Credible Vs Approachable

Credible Vs Approachable

Michael Grinder, one of the gurus of body language and non verbal communication talks about different things that people do in their non verbal communication that will make them appear approachable or credible. Clearly at different stages of a speech you will want to be approachable. But at other stages, you will certainly want to be more credible. So knowing …

Instrument of Speech

Your Voice Is Your Instrument of Speech

When you undertake speaking, training or presenting, your voice is your number one tool. It is the instrument that you use to get your message across and like any other profession or task, it is import that you maintain and treat that equipment properly. Here are a couple of tips to keep you voice in peek condition Warm up. You …

Reduce Your Filler Words

Reduce Your Filler Words

There are lots of words and phrases that we use when speaking that are simply not required and frankly can become quite distracting. The classics of course are the uhm’s and the ah’s. These are sometimes extended by adding “and uhm or so ah”. Other filler words included actually, obviously, you know, etc etc, like and OK then. When you …

Our Limits Are Of Our Own Making

Ellen Langer is a psychologist who has researched, written and had great impact in the area of mindfulness.  Her work has demonstrated the profound impact of being more mindful and how increasing our own mindful behavior can result in increased health, wellbeing, confidence and competence. She is famous for saying “Our limits are of our own making”. In relation to …

Questions, Public speaking and presentation tips

Use Questions To Keep Your Audience Awake

I was at a presentation last year and was reminded that the concentration span of the average person in your audience is around 10 minutes. So every 10 minutes they drift off and think about what they should be doing at work, what is for lunch, what they have planned for the weekend and other unrelated stuff. So as a …

body posture and gesture

Be Aware Of Your Body, Posture And Gestures

Watch this recent Ted Talks video to understand the full power and importance of your posture, gestures and body language. As many of you now, I continually talk about body language and its importance when speaking, presenting or even at job interviews and other meetings. It is quite amazing to think your posture and body language can determine if you …