I just took the Miami Writing Institute class. It’s a 4-5 hour online “taste” of what Miami University has been teaching teachers about writing within each academic discipline and genres through their nationally known Howe Center for Writing. A few weeks ago, I was on panel with its director, Elizabeth Wardle, Ph.D. and had some …
When a client tells me they want to do a group presentation, my first instinct is to say DON’T DO IT! They take a lot more time. (I mean a lot!) It’s harder to make the presentation cohesive. The increased complexity means more risk of things going wrong. Long story short, they are just harder …
For over a year or more as I walked the halls at a large executive speaking coach client organization, I’d been told about an executive with the UM, AH and LIKE problem. You know, those filler words people use when speaking, and in public speaking in particular. They were correct but not complete. After a …
Emotion. Besides breath, emotion is one of the most underrated attributes of our oratorical treasure chests. Dig deep and you will find it can unlock the most unengaged of audiences. But what happens when you get really emotional while telling a personal story? Let me preface this by saying emotion is anything that makes you …
Go Deep: How to Show and Manage Your Emotions in Public Speaking Read More »
A while back a friend was invited to speak to the Board of Trustees at his institution. We discussed that while he knew the topic well, he didn’t know the exact question he was answering. “Does there need to be a question?” he asked me. You decide which pathway would bring him to a more …
Our fourth quarter was a super interesting one, just like the first three of 2018. In short, it was a great year. In fact, our best ever. Thanks to all of our clients who trusted us to help them improve their TED-style presentations, storytelling competency and public speaking impact. While we coached and trained executives …
Stepping out of the Lab: How to Translate Healthcare Insights for Your Audience Read More »
First, a quick refresher on the classic tale. Goldilocks, after breaking and entering into the empty home of The Three Bears, proceeds to eat the dinner the bear family worked very hard to prepare. First she tries one porridge and decides it’s too hot. The next bowl is too cold. The last bowl is juuuuuuust …
As we close out 2012, I have produced another ‘best clips’ video (you may remember the first one on opening hooks), this time, on great closings. As a speechwriter friend of mine told me once, the hardest part for her clients was “Getting into and getting out of the talk.” So here’s some inspiration to …
Last weekend I assisted with prepping some of the speakers for TEDxSanDiego, a wonderful TEDx run by Jack Abbott, a longtime marketing executive in the area. Jack invited me to work with four specific speakers in preparing their talks and then to the rehearsal to help gently guide any other speakers in need of help. I …
As the co-host and lead curator for TEDxColumbus, I’m supposed to act as an information waitress. I help select and then introduce the talks to people who are hungry for their curiosity to be fed. My job is to present the ideas (as authored by our speakers) without judgment so the audience can come to their …
