Public Speaking Strategies That Work in Healthcare
Public speaking is a skill that every professional, regardless of industry, should master. Whether it’s giving a presentation at work or attending a conference, public speaking requires practice and preparation. What’s more, it can be an intimidating experience for many people who are afraid to speak publicly. But with the right strategies, anyone can overcome […]
“Perfect. Just Perfect.” Twisting a Serious Subject into a Tall Tale
Can death and drugs be funny? That was my question as I created a tall tales speech for a recent Toastmasters Tall Tale Contest. Tall Tales Contest speeches are 3-5 minute speeches in which the subject “must be of a highly exaggerated, improbable nature and have a theme or plot.” My Tall Tales speech (video below), […]
Stop Apologizing So Much!
In one of my favorite TV series, NCIS, one of the leading characters, Jethro Gibbs, lives by a set of rules. Rule #6 is “Never say you’re sorry.” On the show, that rule is often followed by the phrase, “It’s a sign of weakness.” I disagree with the absolute of NEVER saying you’re sorry because sometimes […]
Public Speaking Coaching/Training Online: Challenges & Opportunities (Interview)
I was recently interviewed via email for a student project that addressed some of the challenges & opportunities of coaching/training public speaking online. Below are 8 questions and my responses. My target client is a subject matter expert who wants to speak with greater confidence and clarity. About 80% of my clients fall into this […]
Is Cancel Culture Bullying You Into Silence?
“No Comment.” Have you ever wished you had simply said, “No comment”? Are you being silenced for fear of backlash? Michael Toebe, the editor of Communication Intelligence Magazine, recently interviewed me for commentary about the rise of online backlash and “cancellations” in THIS article featuring the story of professional golfer, Graeme McDowell, who experienced tremendous […]
If I Were Elon Musk’s Speech Coach . . .
If I were Elon Musk’s speech coach, I’d offer him some analytics, especially on filler words and repeated words, plus some coaching feedback. In the 2-minute video below, I demonstrate my new speech analytics tool, Yoodli, looking at a short clip of Elon Musk speaking.
Speak with Confidence Today!
Do you have a presentation coming up, maybe in the next day, maybe in a couple of hours? Then, the video below is for you. I’m not going to talk about strategies for building content or creating awesome slides. I’m going to focus solely on what you can do to build confidence on the day […]
“Webinar Replay” Impromptu Speaking Workshop
I recently presented a workshop on Impromptu Speaking and many people asked me for the “Webinar Replay.” But, I hadn’t recorded it because it was actually a Zoom meeting and participants were on camera. However, the next day I recorded myself giving the workshop as a presentation and sent the video to the people who […]
Master Impromptu Speaking Infographic
Master Impromptu Speaking (points on the infographic–click here for the infographic ) Buy Time Sometimes, you need just a little more time: time to grasp a concept, time to formulate your thoughts, time to clarify the question, time to breathe. • Pause for a breath • Repeat or rephrase the question • Clarify the question […]
The Link Between Performance Anxiety and Stuttering
Performance anxiety (or stage fright) is a subset of glossophobia — the fear of public speaking. It’s estimated that 77% of the population suffers from some level of anxiety regarding public speaking. Some physical symptoms of this are sweating, increased heart rate, and muscle tension. This can also manifest behaviorally through stuttering. How performance anxiety […]