The best way to overcome the fear of speaking before groups of people is to reframe the emotion. By labeling your physical reaction (heart racing, hands sweating, mouth dry) as fear-based, you will struggle to rise above it. You need to reframe …
Fearful of Public Speaking? Start by Doing This! Read more »
In business, our communications are often goal-focused; we are trying to influence, persuade, motivate, inspire or negotiate. However, it can become a problem if we are so focused on what we are saying that we lessen our focus on what …
Becoming a Better Listener Will Make You a More Effective Communicator. Read more »
Communicating in a business setting requires balancing tone with strong, effective messaging. Whether it is an email, presentation, or speech, we need to remain mindful of our tone without diluting the strength of our words. There are many words and …
Weak Words to Avoid in Your Business Communications. Read more »
Professional speakers and experienced presenters have a trick to burn off any nervous energy they may experience before their moment in the spotlight; they work it off physically. They go through a routine of small movements to shake off the …
Transform Your Nervous Energy into Genuine Enthusiasm. Read more »
When giving a presentation or teaching a class (virtual or in-person) start out with a clear idea of the time allowed. Start with a draft of the material you plan to cover. Create bullet points for the key ideas.Decide what material …
We all interrupt others, and others interrupt us; it is human nature. However, if it keeps happening in a business setting (either in person or virtual), you need to deal with it. The most important element is not to become …
There are occasions when a speaker has to work from a prepared script. However, the goal is still to come across as natural and authentic while maintaining good eye contact. To ensure you engage and connect with your audience, follow …
How to Read Your Speech or Presentation and Still Sound Natural. Read more »
When giving presentations, speakers assume they convey their emotions through their facial expressions. But, this is only partly true. Studies show that we use our hearing to detect mood even more than we use our sight. In our virtual world, …
Speakers, Be Aware of Your Tone—Listeners Can Hear Your Mood. Read more »
Whether we like it or not, we are often judged by our accent. Not only do people make assumptions about English-speaking foreigners and second-language speakers, but they may also base their beliefs on nothing more than a regional accent—Southern accent, …
A trait of highly effective speakers is their use of hand gestures. Research shows that people who use their hands when speaking connect more closely with their listeners. They come across as more invested, energetic, and likable. For the speaker, …
Top 5 Tips for Using Hand Gestures in the Virtual World. Read more »