The late pop psychologist Dr. Joyce Brothers may be gone but she can still teach. Before her death in May 2013 at 85 she had given advice via virtually all media for 40 years and was so well known she did cameos on entertainment TV shows with regularity. She left me with two powerful concepts […]

I just got over a headache from trying to read small print on PowerPoint slides. I really tried. I often lost track of the presenter because I was preoccupied with the visual. Felt like I was browsing an old telephone directory at 25 paces. So, I gave up on the PowerPoint and decided to listen […]

Presentations: Would-be President John Edwards – Some Communications Thoughts: Media interviews As an executive coach, I humbly offer some communications advice to North Carolina’s political rising star, US Senator John Edwards. As sharp as he is, Sen. Edwards, should be wary that his drive to control messages in his presidential campaign may leave him looking slick and […]

Presentations: When Communicating – To Thine Own Self Be True: From the archives Al Gore, George W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, and even Diane Sawyer. All were on my mind several years ago as I wondered, “Just how much can you improve your communications skills?” If you are mild-mannered, can you become dynamic? If you are timid, can […]

Presentations: The Power of Storytelling: Speaking True story. It happened to me while diving through the sky at 35,000 feet. The F-15 pilot asked me matter-of-factly, “Do you see him?” I twisted to look as far over my left shoulder as the 25-pound helmet and oxygen mask would allow. “No I don’t,” I shouted. I snapped my […]

Presentations: The Hillary Effect – Communicating From the Gut: With Hillary Clinton “finding her voice” in New Hampshire… getting props for being human when she teared up and when she fired back in a weekend debate… many are looking at her in a different light.  It sure seems voters in NH are.  (Of course, the media […]

Presentations: Putting Humor Into Presentations : Speaking There’s a saying among professional speakers.  You don’t have to put humor in your speeches, but then you don’t have to make any money either. With that in mind, consider Dale Irvin.  Dale makes you laugh. And he can make you a better speaker.  (You can look him up on YouTube and […]

Presentations: Punching Up A Speech You Didn’t Write: Speaking Let’s talk technique for punching up your delivery of a quickly prepared speech – especially one you didn’t write. While I prefer discussing my favorite keys to good speeches (good storytelling + audience-centered content + passionate delivery + well-rehearsed from an outline), many professionals don’t have – or […]

Presentations: Presentation Authenticity: Sister Wendy : Speaking Once upon a time, one of television’s most unlikely and compelling examples of authentic communicating was Sister Wendy. To my mind, she was the essence of what you should strive for in presentations, and I hope you got to see her or get a chance via DVDs. The British art historian presented unpretentious, […]

Presentations: Present Well or Die: Presentation skills Professional speakers are told, “You don’t need humor in your speeches but you don’t need to get paid either!”  Business professionals should be told, “You don’t need to give good presentations but you don’t need to be successful either!” True story.  Presenters for two competing companies took turns before an […]