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”, […]
effective communicating
How to Build a Successful Relationship with a Meeting Planner
One important element that should not be overlooked is the relationship one builds with the meeting planner. One of the best ways to keep your speaking pipeline filled is to build a successful relationship with a meeting or event planner as their success is related to your success. The following are several ways to ensure […]
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 Ways to Ensure Effective Cross-Cultural Communication
Become a more effective speaker by strengthening your cross-cultural communication skills. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to speak to audiences in other countries (virtually) as well as coach professionals not from the United States who wanted to improve their presentation delivery to a US-based audience. Whether speaking to an audience from a country […]
My Favorite Books from 2023
I hope that my favorite books from 2023 provide you with reflection to accelerate growth. As a life-long learner, I’m an avid reader. My parents instilled in me a love of reading from a very young age, and I still enjoy the pleasure and learnings of a well-written book. Whether you are looking for a […]
How to Turn Negative Feedback from Speaking Engagements into Gratitude
Using this powerful tool when faced with perceived negative situations will help turn negative feedback into gratitude. According to neuroscientists, our brains are evolutionarily hard-wired to remember the negative rather than the positive. It’s one of our defense mechanisms to protect us against threats and keep us alive. It’s called our negativity bias. That is […]