NOTE: This post is based on the work of Phyllis Mindell, Ed.D. (1937-2022), teacher and author of many books for women and executives who want to speak more powerfully at work. You can download a handout of the post here, and also download The Seven Public Speaking Deadly Sins for Women. **** Because women often Read More
Women and Public Speaking
Speaking Up Is a Mix of Skill and Will, for Both Men and Women
What can help you speak up — for yourself, for your team, and for your ideas? To “speak up,” you need a combination of skill and will. This means that you’re clear about wanting to be heard by others, and that you have the basic public speaking skills (you speak loudly enough, your words can be understood, you pace Read More
How To Ask for What You Want
Public speaking — and effective communication in general — is always about preparation. So really, the title of this post should be… How To Prepare to Ask for What You Want I shared these tips at the annual conference of The Women’s Alliance of Xerox: When You Ask for What You Want, You’re Starting a Negotiation! You’re not asking Read More
Public Speaking Tip 94: Women (and Men), Watch Out for Upspeak — It Can Hurt Your Career
What Is Upspeak, and Why Should You Care? Let’s start with something so obvious that you may not have thought about it: When you want to ask a question (and you’re speaking American English), your voice rises at the end of what you’re saying, like this: But sometimes, people’s voices rise at the end of a thought Read More
Public Speaking Tip 79: Petite and Female? Your Size is No Obstacle to Being Heard!
According to one website (sadly, no longer active), one-fourth of adult U.S. women are under 5’3″. These women run businesses, raise families, and speak up for their beliefs, just like their taller sisters do. So if you ever feel that small stature is a deficit, think about petite powerhouses like these: Small Women with Big Impacts Rosa Read More