When you give a speech and use a reference from the past, do you research it? For instance, one of my executive coaching clients asked for help with his Father of the Bride speech. He wanted to use the phrase tying the knot. I asked, “Do you know the historical reference?” We researched it and […]
Read More...Secrets to Help Your Audiences Remember Your Message: Your Phrase That Pays
Every day, we are bombarded with more information than we can remember. Whatever your role, you want your message to be remembered and repeated to others. When we do that, we are speaking to the audience of our audience. In selling, managing, inspiring, leading, training, copywriting, and, in fact, all forms of communication, we must […]
Read More...The #1 Skill to Increase Your Business, Career, and Reputation
It never ceases to amaze me that intelligent, well-educated, and ambitious professionals frequently overlook developing the number-one skill guaranteed to position them ahead of the crowd: the ability to stand up and speak eloquently in public, or at least stagger to their feet and say anything at all. What terrifies so many about public speaking? […]
Read More...To Become a Great Public Speaker, Why Not Learn from the Best to Become the Best?
Do you aspire to be an outstanding public speaker? Here’s a secret: great public speakers are made, not born. My Journey to Becoming a Speech Expert My clients will tell you I have a unique superpower: I can listen to what people say and instantly tell them how to improve their words or delivery. However, […]
Read More...USA Today Used a Frippicism™
On Monday, January 22, several pals texted, “USA Today has used another of your quotes in their ‘Don’t Quote Me’ segment.” It was “If you don’t act as if your name is on the door, it never will be.” Consider this: every interaction your organization has with customers either strengthens or weakens your relationship. Especially […]
Read More...Everyday Heroes Walk Among Us
My brother Robert Fripp played on David Bowie’s Heroes. One of the lines is “We can be heroes, just for one day.” However, there are those in our midst who are heroes every day, for decades. If you were to ask my brother, “How do we become a hero?” Robert would tell you, “By performing […]
Read More...Shift Your Perspective: Embrace 2024 with Fresh Eyes
As we stride into 2024, it’s crucial to recognize the impact of recency bias – the tendency to overemphasize recent experiences or the latest information when forecasting future events. This bias can skew our expectations, leading us to believe that the near past is a mirror of what’s to come. However, there’s an alternative viewpoint […]
Read More...You Don’t Like It: Learn from It. Transform Criticism into Success
Criticism, or as you may prefer to call it, “constructive feedback,” is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to refine their presentation skills. While the sting of criticism can be unsettling, embracing it as a tool for growth is a hallmark of a seasoned professional. The Audience as Critics In my extensive career as a […]
Read More...How to Arouse Interest in Your Subject
You have 30 seconds to command the attention of your audience. Don’t waste it! Certain speech openings captivate, mystify, and create an emotional bond that keeps an audience in the palm of the speaker’s hand. What would you give to learn those essential opening moves? Those great ways to bond instantly with an audience so […]
Read More...A Lesson in History While on The Couch
Swanage in World War II Exploring the history of a town or city adds a rich layer of appreciation to our experience of a place.I love being a tourist and understand the value of delving into the past to enhance my understanding and connection with a destination. During my vacation in Swanage, Dorset, near my […]
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