I’ve had the opportunity to speak on several recent occasions about the power of our words and how we can make a better audience connection. Recent research emphasizes that how we communicate—our choice of words, tone, rate of speech, and nonverbal cues—profoundly affects our ability to build trust and connect with others. Most of us […]
audience engagement
Guidelines for Incorporating Humor Into Your Speech
One area that I have been working on is incorporating humor into the presentations that I deliver. Why add humor? Humor is a powerful tool in public speaking—it builds connection, increases engagement, reduces tension, and makes messages more memorable. Even light humor can warm up a room, and help you, as the speaker, feel more […]
3 Ways Practicing Gratitude Can Benefit Speakers
As speakers, practicing gratitude can strengthen your overall communication. Probably because Thanksgiving occurs at the end of this month, we often associate this month with gratitude. I would venture to say that most of us are more attuned and likely aware of the benefits of gratitude. However, there are a range of lesser-known benefits that […]
5 Ways Pauses in Speech Create Impactful Presentations
Utilizing pauses in speech can create a deeper connection with your audience. At a recent speaking event, I was conversing with an audience member before I took the stage, and the concept of “ma” came up. What is “ma”? No, it’s not another word for your mom. It’s a Japanese concept that translates to “pause”, […]
How Vulnerability Can Make You a Better Speaker
Transform into a more compelling, relatable speaker by being vulnerable. I recently worked with a client on crafting a presentation for her organization’s internal conference. She had a compelling story she wanted to share, yet wondered how much detail she should share. The question that arose was how vulnerable is too vulnerable? When does sharing […]
5 Tips to Make Your Presentation Memorable
When you make your presentation memorable you keep your audience engaged. In a recent conversation with a meeting planner, she asked me about the ‘take-home’ message in my presentation. What will the audience remember when they leave my session? Quickly, I rattled off the phrase: ‘consciously connecting through communication’. I like alliteration, so I intentionally […]