Intention + Action
I write a lot (and think, and coach) about deliberate, productive intention. What is the outcome we seek from our communication, and what can we do on purpose to help bring that outcome about? It’s not enough to think about intention. We have to figure out how to activate it. After all, we understand other …
Hybrid Events (or, The Worst of Both Worlds)
One of my clients was recently asked to put together several events for her organization’s executive team. “We’ll have people in person!” they said. “Oh, and we’ll stream it!” they said. “It’ll be a hybrid. People can attend however they like!” In theory, this seems like a win-win. Anyone who would like to attend in …
When You’re Speaking, Start with Silence
When you’re delivering a speech or presentation, what should you do first? Here’s my suggestion, and it may seem counterintuitive. Don’t start talking. Stay quiet. Take your place at the front of the room. Look around. Smile. Wait. Let everyone settle. See them looking back at you. Remember your intention: what are you here to …
A Tale of Two Distractions
Once upon a time, about fifteen years ago, I completely flubbed a curtain speech I had to deliver before a play. I had given many curtain speeches as the co-founder and Producing Director of North Carolina Stage Company, but that night, something went wrong. The lights on my face were unusually bright, and I was …
The double-edged sword of jargon
Groups of people who spend a lot of time together develop their own ways of speaking. They have inside jokes, acronyms, and jargon that distinguish their group from others. At its best, this special language helps connect the people in the group, and those bonds are important to establish safety and trust. Unique words can …
The crossroads of “why bother”
We got to work with a small group of people last week who were all practicing short introductions. These were about a minute long and served the purpose of kicking off a “lunch and learn” type of event. One minute. Short enough to maybe not bother really preparing, but definitely long enough to set the …
Audiences are selfish.
This is one of the most important things to know when you are preparing a speech or a presentation. Audiences are selfish. The fear many people have that the audience is judging them is misplaced. Most audiences are willing, and even excited, to see what you have to offer. But we’re not there for you. …
Stick the landing (and what to do if you don’t)
As you might imagine from the title of this post, I’ve been watching the Olympics. The gymnasts’ skill and focus always blow me away, and I enjoy watching them compete. Of course, the phrase “stick the landing” comes from gymnastics competition. In order to really finish the routine with an exclamation mark and not …
Henry V did not use slides.
I am a big admirer of public speaking coach and overall interesting thinker Nick Morgan. His book, Can You Hear Me?: How to Connect with People in a Virtual World, is one of the resources I have turned to most often in the last 18 months. Because I appreciate Nick’s writing, I’m always particularly pleased …
“Prepared” versus “From the heart”
The other day, as I was scrolling through an online forum dedicated to my favorite college basketball team (go Heels!), a comment jumped out at me. In response to the question: “Do you think Coach prepares his speeches to the team?” one person responded, “No way. It’s off the cuff. He speaks from the heart.” …
