We’ve all been annoyed by discourteous speakers at various times in our lives. Whether they talk too loud, interrupt others, or talk too long, it is often frustrating for others in their presence. In group discussions, some may feel as if their ability to contribute has been compromised. In libraries or similar work spaces, many […]
Archive | Leadership
Kate Middleton’s First Speech: Simple, Sound and Safe
There is no doubt that Kate Middleton projects poise, prestige, and presence. As an international spokesperson, she needs to present authentically and with political savvy. This first speech was self-written and less than four minutes. She did little “wrong,” but from a coaching point of view, I see an opportunity for her to improve. First […]
Why Communicating with Coworkers is Important
You have likely witnessed a few blunders in your professional life caused by poor communication. While these situations certainly range in severity, some seem like complete disasters. Have you ever wondered what would be the worst case scenario? Last summer, a murder suspect was mistakenly released from Ohio custody twice due to a lack of […]
Non-Verbal Indicators of Discomfort
In many ways, the United States has been inching closer and closer to racial equality. But the progress hasn’t been perfect, and true equality may never be achieved (I hope this is not the case). Despite all of the regulations and legalities, there are deeper social dynamics that make it difficult to break down all […]
Effective Communication: Connecting Beyond Words
You’ve heard it said over and over again: It’s not what you say, but how you say it. Body language (voice, gestures, and eye contact) are essential to effective communication and presentations. Those who present with energy and enthusiasm often have a greater impact on their audience. Most important and powerful is the quality of […]
Take the Challenge – Become an Author!
Taking a challenge made me an author! After 30 years as a communication consultant and public speaking coach, I am now available on Amazon and B&N! Here’s the story behind my success. I was having coffee with a colleague, a peak performance coach, who was working on his second book. When I said I was […]
The Science of Public Speaking
By speakingthatconnects in Blog, Leadership, Non-verbal Communication, Presentation Skills, Relationships
One of my business’s taglines is “the art and science” of presentation excellence. Recently someone challenged the “science” aspect. Thinking “performance”, “stage presence”, “microphones”, “PowerPoint”, they felt speaking was more the “art.” But speaking is a complex neuromuscular activity (I learned that in Speech 101 many years ago) . Our thoughts are transformed into energy […]
The Counterproductivity of Counting Uhs and Ums
I recently attended a well-known public speaking organization, Toastmasters, to learn more about their structure and strategy in developing speakers. While I appreciated their focus on strong organization, the building of vocabulary and the pursuit of grammatical accuracy, I found the practice of counting “ums” rather counterproductive. Telling a speaker they have 7 ums and […]