Public Speaking & Presentation Skills
Feeling Vulnerable and Exposed
Last week my car got rear-ended in stop-and-go traffic on the highway during the morning commute. I stopped. The young guy behind me decided to go. My body jerked into place and instantly trembled. Stuck in a middle lane, neither of us could get out to assess damage to the cars or each other.…
Read MorePlease Stop Boring People in Meetings
“Woo!” That’s how I started a five minute pitch last week at a business networking event. See, 20 business owners had been sitting around a large conference style table eating a lunch of clam chowder, over-sized chicken sandwiches and french fries, and listening to person after person talk for five minutes about their business.…
Read MoreDo Your Presentations Lack Energy?
My husband gave up eating french fries 4 years ago after reading an article stating that as men approach a certain age, french fries and potato chips are often the biggest contributor to weight gain. And just like that he hasn’t had a french fry since. Since he didn’t mention anything about women in…
Read MoreHow Small is Your Small Talk?
When you run a meeting, or attend one, do you jump right into business or start with a bit of “small talk”? That was a question posed to me last week during a presentation workshop I facilitated with a group of analytics professionals. Everyone agreed that yes, small talk matters. The real question became…
Read MoreCommunicate Change with Empathy & Curiosity
Whether a business owner or a leader inside a company, at some point you’ll have to communicate change to clients, employees or other important audiences. How you communicate that change matters. I remember the conversation like it was yesterday, not 14 years ago. The CEO of the small analyst firm where I worked stopped…
Read MoreCreating Real Relationships in a Data-Driven World
Real relationships matter in business. Do you have the relationships you need to be truly influential and accomplish great work? That’s what today’s post is all about. Imagine this. You’ve taken time to prepare for an upcoming client meeting or maybe a networking event. You know what you want to say and have the…
Read MoreAre You Solving the Right Problem?
Change is hard and people don’t like to be “sold to.” So, whether you’re selling a service, sharing bad news, or communicating change, make sure you are solving the right problem. That’s what today’s post is all about. *** The water in my town is not suitable for drinking, so when Michael and I…
Read MoreFeeling Vulnerable at Work: When Hiding is No Longer an Option
Moving from a job that is “behind the scenes,” maybe something technical, analytical or numbers focused, to a role that is more people or purpose focused can feel uneasy or unnatural. Today we’re talking about feeling vulnerable at work, “hiding in plain sight” and the importance of letting yourself shine. Hiding in Plain Sight…
Read MoreIs Anyone Listening When You Speak?
Have you ever wondered if anyone is listening when you speak? Or if what you say gets through to people? It all comes down to trust. And that’s what today’s newsletter is all about. *** “I wish I knew that my words were sinking in when I give these speeches,” my client Anne said…
Read MoreYou Are Good Enough
I don’t know anyone – men, women, early career professionals, entrepreneurs, executives – who doesn’t struggle with being good enough. Do you? (I’d like to meet them!) For example, just last week I met with a client via Zoom video and listened as she explained the angst she felt going into a meeting with…
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