Feedback helps speakers understand what strengths they have and any areas of improvement needed. One of the best ways to grow your presentation skills is doing dry runs of your speech or workshop in front of an audience of colleagues. So when it’s your turn to observe, the act of giving feedback might feel awkward … Read On >
The Perception Often, we think of great speakers as people who are personable, funny, and extroverted. Just because you might be introverted, doesn’t mean you can’t feel empowered when you deliver a speech. But it’s introverts who spend a great deal of time studying the material and thinking through the details beforehand. In this way, … Read On >
He walked toward me at the end of a productive workshop. Shaking my hand, he asked a familiar question that I often hear after teaching one of our public speaking classes. Fidgeting with a notebook and a pen, he said “I learned so much. I can’t help but want to go home and practice all of … Read On >
Mispronouncing a familiar word can convey to a listener that you are not as knowledgeable as s/he might think you are.
Choosing the right word will guarantee that you will convey exactly what you mean, whereas choosing the incorrect word can sound wrong or can change the meaning of the statement. When do you use “input” or “enter”? What about the difference between “back-up” or “replacement”? How about “fix” or “resolve”? Ensure that words and expressions you … Read On >
You have planned your speech, and gathered what you need to say. Now, how are you going to present it? How you design your presentation can determine the success of the message you want to share with your audience. This includes your visuals, from photos to graphs and charts. According to a study from Microsoft Corp, … Read On >
Your Voice’s Quality & Power How you use your voice can determine the success of your presentation. This includes your vocal quality and use of pauses or silence. The information in this week’s email applies to Public Speaking as much as it applies to your small-group interactions and phone calls. The listener can learn a … Read On >
Express opinion and fact in the correct settings to make your point effectively. Let’s talk about Accuracy of Language! It’s important to be precise with our words, especially when sharing opinions. Imagine you’re chatting with friends about a movie. Instead of declaring, “That movie was the worst!”, try saying, “I thought that movie was really bad.” … Read On >
During an Improving Communications workshop, I asked a question that immediately had hands flying up from participants in the room: “How many of you have ever wanted to be more assertive in the workplace but didn’t know how?” It became very clear that assertiveness is a skill many people want to master. Before anything else … Read On >