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 […]
effective communication
4 Benefits of Engaging in a Conversation With Opposing Views
Engaging in a conversation from different viewpoints can promote healthy communication. As someone who has specialized and taught communication skills over the past decade, the One Small Step program piqued my interest. After hearing the StoryCorps founder’s interview, I signed up to participate in the One Small Step program. At this time in our country’s […]
How AI Tools Can Increase Our Productivity As Speakers
There are ways to leverage AI tools to help us be more effective with our written and verbal communication. With the ever-evolving world of artificial intelligence (AI), we can learn to leverage this digital tool in several ways to enhance our work, improve our presentations, and engage our audiences more effectively. Here are ways where […]
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 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 […]