Do You Realize You Can Make Every Conversation an Education?

From a young girl who loved to work in my father’s office during school holidays, I have always been fascinated with business. The first day I went to work as an apprentice hairdresser, Dad said, “In your career, do not concentrate on making a lot of money. Rather,...

From Styling Hair to Shaping Words: What’s Your Origin Story

My journey into professional speaking and coaching began in an unlikely setting — a bustling salon on the island of Jersey in the Channel Islands. At 18, I worked with experienced stylists from the West End of London, masters of their craft who could whip up...

Want Expert Advice to Improve Your Public Speaking and Writing?

As an executive speech coach, I often stress to my clients that specificity is the cornerstone of credibility. To communicate effectively, every word must serve a purpose. One common misstep in public speaking and writing is the overuse of conjunctions like “and” or...

Want to Deliver an Unforgettable Presentation? Research Your Favorite Phrases

When you deliver a speech, do you research your favorite frequently-used phrases? One of my clients was preparing a keynote and wanted to use the phrase ‘burning the midnight oil.’  I asked, “Do you know where that comes from?” Together, we discovered it dates back to...