A presentation that doesn’t start with impact is like a plane that doesn’t take off. You may have the fuel, the pilot and the passengers but the journey doesn’t begin until the wheels leave the ground. As a presenter, you have the same challenge as the pilot; you have to get that plane off the[…]
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Communication Skills category
Would you like to open your presentation with impact?
Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Feb 09, 2019
Mastering the Art of Digital Presentations in Business
Communication Skills, Leadership, Presentation Skills Feb 04, 2019
In today’s world, virtual meetings and digital presentations are the norm. Presenting face to face is often an onerous task for even the most experienced business professional. Now we are increasingly called on to do it digitally. – Get close to the camera, but not too close. – Make eye contact, project energy and make[…]
Presentation Content – make sure yours is compelling
Communication Skills, Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Jan 23, 2019
How rich and compelling is your presentation content? The prerequisite to a brilliant presentation, before focusing on delivery, is to ensure that your message is supported by rich, relevant and rewarding content. Sometimes it can be helpful learning from the mistakes of other professionals. I recently attended a conference which was designed to show leaders[…]
Presentation mistakes to avoid when presenting to the boss
Communication Skills, Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Jan 13, 2019
Presentation mistakes are very easy to make, especially when presenting to the boss. I still remember the very first time I was invited to make a presentation to my senior management team. I couldn’t sleep for days. My mind was filled with dread and every nerve, cell and fibre of my entire being felt like[…]
Don’t just present, make a few waves too
Communication Skills, Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Nov 25, 2018
If you are called on to present soon, take a moment to ponder on the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson: ‘Waves are inspiring not because they rise and fall, but because each time they fall they never fail to rise again.’ When it comes to presenting our ideas with clarity, confidence and impact, many of[…]
4 Keys to Successful Company Summits or Conferences
Communication Skills, Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Oct 21, 2018
Company summits and leadership conferences present an invaluable platform to inspire, enthuse and rally the troops. Whether you’re celebrating success or need that extra lift to meet your business targets, the vital ingredient required for success is communication. The courageous leaders understand that it’s not an expense, it’s a visionary investment. Most shy away[…]
Meghan Markle: The power of a smile in public speaking
Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Sep 23, 2018
Meghan Markle showed us the power, grace and beauty of a smile in her first big speech as a member of the Royal family. Without notes, prompters, slides or a script she spoke for 3 minutes in the most charismatic and authentic way. I believe one of the many reasons which made this short[…]
The critical role of leadership in presentation skills training
Communication Skills, Leadership, Presentation Skills Aug 28, 2018
The need for leadership in presentation skills is profoundly evident in the workplace today. Every day, in businesses all over the world professionals find themselves presenting in: – Meetings – Conference calls – Conferences – Networking functions – Important staff and management updates – Pitches to clients Outside of those scenarios, arguably every conversation is[…]
The Most Important Word in High Impact Presenting
Anxiety, Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Jul 22, 2018
The penultimate word in the series of The A to Z of Mindful Presenting is arguably the most important; it’s YES. One of my wife’s favourite TV programmes is an American series called ‘Say Yes to the Dress’. The TV show revolves around Kleinfeld Bridal, the Manhattan-based bridal salon where, ‘more than 250 professionals, most[…]
Presenting in business meetings is a challenge
Communication Skills, Leadership, Presentation Skills May 22, 2018
For decades presenting in business meetings has been far too lacklustre. I’m generalising of course, although I’m not exaggerating. Despite the widely acclaimed power of storytelling, presence and mindfulness, many professionals still insist on donning their corporate spokesperson cloaks. The result of which is that many lose their sense of selves and tell their audience[…]
Mindful Presenting – 9 Ways to RESPECT your Audience
Communication Skills, Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Apr 08, 2018
The first commandment of mindful presenting is, to respect your audience. The most precious resource we all have, is of course time. Each time we present we are using peoples most valuable asset, time. We live in such a fast-paced world with so many demands on our time that we scarcely find moments to value[…]
6 powerful principles of persuasion in presenting
Communication Skills, Leadership, Presentation Skills Mar 25, 2018
If you are presenting or speaking in public in any form, it’s highly likely that persuasion is high on your agenda. Whatever your position and role is in the workplace today, you can be sure that you will be required to persuade others to understand your perspective and agree with you. Whether you are pitching[…]
Stephen Hawking – The A to Z of Mindful Presenting: O – Original
Communication Skills, Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Mar 17, 2018
Stephen Hawking is a name that will be remembered for an extraordinarily long time to come. A British cosmologist and physicist loved, admired and respected all over the world for his notable scientific work was also a brilliant public speaker. World class public speaking is normally associated with political leaders or motivational speakers Last week[…]
Donald Trump’s State of the Union: Public speaking progress?
Communication Skills, Leadership, Public Speaking Feb 03, 2018
Donald Trump the 45th President of the United States gave his first State of the Union Address this week. As a public speaking coach with far more of a passion for what we can all learn from the rhetoric of world leaders than their politics I find myself called to tune into them. I believe[…]
High Impact Communication Skill in Leadership
Communication Skills, Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Jan 28, 2018
Excellent communication skills in leadership is vitally important to success. The ability to communicate with confidence, clarity and emotional intelligence is our strongest leverage in such a competitive world. Please don’t make the mistake of buying into the idea that to be a leader you have to have people working for you. That’s one type[…]
Connecting is the key to high impact presenting
Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Nov 11, 2017
Connecting is the key to high impact presenting Before each presentation skills training course or public speaking coaching session we run at Mindful Presenter, we ask every client one very important question. ‘What do you want your audience to feel?’ More often than not, the typical responses we hear are: informed, engaged or interested. At[…]
The 10 Financial Presentation Mistakes That Instantly Undermine Your Credibility
Advice, Communication Skills, Presentation Skills Oct 15, 2017
Presenting financial information or any complex data can be risky business The route to success revolves around a high level of mindfulness. When you are presenting financial information, begin with this question. What precisely does my audience really need to know and why do they need to know it? Being blinded by a sea of[…]
The presentation anxiety phenomenon – where content matters
Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Sep 23, 2017
Presentation anxiety is probably the most written about issue when it comes to public speaking Storytelling, structure and style pale into insignificance compared to requests we receive to help professionals calm their presention anxiety and nerves. Despite the ubiquity of presentation anxiety, at Mindful Presenter we have noticed an interesting phenomenon. When we ask professionals[…]
The Presentation Anxiety Solution – 8 Pre-mortem steps
Anxiety, Communication Skills, Presentation Tips Sep 10, 2017
Have you been looking for the presentation anxiety solution? Presentation anxiety is one of the most commonly resported sources of stress in the workplace today. The symptoms of presentation anxiety can be alarming. So much so, that some people feel anxious for weeks or months before a presentation. Many will go out of their way[…]
Louise Hay – A Powerful Message for Public Speakers
Communication Skills, Leadership, Public Speaking Sep 02, 2017
Louise Hay, the American motivational author, speaker and founder of Hay House, passed away earlier this week. Loved by millions of people, she will always be known as one of the founders of the self-help movement. I’d like to recognise and honour her talent and gift as a speaker. Occaisionally the world presents us with[…]
The Story Behind Mindful Presenter
Anxiety, Communication Skills, Leadership, Mindfulness, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Jul 22, 2017
How a single moment exposed a global issue and ignited a movement. A Journey Begins in the Sun Two weeks in the Cypriot sun have a way of softening the noise of life. Warm sea, quiet mornings, and the kind of stillness that lets your mind wander to places you’ve been too busy to[…]
Do You Have the Leadership Presentation Skills Your Team Truly Needs?
Communication Skills, Leadership, Presentation Skills Jun 24, 2017
For years, organisations have dismissed presentation skills as a “soft skill.” At Mindful Presenter, we believe that the label is not only misleading but also dangerous. There is nothing soft about communication; it is the hardest, most consequential skill a leader uses every single day. Whether you look to Maslow’s hierarchy or Tony Robbins’[…]
Would You Like to Be a Better Public Speaker?
Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Jun 18, 2017
Have you ever felt that flicker inside, the quiet belief that you could be a far more confident, compelling, and influential speaker than you are today? Many people feel it. They sense there’s another version of themselves waiting to step forward… but something keeps it just out of reach. At Mindful Presenter, we believe[…]
Mindful Presenting: The Skill That Separates Ordinary Communicators from Extraordinary Leaders
Communication Skills, Mindfulness, Public Speaking Jun 11, 2017
Imagine the scene. It’s Friday morning. It’s been a long, relentless week, the kind that drains your energy in slow, invisible increments. The only thing keeping you going is the thought of sinking into your sofa in a few hours, away from the noise, the pressure, the sameness. You’re halfway through that soothing image when[…]
Do You Have Bad Speaking Habits Without Realising It?
Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Apr 08, 2017
Most presenters don’t lose their audience because of weak ideas; they lose them because of the noise they create unwittingly. Noise is the silent killer of communication. It shows up in your slides, your structure, your delivery, and even your mindset. Many professionals don’t realise they’re creating it. Here are three of the most common[…]
Break the Habit: How Mindful Presenters Rise Above the Noise
Communication Skills, Mindfulness, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Mar 11, 2017
Poor presentation habits are widespread. You don’t have to look far to spot them; in fact, most professionals have at least one habit they wish they could break. When people approach us to enhance their communication skills, anxiety is usually their initial concern, but their second, often more persistent worry, is the set of[…]
8 examples of very influential and powerful public speakers
Communication Skills, Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Mar 08, 2017
I’d like to share 8 examples of some of the worlds most influential and powerful public speakers. Each of them lead the way in showing us how to speak with power, passion and grace. They have also been instrumental in changing the world, each in their own unique way. Michelle Obama I wrote a previous[…]
The Presenter’s Guide to Handling Difficult Questions Under Pressure
Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips Feb 19, 2017
Most presenters aren’t derailed by their material; they’re thrown off by a single question. One moment you’re in control; the next, your mind is scrambling for clarity, your confidence evaporates, and the room suddenly feels colder. It’s remarkable how quickly a solid presentation can be overshadowed by a question you weren’t ready for. That’s why[…]
Speak to Lead: The Communication Advantage Every Professional Needs
Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Feb 11, 2017
The ability to speak effectively in public is no longer optional. It is one of the most powerful career boosters available to any professional. Whether you realise it or not, people judge you and your entire organisation by the clarity, confidence, and emotional intelligence in your communication. In a world flooded with information, merely presenting[…]
Why Speaking Up Feels Hard — And How to Do It Anyway
Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Nov 28, 2016
Have you ever walked away from a conversation wishing you’d spoken up, not to win, not to argue, but simply to honour yourself? Stephen R. Covey once wrote that voice is the pathway to greatness. Not volume or dominance, voice, the ability to express who you are with honesty and confidence. At Mindful Presenter, we[…]
