Speaking tips blog
Communication matters. What are you saying?
Finish strong
Finishing up a three-day class today. Usually slam worn out on a good week -- being sick has made it much harder than normal. My voice was 'bout shot, my patience low, and I was ready for the final bell to sound.With about two hours to go I became aware that I was...
A leading interview
At a company where an executive needed/wanted to get a message out. Because of the circumstances and the hesitation of the presenter to make it "his" show or just read a message, it was decided to make it an interview, and I found myself in the position of interviewer...
email thoughts
Jared Richardson talks of why he hates email today. Just had a similar conversation with a buddy on Sunday night, although the reasons differ. I made the comment then that email has made us much less efficient with communication. We send more information, but...
Auditory data acquisition
My cold has persisted. The last few days, this has resulted in my head being so stopped up I can't hear very well. Late last week, two people were talking in my office door (I had my back turned) and I didn't even hear them. Yesterday, I was in a (loud) restaurant...
Effective evangelism
Some interesting reading in Ben Franklin's autobiography, on so many levels.Found this little tidbit outlining Franklin's relationship with 18th century Methodist evangelist George Whitefield. He was amazed by his powerful voice, and measured the distance it could be...
more than a wee we
I'm not talking potty traing. Although I could.Working with an executive on a message to the troops. The topic is all the high-level things about strategy and planning and future and such-- pesky details aren't that important at a time like this. The message is one...
finish that thought
In my travels and travails, I frequently run across...Well, actually, many people that speak seem to have the unintended character trait of...Before I implicate everyone, let me throw out the caveat that not EVERYONE does this, butWell, most people do, so I shouldn't...
Only as good as the information…
Went flying today. As I was transferred to the departure controller, he sounded confused, hesitated, and greeted me with "Skylane... Skyhawk... Cessna 12345". I gently gave him the correct type -- Cardinal-- on my reply and he came back with "I'm only as good as the...
Excuses, excuses
Woke up yesterday feeling a little puny, and had a half day of teaching ahead of me. Things did not get better as the day wore on, and I ended up in bed where I spent 17 of the next 19 hours. I'm still not functioning 100%, and things (like toes) ache.During my class,...
Here’s what I want you to do…
Sat in on two speeches/presentations/lessons/demos this week where the presenter has had a pseudo-rhetorical question that they wanted the audience to pause and reflect on. In one case, there was a talk of focusing in on the meaning and even a mention of closing eyes...
Idioms for idiots
I find myself crossing idioms and saying things that get lots of blank looks, especially from people whose native tongue is not English (which I am fortunate enough to deal with on a regular basis). I usually catch myself after the fact, but am not doing so great at...
Competent! ?
I finished my 10th speech and thus fulfilled the requirements for my Competent Toastmaster (CTM) award today. Interesting designation -- no measurement or judgmental evaluation is accomplished. Just complete the 10 structured speeches. While I have the pleasure and...
