Do you hold the position, earn the salary, or command the respect you believe you deserve? If not, I encourage you to dress and speak for the role you aspire to, not merely the one you currently have. When I was growing up, my mother gave me great advice. “Patricia, of course, it is the […]
Read More...Don’t Fade into the Background
When you count your riches, do you do it in money or memories? For me, memories win out every time. At this point, most of my friends and I enjoy experiences together instead of exchanging gifts. Many years ago, on my first and only trip to speak at a series of events in South Africa, […]
Read More...Once Upon a Time Technique
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...Develop Your Storytelling Abilities: Life Lessons from Movie Stars and Hollywood
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...Make an Emotional Connection the Power of Perspective and Interactivity
To win your audience’s heart and mind, it’s essential to forge an emotional bond right from the beginning of your presentation. However, what does that really mean, and how do you execute it effectively? Case Study: Changing the Point of View During one of my training sessions, Stephen, who has lived with deafness since birth, […]
Read More...Wear a Fancy Hat and Great Ways to Make a Lasting Impression
That Leads to Contacts and Contracts Let’s talk about one of my favorite subjects: making an unforgettable impression in business. You know, the kind of impression that not only lands the deal it also solidifies your reputation as someone people simply must do business with. A Tip of the Hat to Business Success I’m sure […]
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...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...Unlock the Magic of Engaging Openings – Techniques 6 to 11
Your ability to engage an audience is more than just a technique; it’s a disciplined approach that weaves together various elements to create a captivating experience. Following up from part one The Power of Your Opening – Unleash the Potential of the First 30 Seconds, discussed 5 opening techniques from my recent book with Darren […]
Read More...The Power of Your Opening – Unleash the Potential of the First 30 Seconds
Have you ever marveled at the energy that surges through a room when a speaker begins with just the right words? A room full of individuals, each one different, yet all captivated by the magic that unfolds in those first precious moments of a speech. For decades I have invested time exploring the ideas, formulas, […]
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