Who Are You to Judge?
(9/1/2020) Have you ever been disappointed with a judge's call—in a courtroom, on a ball field, or in a contest? Who are you to judge? In August of 2020, I watched eight finalists compete in the World Championship of Public Speaking, … READ MORE→
(9/1/2020) Have you ever been disappointed with a judge's call—in a courtroom, on a ball field, or in a contest? Who are you to judge? In August of 2020, I watched eight finalists compete in the World Championship of Public Speaking, … READ MORE→Potent Verbs Spice Up Your Storytelling
(8/18/2020) Verbs are the engines that move your writing, your speaking, your readers, and your audiences but many authors ands presenters don't spend enough time choosing the right ones. If your writing was an electric guitar, your verbs would be the volume, … READ MORE→
(8/18/2020) Verbs are the engines that move your writing, your speaking, your readers, and your audiences but many authors ands presenters don't spend enough time choosing the right ones. If your writing was an electric guitar, your verbs would be the volume, … READ MORE→Is Your Story Big Enough?
(8/4/2020) Is your story big enough? The following passage from The Story Story describes a common speaker's dilemma. Too many meaningful stories go untold because we fear they're not as big as someone else's. “He's got to be a motivational … READ MORE→
(8/4/2020) Is your story big enough? The following passage from The Story Story describes a common speaker's dilemma. Too many meaningful stories go untold because we fear they're not as big as someone else's. “He's got to be a motivational … READ MORE→If I Can Do It, You Can Do It Stories: Speaking Mistakes
(7/21/2020) If I can do it, you can do it! Well … maybe. Is your story about your extraordinary personal journey? Talking about yourself for your own sake will be perceived by listeners as narcissism or seeking validation. Stories of dramatic … READ MORE→
(7/21/2020) If I can do it, you can do it! Well … maybe. Is your story about your extraordinary personal journey? Talking about yourself for your own sake will be perceived by listeners as narcissism or seeking validation. Stories of dramatic … READ MORE→Who's Your Meeting Monster?
(6/23/2020) What is a meeting monster? My daughter asked me to spend some time with her. “I can't right now,” I replied. I'm the meeting monitor today.” She shot me a funny look. “Daddy, what's a meeting monster?” The name stuck. … READ MORE→
(6/23/2020) What is a meeting monster? My daughter asked me to spend some time with her. “I can't right now,” I replied. I'm the meeting monitor today.” She shot me a funny look. “Daddy, what's a meeting monster?” The name stuck. … READ MORE→Speakers, Never Say You're Sorry
(5/26/2020) Love means never having to say you're sorry. “I'm sorry, but I had only an hour to put this speech together.” “I'm sorry … I need to look at my notes.” “I'm sorry to get started late; the traffic was … READ MORE→
(5/26/2020) Love means never having to say you're sorry. “I'm sorry, but I had only an hour to put this speech together.” “I'm sorry … I need to look at my notes.” “I'm sorry to get started late; the traffic was … READ MORE→Don't Break the Fifth Wall
(4/28/2020) Actors refer to an invisible “fourth wall” between the stage and the audience. In a play, audiences view the proceedings with a special anonymity. Actors portray an alternative reality that rarely acknowledges the presence of an audience in an auditorium. … READ MORE→
(4/28/2020) Actors refer to an invisible “fourth wall” between the stage and the audience. In a play, audiences view the proceedings with a special anonymity. Actors portray an alternative reality that rarely acknowledges the presence of an audience in an auditorium. … READ MORE→Speak Standing Up!
(4/14/2020) I've been videoconferencing for years; this will be easy! I thought as I began my first virtual speech. When it was over, I was surprised at my lackluster performance, and by the number of filler words I used—ums, ers, and … READ MORE→
(4/14/2020) I've been videoconferencing for years; this will be easy! I thought as I began my first virtual speech. When it was over, I was surprised at my lackluster performance, and by the number of filler words I used—ums, ers, and … READ MORE→Videoconferencing: 11 Tips You Haven't Seen (But Should)
(3/31/2020) You've already read at least a dozen articles about ZOOM and videoconferencing that remind you to mute yourself when you're not talking and look into the camera. Here are eleven important video tips you haven't read before but should. … READ MORE→
(3/31/2020) You've already read at least a dozen articles about ZOOM and videoconferencing that remind you to mute yourself when you're not talking and look into the camera. Here are eleven important video tips you haven't read before but should. … READ MORE→Public Speaking Tip: Body Language and Spoken Language
(3/17/2020) Body language and spoken language: Combine them strategically to enhance audience engagement. In my 2019 Toastmasters Humorous Speech Contest entry, I parodied the “speaker's journey” from being paralyzed by fear to joining Toastmasters to becoming a confident presenter. (Toastmasters International … READ MORE→
(3/17/2020) Body language and spoken language: Combine them strategically to enhance audience engagement. In my 2019 Toastmasters Humorous Speech Contest entry, I parodied the “speaker's journey” from being paralyzed by fear to joining Toastmasters to becoming a confident presenter. (Toastmasters International … READ MORE→