Political candidates spend a massive amount of time preparing for debates since a lot is on the line, something leaders should also do before high-stakes events such as town halls, shareholder meetings or media interviews, writes communication coach Carmine Gallo. Prepare by being clear on the story you want to tell, recruit others to play the role of the audience or interviewer, record the rehearsal and review how you're coming across, Gallo recommends.

Put it into practice: Make the rehearsal feel as real as possible by putting up lights if you're doing a television interview or have someone ask you tough questions whether the event is live or virtual, Gallo recommends. "'Set the stage' so that it mirrors the real thing."

To have your message heard and understood, make it clear and succinct, then repeat it often through as many channels as possible, including meetings, blogs, newsletters and speeches, using a fresh approach each time, writes management expert and author Paul Thornton. "Use up-to-date examples and stories to keep your message relevant and meaningful," Thornton writes.

Put it into practice: Employ the "7x7 rule" to make your message sticky by using at least seven different channels to convey it, be it by email, video, special occasions or meetings, Thornton writes. One of Thornton's students told him that before her restaurant shift began, the manager would spend five minutes talking about company value with each server to reinforce the ideas.

Netflix's newly released "Culture Memo" contains the principle of "disagree then commit" so projects can move forward even when there is dissent, but a thorough review is done afterward to learn from any missteps, writes human resources consultant Suzanne Lucas. Sergio Ezama, chief talent officer at Netflix, expounded on how to create a good culture memo by getting employee feedback on what's essential and keeping the document (and principles) short so they're easy to remember.

Put it into practice: The "disagree then commit" principle adopted by Netflix doesn't mean leaders can disregard dissenting opinions, writes Lucas. "But -- and this is a very important 'but' -- be sure to monitor the results and be willing to admit when something has gone wrong, and you need to make a change."

TikTok influencers are touting "Rice-Zempic," a mix of rice, water and lime juice, as an affordable alternative to weight loss prescription drugs such as Ozempic, which mimic a hormone produced during food consumption. "While rice water may have some nutritional benefits, such as providing a source of energy from its starch content, there is no evidence to suggest it has any properties that would significantly impact weight loss, especially in the manner that anti-diabetic medications like Ozempic do," says registered dietitian Scott Keatley.

Green and golden bell frogs in Sydney, Australia, are benefiting from "frog saunas" -- low-cost structures made from bricks and plastic tarp -- to combat the deadly chytrid fungus. The saunas help these declining species of frogs recover from infections and build immunity, according to a study published in Nature.

My birthday was last week, but we celebrated early with a weekend away in Charleston, S.C. We ate and drank our way through the city, shopped in the market and went on a harbor tour that took us under the the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.

Just a few facts about the bridge: It is a cable-stayed bridge that spans the Cooper River and is the third longest cable-stayed bridge in the Western Hemisphere. The bridge opened in 1929 and is about 2.7 miles long.

Where have you spent time away from the office lately? Share your photos with us!

There's some good advice on messaging -- and getting your message heard and remembered -- in today's newsletter that will be valuable. Whether you're preparing for a high-stakes meeting or speech, trying to communicate a specific message or creating a document outlining your company's mission and values, the suggestions are similar: prepare, be succinct, find ways to make your message short but memorable and repeat it often through as many communication channels as possible.

I  recall reading something from a spiritual messaging leader years ago who said: "The moment you're sick of saying your church's mission statement is the moment your congregation is just starting to hear it."

We have so much to pay attention to these days that the noise often drowns out the most important things. If your message is important, keep saying it, writing it and broadcasting it in many ways because it's the moment you're tired of saying it that others will begin to notice.

Paul Thornton quotes Hatim Tyabji, former chairman and CEO of VeriFone, Inc., as saying: "Leaders must be clear, consistent and repetitive. Keep repeating the message until it sticks."

I'll make up my own: "When your message makes you sick, it's finally starting to stick."

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