If I asked you to hop into my car and I started driving, how long would it take until you were supremely uncomfortable with not knowing where we were headed? Are we headed around the corner? Driving to New York? Some people like an adventure. Me? I probably wouldn’t even get in the car to […]
For a Powerful Talk Make Sure You Have a Roadmap Read More »
The first annual Women in Analytics conference took place last week in Columbus. We think it’s the first conference of its kind. It had a pilot year a few years ago when its current co-organizer was still in college.This was the first full-blown organized, public access, kick-ass attendee, SOLD OUT event. While it was not
Killer Speaker Events: Musings on WIA 2018 Read More »
This article on praise from TED was passed around the Articulation office/treehouse. It was an important reminder for any coach, manager, or even parent, that comparison, even positive comparison, can have negative (unintended) consequences to confidence. It was with this article at the top of my mind that I watched this year’s Women’s Skating finals
To be a Winner in Public Speaking, Banish Comparison Read More »
When we coach cohorts (three to 10 speakers at a time for a specific event), we get a front row seat to the diverse emotions people experience in preparing a talk. I like to coach my clients (those that hire us to work with the speakers) that getting a speaker’s idea, content and story
A Coach’s Look into the Speaker’s Mind Read More »
The sound of silence – I’m not comfortable with it. Frankly, I’m still struggling to find my “inside voice.” Silence, however, is a critical skill for public speaking. Understanding the importance of silence–what I call “oral punctuation”– is a necessary component of effectively sharing ideas. “But, if I pause, the audience may think I don’t
How to Power Up Your Pauses to Move a Crowd Read More »
Our clients have a strong desire to improve their public speaking skills, but they often wait until a big presentation is scheduled to think about it. This means the only time they flex their presentation muscles is when it really matters. That’s a gamble. What’s needed is a strategy. I train in CrossFit. I love
Are you competing when you should be training? Read More »
Since we spentgood time last week coaching really sophisticated research scientists helping them to make their science accessible to important audiences, we were thrilled that Quicken Loans did this ad for the Super Bowl. We are “that guy” in the background, every day. Helping really smart folks understand how to translate their complex ideas into simpler
We got our own Super Bowl ad! Read More »
As we approach rehearsal day for a TED-style event, without fail the client asks, “Are you worried about any of the speakers?” We’ve coached hundreds of people to give talks like TED, and only one type of speaker worries me. It might surprise you to hear that it has nothing to do with complicated content, or
This blog is in our series of coaching reflections, where we pick an experience while working with a client in public speaking, keynote talks, TED-Like talks, presentation skills, executive communication, storytelling, content framing and/or executive presence. Background: Head of a division of a global company has been invited to give a talk at a a leadership
First, a quick refresher on the classic tale. Goldilocks, after breaking and entering into the empty home of The Three Bears, proceeds to eat the dinner the bear family worked very hard to prepare. First she tries one porridge and decides it’s too hot. The next bowl is too cold. The last bowl is juuuuuuust
Goldilocks inspires to aim beyond “just right.” Read More »
