Speaking tips blog
Communication matters. What are you saying?
We now resume our regularly scheduled…
Was at our local ASTD Chapter's Munch & Mingle today. Several of the attendees were there as part of a job search, and interested in different perspectives on how to craft a resume. One admitted he hadn't made one since shortly after college (and while I didn't ask...
Bottled up
I try to hydrate when I speak (tip: it's best to hydrate a day before speaking). This usually means stashing water bottles at both sides of an auditorium and having a supply at the ready in any classroom. Today I did not have a water bottle and instead chose the...
Mute that thing!
Here's a tip that must not be well known judging from how many times I see people fail to use it.The problem with projecting a presentation is that if a break comes or the presenter wishes to do some other work on his computer, then that work can be displayed for all...
A moving experience
I usually agree with Tom Antion104 on his speaking points, and his blog has some great tips. But I have to disagree with his most recent post about moving while speaking105. While there are certainly times that speakers move too much, I think the error is more often...
But I have a really good reason!
Overheard in the men's room of a training center (which violates some man code, but that's someone else's blog), just after lunchtime:Student (to instructor): "Oh good. I thought I was going to be late. Now I know I won't be the last one there."Instructor: "Yeah,...
Three easy steps
The Boy and I got a fantastic tour of the local TV Station103105170 courtesy of neighbor and Sports anchor Jeff Gravley104106171 today. In our conversation, I was particularly interested in the communication skills that were needed for his job, and also how that has...
Another TTPP
Found a phrase that is a tip-off more than perhaps any other that a speaker is not bound by Rule #1. It's very prevalent. I've used it. We should all ban it from our vocabulary. The phrase is any one that starts with "I want..." Some examples:I want to cover...I...
No, really, I’m thrilled
I've seen this so many times it probably rates as a TTPP (Top Ten Pet Peeve).Today it was someone stating how much passion she had about something. In a monotone voice. With zero excitement in her voice. With no gesture, movement, or increase in audience focus. In...
Speaking for you
Another brilliant customer service story. My cell phone provider (who shall remain unnamed, but whose name means to run really fast) evidently called me this evening. Toll free number calling, man with thick accent identifies himself and gives the greeting and who he...
If something can go wrong…
it will. And it did.I met with the Raleigh Ruby Meetup on Tuesday night. They were a GREAT group who was really participative and seemed to really appreciate the topic ('Bore No More') and the format. I had a few slides to demonstrate some major points (mostly what...
Why use a 10-cent word when a $2 one will do?
Back to our professor from yesterday. During his presentation, he was stopped at least three times and asked to explain a word he used. That's a sure cue that you aren't speaking their language (undoubtedly, others had additional questions that weren't asked). Rule #1...
What? You don’t believe me?
Setting: lecture by a professor where the audience was voluntary. I don't know of a class of people who need less credibility when it comes to the subject matter -- this person was clearly the expert. This particular subject matter was of some dispute, and I expect...
