‘The Curse of Knowledge’ is one of the biggest obstacles presenters face, and most don’t even realise they’re under its spell. We see it every week in our workshops. In simple terms, the curse is the assumption that other people know what you know, and it tricks you into believing your audience understands you[…]
Posts by:
Maurice Decastro
Why Every High-Impact Presentation Begins with Strategy
Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Feb 28, 2016
Having a clear, compelling and concentrated presentation strategy isn’t a luxury. It’s the foundation of every successful business presentation. Without it, even the smartest content collapses under its own weight. The problem is that “strategy” has been written about so endlessly, and often so unnecessarily complexly, that many people feel intimidated by the word before[…]
The 3 Bad Presentation Habits That Quietly Destroy Your Impact
Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Feb 14, 2016
Every presenter wants to connect with their audience, and every audience wants to be engaged, yet three habits continue to sabotage even the most well-intentioned speakers. These habits aren’t dramatic, they’re subtle and often creep in unnoticed, quietly draining the life out of your message. Let’s bring them into the light. Bad Habit 1:[…]
Presenting With Confidence Starts in the Mind
Mindfulness, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Feb 06, 2016
Presentation skills are no longer a “nice to have.” They are a defining factor in personal and professional success, as the ability to present with confidence is the platform on which we influence, persuade, and inspire others. The days when strong presentation skills were merely useful are long gone; today, they are essential. Despite their[…]
How to Transform the Dreaded Monthly Update Into Something People Actually Want to Hear
Advice Jan 31, 2016
For many professionals, presenting the monthly update feels less like communication and more like a ritual. It’s the last Friday of the month, and everyone sits in the same seats around the same table. The agenda barely changes, and one by one, people go around the room and say largely the same things they[…]
Authenticity is one of the most admired qualities in leadership and public speaking. When someone speaks with honesty and presence, we feel it immediately. It’s refreshing, human and memorable, but authenticity isn’t as simple as “just be yourself.” If only it were Audiences today are highly discerning. They can sense insincerity instantly and disengage the[…]
Who would have thought it possible to ‘wow’ your audience in less than 2 minutes So much has been written about the skill of speaking and presenting in public. I’ve written over 100 articles myself in the last year alone. I’ve written an entire series about the ‘Art and Science of Presenting’, opening, closing, storytelling,[…]
Presenting is only as complex as you make it Our clients often present a similar opening challenge to us with each enquiry: “Our work is very technical and complex to explain. It is important to ensure that we are able to simplify our message and communicate it clearly.” We get it, every business is unique[…]
Presenting Words of Wisdom from Public Speaking Masterminds
Advice, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips Dec 31, 2015
Do you know a presentation mastermind? We all have people who we admire and respect in our chosen passion. I have quite a few. Many are authors, speakers or leaders who are making a difference in the world. As a presentation skills coach it wouldn’t surprise you that I like a presentation mastermind. I’ve written[…]
Here are 5 Presentation lessons from fastcompany.com Presenting is about crafting and delivering a persuasive message with meaningful stories. After all, there’s not much point in delivering an Oscar winning performance if your objective is to lead your audience into action and they simply applaud and do nothing. The following 5 Presentation lessons from fastcompany.com[…]
Tthe following 5 presentation nuggets from forbes.com will serve you well the next time you are asked to present. 1. Believe in Your Audience “Employees mirror the enthusiasm, determination, and direction of a leader who shares innate confidence in their competence. With this understanding, employees learn to “act their parts” and exemplify the underlying[…]
Here are 5 presentation gems from Inc.com Each of the following extracts from Inc.com will help you to raise the bar on your own presentation performance: 1. Present like a GPS, not like a road map “A GPS shows you just the information you absolutely need to know at that moment. The key is simplicity,[…]
How to Turn a Boring Subject into a Brilliant Presentation
Advice, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips, Public Speaking Dec 26, 2015
Do you know how to turn a boring subject into a brilliant presentation? Here’s the truth most professionals never want to admit: There is no such thing as a boring topic, only a boring approach. You can speak about algorithms, algebra or actuarial science and still captivate an audience. Your presentation will only ever be[…]
The Future of High-Impact Presenting Is Mindfulness
Communication Skills, Leadership, Mindfulness, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Dec 19, 2015
Search “presentation skills” on Amazon, and you’ll drown in more than 40,000 results. Google multiplies that into a billion, and yet, despite this ocean of advice, most of it still circles the same shallow waters: – Keep your hands out of your pockets. – Don’t fidget. – Just be yourself – Make eye contact. It’s[…]
Think back over the last three months. How many business presentations genuinely gave you what you needed, clearly, concisely, and with respect for your time? How many were padded with: – information you already knew – unnecessary detail – repetition – self-promotion – content that wasn’t relevant – very little actual value If you’re like[…]
Presenting With Impact: The Power of Presence
Advice, Mindfulness, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Nov 28, 2015
Presenting with impact doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but it is within everyone’s reach. The key is presence At Mindful Presenter, we define presence as a blend of poise, self-assurance and emotional connection. It’s the ability to make people feel your message and understand it. Presence is credibility, authority and likability woven together; the[…]
In our training workshops, one request comes up again and again: “Can you help me answer questions with confidence?” Most presentations involve a Q&A, and for many professionals, it’s the part they fear most. After investing hours crafting their message, this is the moment they feel exposed. What if: – They ask something I don’t[…]
There are many potential obstacles to high-impact presenting, and the good news is that every single one of them can be overcome. Here are four of the most common barriers professionals face, and how to move past them. Mindfulness (or the absence of it) Far too many professionals don’t prepare presentations; they survive them.[…]
Presentation lessons surround us everywhere. If there is grandeur involved, you can be sure there is something you can take to your next presentation. That includes Bonfire Night. If you’re visiting a professional display this bonfire night watch carefully. There will be valuable presentation lessons right in front of you. I was spoiled by[…]
Public Speaking and Presenting Lessons from Halloween
Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Nov 01, 2015
For many people, presenting and public speaking can feel as scary as Halloween. As we approach Halloween, households all over the world have begun preparations. Huge trays and tubs are being filled with sweets. Pumpkins are being strategically placed by front doors. I’m also getting ready for the frenzy. Last year our door bell[…]
10 Traits of Highly Successful Speakers and Presenters
Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Oct 24, 2015
Highly successful speakers aren’t defined by natural talent alone. After years of speaking alongside them, coaching them, and watching them up close, one truth becomes unmistakable: they treat speaking as a craft. They work on it deliberately, consistently, and with a level of intention most presenters never consider. Here’s what they do differently. 1. They[…]
For years, something about the monthly meeting I attend at work never sat right. There was a pattern; predictable, familiar, and quietly unproductive. The same people sat in the same seats, month after month, as though the chairs were assigned by invisible ink. Managers delivered long lists of KPIs, most of which had little relevance[…]
Apple has long been hailed as one of the most innovative, influential and admired companies in the world. If you’ve ever used any of their products it’s pretty easy to understand why. I’ve often heard it said that when you’re talking about some of the most advanced and popular products on the planet, it’s[…]
Everything in business has changed, except the way many people present. Technology has advanced, markets have shifted, and leadership expectations have evolved, yet the culture of presenting in many organisations remains rooted in the past. This raises a difficult but essential question: Has your organisation kept pace with the times, or are you inadvertently adding[…]
What you say matters enormously, but how you say it can either elevate your message or quietly dismantle it. Most presenters know they should stand tall, smile, and avoid crossing their arms. Confident body language is far more than posture and gestures; it’s about presence, intention, energy, and the way you inhabit the space around[…]
7 Characteristics Exceptional Speakers All Share
Mindfulness, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Aug 09, 2015
Exceptional speakers are surprisingly difficult to find in many organisations today, but when you do encounter one, you know instantly. There’s something unmistakable about them, a presence, a clarity, a generosity, and although each speaker is unique, the very best share a set of powerful characteristics. Here are the seven qualities we believe exceptional presenters[…]
How to Stop Waffling and Start Presenting with Clarity and Purpose
Advice, Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips Aug 02, 2015
The internet is overflowing with presentation tips designed to help professionals eliminate bad habits. You’ll find advice on avoiding filler words, stopping the fidgeting, and resisting the urge to read every bullet point on your slides. One of the most damaging habits rarely gets the attention it deserves: waffling. Waffling is when a presenter speaks[…]
The Secret to Memorable Presenting Is PURPOSE
Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Jul 26, 2015
If you want to deliver a presentation that people actually remember, there’s one secret that sits above all others: PURPOSE. The next time you’re preparing to speak at work, ask yourself a simple but powerful question: “What do I want my audience to remember?” We ask this in every presentation skills workshop, and the most[…]
I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed a sales pitch where the speaker calls the president “incompetent,” labels the competition “stupid,” and then proceeds to insult his own business partners, until now. That’s exactly what Donald Trump did during his rambling speech at the Phoenix Convention Centre last week. With an audience of thousands in[…]
Public Speaking Lessons We Can Learn from President Obama
Communication Skills, Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Jul 12, 2015
There are many public speaking lessons we can learn from President Obama. As a speaker, I’ve never hidden the fact that he stands out to me as one of the most gifted orators of our time. Politics aside, what interests me is how he delivers a message: the structure, emotion, connection and the lessons he[…]
