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 […]
effective connecting
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 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 […]