Category: Must Read Articles

Brainstorming is a simple and effective tool in problem-solving. It brings together diverse thinking on a chosen topic with the sole purpose to generate a list of possibilities. No idea is rejected and speed of generating ideas is welcomed without the need to consider its merit or practicality. You can...

“If you always do what has always been done, you will always get what you got!” Change is the only constant. Change instills growth. Leaders implement change. However, being able to communicate the change in a way that is openly embraced requires tact and skill; enter the change talk. Your...

One of the more difficult leadership moments is for you to master the process of communicating distressing news. Regardless if the news is about a business restructure; informing of tragedy, or taking a principled standpoint on behalf of your company – this type of speech requires diplomacy and structure. Your...

Eight seconds is eight seconds. But why does sometimes eight seconds seem to drag out – like when you are waiting for test results – and other times eight seconds seem to go by so quickly? The reason is called the “oddball effect”. This is a term that describes what...

Voice projection is not as simple as speaking loudly. There are 6 factors that contribute to the vocal production that you need to master and control as a speaker. Volume – how loud you speak. Pace – how fast or slow you speak. Pause – how much of space between...

In order to master communication in a digital world you need to challenge yourself to improve the art of speaking. Bad speaking habits over time. Equally good speaking starts by taking simple consistent actions.   Take this 10-day speaking challenge. Each day, embrace the challenge for the day fully. This...

Your credibility as a speaker is a factor of whether or not your audience can trust you. If trust is a must, how do you maintain your ethics as a speaker and build trust simultaneously? Use the power of story to connect with your audience It is hard for your...

Speaking is a daily activity and not just a “performance” for your next virtual meeting or live event. You need to instill some actions, behaviours and disciplines to make speaking natural, relatable, and sustainable Non-negotiable You are the presentation and slides are your tool. Slides should never take over you...

Do you feel like you are speaking to a robot during your online meetings – speaking to a series of letters? Have meetings become mundane and disengaged? Let’s bring back the engagement into meetings using a range of online technology. The basics It should be standard virtual meeting etiquette, that...

If I gave you ten steps to discover the speaker within you - would you be interested to take part in the challenge? I believe that most people are afraid to speak because they base their speaking on misleading information that creates for an inauthentic speaker. Once you are aware...

Your audience knows more about you and your subject than you may think. Content can be googled, cross-checked, and verified before, during, and after your speech delivery. If you are active on Social Media, your personal life is now public. Enter the Ethical Speaker. Ethical Speaking Factor #1: Credibility and...

Presenting and public speaking can be both daunting and exhilarating. In this article, I will share with you a 3-step approach to awaken the speaker within you. Step #1: Overcome your fear and remember the impact of what you are doing Speaking is a privilege as someone believed in you...

You have become the specialist in your field of expertise. People look up to you and are guided by your wisdom and knowledge. You are now ready to transition into a teacher and train people around you. Let’s look at how to do this. Doors of opportunity You are a...

Can you recall a time in your life when you placed yourself in a particular “state” to achieve an objective? Getting through days of stressful, traumatic events – and even pleasurable ones – like weddings and celebrating the birth of your child – all these events require you to be...

You’re invited to speak at an event; your travel and accommodation will be paid for; and you get to tour a new city! It doesn’t matter if this city is within your own country or abroad, every audience is different and you are still perceived as the “foreigner.” Demonstrate your...

The Q&A session is a unique opportunity to: entrench your professionalism; showcase your expertise; and re-entrench the key principles within your talk. Below are Q&A scenarios with advice on handling it. Scenario 1: How should you deal with a “silly” question versus a “stupid” question? A silly question has to...

Aristotle broke down persuasion into 3 essential components of: Logos, Pathos and Ethos. Let’s look at how to incorporate these components within your next speech.  Logos: The logic of what you are saying Frame your speech with a thought-provoking opening and closing. Build your argument with logical transitions from one...

If you have to ask great speakers for their secret to their success on stage, one common factor would be the amount of preparation that they conduct on understanding their audience. In this article, I will share some of the factors that to consider when tailoring your speech to your...