Why Your Story Doesn’t Need To Be One Hundred Percent Factual
A question I often hear about storytelling is, “Does my story have to be true?” What is your knee-jerk reaction to this question? The first time I heard this question, my emotional response was, “Yes! Anything else would be a lie.” I had plenty of ‘proof’ to back this...
Why Audiences Ignore And Quickly Forget Your Personal Story
I was listening to an interview featuring a Hall of Fame speaker. She said something that on the surface sounded harsh. But, as a storytelling coach I agreed with. She said: “Quit thinking that anyone cares about your personal story.” The idea of sharing of your...
Why Public Speaking ISN’T Your Number One Fear
For many years, you may have heard that public speaking is your number one fear. I bought into this belief for years, until I researched it. It’s Not That Simple There are several sources that list the most prevalent fears. Many of them claim a different one at the...
What Your Audience Really Wants — And How To Leave Them On A High
(This is the last post in our storytelling Brain CODE series. If you missed the post about the importance of creating stress in your story, you can read it by CLICKING HERE) It’s good to create tension in your listener. It’s NOT OK to leave them feeling that way by...
The Most Important Part Of A Speech (If You Want To Connect)
In a recent poll, I asked, “What is the most important part of a speech?” We received several responses. Answers ranged from: - The opening - The closing - Connection with the audience - The delivery These are each excellent responses. There is no right or wrong...
Earn Trust With One Simple Step In Your Story
(This is the second of four posts about quickly gaining buy-in to your message. If you missed the first post, click here) You’ve opened your story and your audience is leaning in to hear more. You've created tension and the cortisol is pumping through their...
Why Stress Helps Your Story – And Is Good For Your Audience
In a previous post, we talked about tapping into the Brain CODE. This enables you to develop a quicker and deeper connection with your audience. If you missed that post, you can read it if you click here. Now it's time to take a deeper dive into the CODE. Let's take a...
How To Avoid Over Stuffing Your Audience Like A Turkey
A common problem in speeches is they are stuffed with too much information. This leaves audiences feeling overwhelmed and reluctant to take action because they're not clear on what they should do. This can cost you opportunities to sell more of your product or...
Here’s How To Quickly Gain Buy-In To Your Message
The Secret CODE To Stir Audience Emotions When you hear a memorable story, do you know why it has an impact on you? Audiences often tell me it’s because the story touched their emotions. This is true, but there’s a deeper and more impactful reason. Well-told stories...
Are You Sending Your Audience On A Detour With This One Mistake?
I was listening to a speaker talk about fishing experiences when he was a child. He was expertly demonstrating casting a line into a lake, only to pull an empty fishing hook out of the water. After doing this three times, he then pulled a stuffed fish out of his...
One More Cool Way To Introduce Your Character (part 3 of 3)
. Here's another cool way to give insight into your character: Describe how that person is introduced into your story. You could open your story talking about a company president who is sitting in her high back chair. She's dressed in a blouse and jeans. The room is...
Story Insight #12 – One Memorable Tool To Instantly Provide Insight Into Your Character
How can you give your audience insight into your main character without giving a long and drawn out backstory? One cool way is to describe the way your character is dressed. This can give us insight into the individual’s personality. For example, picture a woman who...
Story Insight #11: How To Give Insight Into Your Main Character (Part 1 of 3)
The best stories are about the transformation of a relatable main character. In the next three posts, you'll pick up insights into how to create a main character that people will root for and want to see succeed. The starting point is obvious. As simple as...
Story Insight #11 - How To Give Insight Into Your Main Character (Part 1 of 3) The best stories are about the transformation of a relatable main character. In the next three posts, you'll pick up insights into how to create a main character that people will root for...
How To Avoid Sending Your Audience To Your Biggest Competitor
Every time you speak, you are in competition. Not with other individuals or companies. You're competing with a device that has become the center of most peoples lives: The cell phone. I know what you may be thinking, “Thanks, Mr. Obvious. Everybody knows that.” I'm...
He truly has a gift in connecting with the heart of each person he works with and helping them to unleash their story into their talk. All of the speakers raved about his work with them. Each of them has had broad experience in speaking, but they all felt that working with Michael raised the bar on their ability to speak. You can listen to all of his speakers, Anthony Munoz, Richard Bernstein and Graeme Joffe, at http://www.tedxcincinnati.com/talks/.”
Allison Wonders Gars
Speaker Coach Manager, TED x Cincinnati
“Investing in Michael is one of the best investments I have ever made. I speak on the subject of diversity in the workplace, which can at times be a difficult topic to discuss.
Michael taught me a repeatable process that allows me to create a foundational concept, a logical structure, an opening that grabs the audience’s attention, and a conclusion that encourages my audience to take action that will save them time and money.
I found Michael easy to work with, flexible with his schedule, and a wealth of information about the art of speaking. If you need to improve your presentation or speech, I highly recommend you consider hiring Michael. It is one of the best investments you can make in your own growth.”
Natalie Holder
Founder, QUEST Diversity
Panic to Power
Swift and Simple Strategies Anyone Can Use to Overcome Fear and Anxiety About Public Speaking.
Inject More Humor
Secrets for Using Laughter to Connect Deeper with Your Audiences
Evaluate to Elevate
Discover the keys to delivering evaluations that lift others to higher levels of accomplishment
THE Book on Storytelling
Discover How to Develop and Deliver Business Stories That Increase Your Impact, Influence and Income
Go Ahead and Laugh!
A Serious Guide to Speaking with Humor.
Michael’s mission is to help leaders, managers and sales professionals communicate with more confidence, impact, and influence. This passion is born from his own communication difficulties early in his career.
Fortunately, he discovered that public speaking is like riding a bike, swimming or driving a car - it’s a learnable skill. Once he discovered this ‘secret’ he became a voracious student of the craft. He took courses, studied some of the world’s best speakers and storytellers and continues to study presentation and business storytelling skills.
He is hired by companies and organizations, leaders, managers and sales professionals, and TEDx speakers to help them become more confident, impactful and influential communicators.
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