When we reminisce about Hollywood, it’s often the stories that movies tell that captivate us the most. Screenwriting teacher Robert McKee eloquently states, “Stories are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience. They are the currency of human contact.” Storytelling: The Cornerstone of Effective Leadership Many of us […]
Read More...The Art of Conversation A Hidden Treasure Trove for Stories
You may be sitting on a goldmine of untapped stories to use in your presentations, and you don’t even realize it. How? By paying close attention to your everyday conversations. Let’s explore two ideas that may seem at odds but can work in tandem: The merit of recounting stories you’ve heard from others, versus the […]
Read More...Want to Know the Secrets to Maximize a Great Marketing Opportunity?
Give a Speech! Every service club and community group is looking for a free speaker next Thursday at lunchtime. Okay, it could be Wednesday morning at breakfast or even in Zoom. You get the point! If that is you, do not overlook a magnificent marketing opportunity. Here is a roadmap of everything you need to […]
Read More...5 Ways to Get The Professional Life You Want
Tell me what you say you want. Show me one week of your life and I will tell you if you will get it. Every day is a good time to challenge everything you do, expand your thinking, refocus your efforts, and dedicate yourself to your future. If you haven’t done this already this year, […]
Read More...What Most Presenters Don’t Know That Will Give You a Competitive Edge
In my world of powerful presentations, I encourage my speech-coaching clients and audiences to never underestimate the power of a pause. In this article, we will explore the significance of the pause and how you can leverage it to create additional impact in your presentations. The Essence of a Pause: A pause is not a […]
Read More...The Best Way to Craft and Deliver an Engaging Speech About Yourself
The Notion: Acknowledge the Mentors on Your Journey to Success Sooner or later, as a high-achieving professional, you’ll be invited to share your journey to success. The very thought may trigger a nervous response. After all, we’ve been socially conditioned not to “brag.” Let’s simplify the process with a strategy. Every speech orbits a central […]
Read More...Once Upon a Time: The Path to My Present as a Speech Coach
Every story has a “Once Upon a Time.” The place where the intricate weave of values, experiences, and influences begins to shape the fabric of our lives. As a speech coach, I guide my clients to revisit their own “Once Upon a Time”, unraveling the threads of their past to better understand the tapestry of […]
Read More...Want to Know a Much Overlooked Way to Connect with Your Audience Before You Speak?
Imagine this scenario: You’re about to step on stage as the speaker. The energy in the room is buzzing with anticipation. As you prepare to captivate your audience with your words, there’s a valuable strategy I recommend you embrace before that moment. Whenever possible, act as your own warm-up act. This is an often overlooked […]
Read More...Would Yoda Make a Great Public Speaker or Not?
If you are a fan of Star Wars, you know Yoda is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe, first appearing in the 1980 film The Empire Strikes Back. He is a small, green humanoid alien who is powerful with the Force and is a leading member of the Jedi Order until its near […]
Read More...What Happened on April 18? A few highlights.
On the evening of April 18, 1775, Dr. Joseph Warren summoned Paul Revere and gave him the task of riding to Lexington, Massachusetts, with the news that British soldiers stationed in Boston were about to march into the countryside northwest of the town. Paul Revere never shouted the legendary phrase later attributed to him “The […]
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