One Easy Way To Alienate (Or Piss Off) Your Audience, And Guarantee Your Message ISN’T Heard

One Easy Way To Alienate (Or Piss Off) Your Audience, And Guarantee Your Message ISN’T Heard

“I know I’m over time, but I’ve got two more points I want to make.   ~ A common speaking refrain I was sitting in a room with about 100 other people. The speakers were sharing updates on various activities within our city. The final speaker was clearly over his...
One Belief That’s Killing Your Speaking Game

One Belief That’s Killing Your Speaking Game

The Quest for Perfection My client said a phrase I’ve heard countless times: “Michael, I really want to perfect my speech.”  It’s a mantra repeated by many speakers, even professionals. The thought process is that if you rehearse enough, your speech will be flawless....
Seven Reasons Why You Should NOT Always Tell Stories

Seven Reasons Why You Should NOT Always Tell Stories

Storytelling can be a powerful tool to communicate ideas and inspire others. But, there are scenarios in which it might not be the most effective or appropriate approach. Here are some situations when stories might not be ideal for leaders: 1. Not every situation...
Are You Sending Your Audience On A Detour With This One Mistake?

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...
How To Connect With Your Audience Like The President

How To Connect With Your Audience Like The President

The Long Term Impact Of The Internet On The Words We Use (WARNING: The following post includes a discussion of past presidents and a major shift in their messaging styles. There is not a single reference to politics here, and that’s by design. This is an...