pen and paper, and ask yourself, what are my nonnegotiables?
[00:04:50] Unknown:
What truly matters to me, especially in how I communicate with others? So for instance, if one of my core values is honesty, I need to make sure that my communication style reflects that. No more beating around the bush or sugarcoating things,
[00:05:02] Unknown:
just straight talk. Exactly. Honesty in action. And then once you have a handle on your values, close says to map out your roles. Think about all the different hats you wear, parent, friend, colleague, mentor.
[00:05:15] Unknown:
How do those roles intersect, and how can understanding those dynamics, how can that help you communicate more effectively? This makes me think about how sometimes, you know, we might accidentally bring the wrong halt home to a situation. Like, if I'm super direct at work because I value efficiency,
[00:05:31] Unknown:
but then I use that same bluntness with my partner, probably not gonna go over well. You're picking up what I'm putting down. It's about being mindful of the context. Right. And then finally, Close talks about visualizing the whole tone you want to embody, like an actor getting into character. What kind of energy do you wanna bring to this interaction? What kind of presence do you wanna project? I love that, the visualization
[00:05:51] Unknown:
aspect. And Close gives a really cool example in the text. He mentions the saying, the captain is the last one to leave the ship. I mean, that statement alone, it just evokes a certain, doesn't it? Responsibility,
[00:06:04] Unknown:
leadership, this unwavering commitment. It's a powerful image, isn't it? And it highlights that haltomes is about so much more than just our words. It's about embodying our values, stepping into our roles with intention, projecting an attitude that truly aligns with who we are at our core.
[00:06:21] Unknown:
It's like finding that sweet spot where, you know, your inner compass and your outer expression are totally aligned. And when you hit that, you just radiate authenticity.
[00:06:29] Unknown:
Right. You said it. And that's what makes this framework so powerful. It's a really concrete way to think about how we show up, how we communicate, who we are, what we stand for in everything we do. And what I love about it is this isn't just some abstract idea. Right? It's something we can all actually use, whether it's a big presentation at work or just grabbing coffee with a friend. It really applies across the board. It's about bringing that intentionality, that authenticity to everything. Just think, how often do you walk away from a conversation feeling like, yes, we really connected there. I felt heard, understood.
[00:07:04] Unknown:
Versus how often do you feel like something was off, like there was a disconnect? All the time. And I'm guessing those times where things feel off, those are the times when someone's values, role, attitude, they're not quite lining up. Like, maybe they're saying the right things, but their body language or tone of voice, it's telling a different story.
[00:07:23] Unknown:
Bingo. You're exactly right. And then on the flip side, those people who just draw you in, those magnetic communicators Mhmm. It it often because they are so aligned. They're vert, roll, haltung. It's all in sync. And that creates this aura of authenticity.
[00:07:39] Unknown:
So it's not about putting on an act. It's not about trying to be someone you're not. If anything, it's about, like, peeling back those layers. You know? Letting your true self shine through. And that takes guts. Being vulnerable, speaking your truth, even when it's tough, when it's not the popular thing to do. But when you do, that's when you connect on a deeper level. That's when your communication it really has the power to inspire to create change. It's like Klas is giving us permission to bring our whole selves to the table, to really let our values guide us, and that's such an important message. Impactful communication, it's not about following a script or trying to be just like someone else. It's about tapping into who you already are. Your values, your experiences, your perspective, all of it. Let that shine through in everything you do.
[00:08:23] Unknown:
So whether you're speaking to a crowd of 1,000 or having a heart to heart with someone you care about, remember, authenticity is key. Align that inner compass. Let your true self shine,
[00:08:35] Unknown:
and watch the impact you can have. Well said. And remember, as you're navigating all those conversations,
[00:08:41] Unknown:
big and small, be kind to yourself along the way. Right? It's a journey. Couldn't agree more. This has been a fascinating deep dive. Really gets you thinking, doesn't it? So listeners, I'm curious. What will you do to align your values, roles, and attitude in your own life? Until next time.
[00:09:04] Martin Kloss:
Hi, everyone. It's me again. Just a quick note before I let you go. I hope you found today's episode entertaining, engaging, and maybe even inspiring. If you did, please spread the word. And if you didn't, please keep it to yourself. And if you wanna know more, have any questions, or wanna work with me, please get in touch with me on martinklaus.com or on LinkedIn. Now have a great day. Go out and do something fun.
Hi, and welcome to People Play Story, a podcast about storytelling and how to communicate with impact. My name is Martin Kloss, and I'm a professional story coach and speaker trainer. I recently wrote a book. It's called People Play Story, but it's only available in German for now. So to help me reach a wider audience and spread the word about the power of stories, I created this podcast. Full disclosure, what you're about to hear is generated by an AI, courtesy of Google's notebook LM. And each episode is based on a different chapter of my book. I hope you enjoy it and that I can give you something to think about today. Have fun.
[00:00:53] Unknown:
Okay. So today, we're diving into authentic communication.
[00:00:57] Unknown:
Ever notice how some speakers just have that certain something? They can hold a room, make you feel things, really connect. And it's not always about fancy slides or perfectly timed jokes. It's a certain presence. Exactly. Today, we're diving into the idea that impactful communication, it starts way before you even hit that stage. It's about your core self and how that translates to how you're perceived. It's about who you are, not just what you say. Right. And we're exploring that through the work of communication expert Martin Kloss. Specifically, his idea of values, role, attitude, or as he puts it in the original German, Werta role, haltum.
Definitely has a more, I don't know, impactful sound in German, doesn't it? Right. So this framework, it's about those three elements working in harmony. But let's break it down. Let's start with Werther values. What are we talking about here? Think of it like this, your deeply held beliefs.
[00:01:50] Unknown:
The things you hold dear that act as your internal compass. And it's not just what sounds good for a company mission statement or something. Right? It's about what truly guides your decisions,
[00:02:01] Unknown:
your actions. Walk the walk, not just talks the talk. Exactly.
[00:02:06] Unknown:
And Klaus gives us a great example. Someone raised Catholics. Right? They might question those beliefs when they're younger, but then later in life, they find themselves drawn back to those core values. It's like those values, they're tested. They go through the ringer. They come out even stronger. Exactly. They become even more foundational. Because when you think about it, those deeply held values, whether it's faith, family, personal experience, that's what gives your communication authenticity. That's the bedrock.
[00:02:33] Unknown:
So it's those values, they become this filter for everything you do, everything you say. Like a lens. Yeah. So how does this then play into the role part, the role?
[00:02:42] Unknown:
This is where it gets really interesting because role, that's about the different hats we wear. Right? The different positions we hold depending on the situation. Think about how you communicate with your friends versus, say, as a team leader at work.
[00:02:56] Unknown:
2 completely different roles. Totally. You're not gonna be cracking the same jokes with your boss as you would with your buddies. Exactly. Uh-huh. And Klaus, to illustrate this, he talks about Angela Merkel as chancellor
[00:03:07] Unknown:
versus, say, Donald Trump as president. Now that is an interesting comparison. Right. Both incredibly powerful leaders, similar systems, but vastly different approaches to how they embody those roles. And that likely comes down to, you guessed it, their values.
[00:03:22] Unknown:
And it's interesting how you can just tell sometimes. Right? You see these public figures, and you can almost feel whether they're living their values or just, you know, playing a part. Just that authenticity factor. Exactly. And that seems to tie directly into that third element of Kloss' framework, Holthum or attitude. That's a big one. So we've got our values, the guiding principles. We've got the roles we play, the different hats we wear. How does Holztung fit into all of this? Think of Holztung as the energy you project,
[00:03:54] Unknown:
both physically and how you approach things mentally.
[00:03:57] Unknown:
It's how you carry yourself, the vibe you give off. It's about aligning your internal state with your external expression. Does that make sense? So it's not just what you're saying, but how you're saying. Like, you could give the most amazing inspiring speech, but if your body language is screaming bored out of my mind, it's not gonna have the same impact.
[00:04:14] Unknown:
Exactly. And Klause illustrates this really well. He gives the example of a CEO, right, praising their employees. But while they're saying all the right things, their body language is condescending. Actions speak louder than words, as they say. A 100%. But how do we actually put this into practice? How do we make sure our whole tongue is the real deal, not just some kind of act we're putting on? A $1,000,000 question. Right. Well, luckily, Close provides some really practical tips. He suggests, 1st and foremost, get really clear on your values. Take some time, maybe grab a pen and paper, and ask yourself, what are my nonnegotiables?
[00:04:50] Unknown:
What truly matters to me, especially in how I communicate with others? So for instance, if one of my core values is honesty, I need to make sure that my communication style reflects that. No more beating around the bush or sugarcoating things,
[00:05:02] Unknown:
just straight talk. Exactly. Honesty in action. And then once you have a handle on your values, close says to map out your roles. Think about all the different hats you wear, parent, friend, colleague, mentor.
[00:05:15] Unknown:
How do those roles intersect, and how can understanding those dynamics, how can that help you communicate more effectively? This makes me think about how sometimes, you know, we might accidentally bring the wrong halt home to a situation. Like, if I'm super direct at work because I value efficiency,
[00:05:31] Unknown:
but then I use that same bluntness with my partner, probably not gonna go over well. You're picking up what I'm putting down. It's about being mindful of the context. Right. And then finally, Close talks about visualizing the whole tone you want to embody, like an actor getting into character. What kind of energy do you wanna bring to this interaction? What kind of presence do you wanna project? I love that, the visualization
[00:05:51] Unknown:
aspect. And Close gives a really cool example in the text. He mentions the saying, the captain is the last one to leave the ship. I mean, that statement alone, it just evokes a certain, doesn't it? Responsibility,
[00:06:04] Unknown:
leadership, this unwavering commitment. It's a powerful image, isn't it? And it highlights that haltomes is about so much more than just our words. It's about embodying our values, stepping into our roles with intention, projecting an attitude that truly aligns with who we are at our core.
[00:06:21] Unknown:
It's like finding that sweet spot where, you know, your inner compass and your outer expression are totally aligned. And when you hit that, you just radiate authenticity.
[00:06:29] Unknown:
Right. You said it. And that's what makes this framework so powerful. It's a really concrete way to think about how we show up, how we communicate, who we are, what we stand for in everything we do. And what I love about it is this isn't just some abstract idea. Right? It's something we can all actually use, whether it's a big presentation at work or just grabbing coffee with a friend. It really applies across the board. It's about bringing that intentionality, that authenticity to everything. Just think, how often do you walk away from a conversation feeling like, yes, we really connected there. I felt heard, understood.
[00:07:04] Unknown:
Versus how often do you feel like something was off, like there was a disconnect? All the time. And I'm guessing those times where things feel off, those are the times when someone's values, role, attitude, they're not quite lining up. Like, maybe they're saying the right things, but their body language or tone of voice, it's telling a different story.
[00:07:23] Unknown:
Bingo. You're exactly right. And then on the flip side, those people who just draw you in, those magnetic communicators Mhmm. It it often because they are so aligned. They're vert, roll, haltung. It's all in sync. And that creates this aura of authenticity.
[00:07:39] Unknown:
So it's not about putting on an act. It's not about trying to be someone you're not. If anything, it's about, like, peeling back those layers. You know? Letting your true self shine through. And that takes guts. Being vulnerable, speaking your truth, even when it's tough, when it's not the popular thing to do. But when you do, that's when you connect on a deeper level. That's when your communication it really has the power to inspire to create change. It's like Klas is giving us permission to bring our whole selves to the table, to really let our values guide us, and that's such an important message. Impactful communication, it's not about following a script or trying to be just like someone else. It's about tapping into who you already are. Your values, your experiences, your perspective, all of it. Let that shine through in everything you do.
[00:08:23] Unknown:
So whether you're speaking to a crowd of 1,000 or having a heart to heart with someone you care about, remember, authenticity is key. Align that inner compass. Let your true self shine,
[00:08:35] Unknown:
and watch the impact you can have. Well said. And remember, as you're navigating all those conversations,
[00:08:41] Unknown:
big and small, be kind to yourself along the way. Right? It's a journey. Couldn't agree more. This has been a fascinating deep dive. Really gets you thinking, doesn't it? So listeners, I'm curious. What will you do to align your values, roles, and attitude in your own life? Until next time.
[00:09:04] Martin Kloss:
Hi, everyone. It's me again. Just a quick note before I let you go. I hope you found today's episode entertaining, engaging, and maybe even inspiring. If you did, please spread the word. And if you didn't, please keep it to yourself. And if you wanna know more, have any questions, or wanna work with me, please get in touch with me on martinklaus.com or on LinkedIn. Now have a great day. Go out and do something fun.
Introduction to People Play Story
The Essence of Authentic Communication
Values: The Core of Communication
Roles: Wearing Different Hats
Attitude: Projecting Your True Self
Aligning Values, Roles, and Attitude
Embracing Authenticity in Communication
