I just wrapped up work with a client who’s about to give a big presentation. And my final, most important advice was to focus on chill thoughts until he gets onstage. What’s a Chill Thought? A chill thought helps you calm down, avoid anxiety, and—best of all—crowd out the ugly, self-demeaning thoughts that so often Read More
public speaking skills
The Starbucks Public Speaking Strategy: Talk To Large Groups Like They’re Individuals
Want to get more comfortable speaking to large groups? It’s easy with the Starbucks Strategy. To start, imagine that you’re in your local coffee shop. (Or health club, or grocery store, or multiplex…) You don’t hear much dull delivery, or see many bored audience members here, do you!? Everyone Speaks Well When They’re Speaking to Friends Read More
Public Speaking Tip 80: The Right Apology Makes Both People Feel Better (Even If You Don’t Think You’ve Done Wrong!)
When corporations do wrong, they often blow their apologies. An example: After the deadly Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, the Chairman of BP, which was responsible for untold damage, famously said, “I want my life back” and — wait for it! — “We care about the small people.” Well, we “small people” can do better! Read More
Public Speaking Tip 77: Want to Be Relaxed, Consistent, and Effective Every Time You Speak in Public? Focus on the People You’re Talking To!
Here’s a public speaking challenge that may sound familiar to you: I speak clearly in casual conversation, or when I’m under pressure and “on.” It’s those in between times where I tend to rush and blur my words. There’s an answer to this dilemma that’s simple, although not always easy to apply: If semi-pressured Read More
Michelle Obama: Public Speaking Poise
To understand the phrase “own the room,” you don’t need to look any further than Michelle Obama’s speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. The First Lady gave a stunning display of being fully and calmly in charge of herself, her words, and all that she surveyed as she knocked her opening night presentation over Read More