When did a business presentation last make you sit up and pay attention? Many presentations feel less like conversations and more like lectures; dense, data-heavy, and emotionally flat. Yet every day, in the background of our lives, we’re exposed to some of the most compelling storytelling on the planet. Great TV adverts In just[…]
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Presentation Skills category
What TV Adverts Understand About Storytelling That Presenters Forget
Presentation Skills, Public Speaking, Storytelling Apr 17, 2017
How Some of the World’s Most Accomplished People Learned to Calm Their Public Speaking Nerves
Anxiety, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Apr 15, 2017
Public speaking nerves don’t discriminate. They affect new speakers, experienced leaders, and even some of the most talented performers around. Mark Twain captured it perfectly when he said: “There are two types of speakers: those who are nervous and those who are liars.” He wasn’t exaggerating. Barbra Streisand, one of the highest‑selling female recording artists[…]
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[…]
Article 50: How Memorable Was Theresa May’s Speech on a Historic Day?
Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Apr 01, 2017
There are moments in public life when the words spoken become part of the historical record. The triggering of Article 50 was one of those moments. A year earlier, most people in the UK had never heard of Article 50. Yet when the Prime Minister formally announced the Government’s decision to invoke it, the country[…]
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[…]
The Strategic Power of Storytelling in Business
Advice, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips, Public Speaking, Storytelling Feb 04, 2017
In a world drowning in information, storytelling has quietly become one of the most powerful strategic tools a presenter can use. Professionals are overwhelmed, attention is scarce, and most messages vanish the moment they are delivered, but a good story, a meaningful story, cuts through the noise. If you still think stories are only[…]
Michelle Obama’s Final Speech Analysis: A Masterclass in Hope, Courage and Public Speaking
Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Jan 07, 2017
Michelle Obama and her husband Barack Obama have long been two of my favourite public speakers. Few people consistently combine passion, eloquence, and grace. Whenever either of them steps up to a podium, you can be sure you’ll witness clarity, conviction, and humanity in equal measure. Her concluding speech as First Lady was no exception[…]
Why I Disagree with Simon Sinek About Millennials — With Respect
Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Jan 04, 2017
My son knows my passion for public speaking, so when he pointed me toward a Simon Sinek video, I was excited. I admire Sinek. I’ve learned a great deal from him, but fifteen minutes in, I felt something I didn’t expect: discomfort. Not because he’s wrong about everything, but because his conclusions about millennials felt[…]
There is no shortage of public speaking advice on the internet, in magazines and book stores today. In fact, I have written over 300 articles myself for mindfulpresenter.com and other online publications. I’d like to share some of my favourite public speaking advice from other respected authors in the field of communication skills. Carmine Gallo[…]
What Social Media Can Teach Us About High-Impact Presenting
Advice, Presentating training, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips Dec 16, 2016
Social media didn’t just alter how we communicate; it transformed what grabs our attention, what sustains our engagement, and what causes us to switch off. Whether we like it or not, your audience brings those same habits, expectations, and impulses into the room every time you present. If you want to hold their attention, earn[…]
6 Public Speaking Habits to Take Off of Your Naughty List
Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Dec 10, 2016
Are you mindful of your public speaking habits, especially the bad ones? It’s unlikely that a week will pass where you are not called on to either attend of give a presentation. With that in mind, it’s worth becoming aware of your public speaking habits. Get yourself somefeedback through presentation skills coaching or booking yourself[…]
How Mindfulness Transforms Public Speaking: Five Practices That Work
Mindfulness, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Dec 03, 2016
Introducing mindfulness into public speaking is one of the greatest gifts you can offer yourself and your audience. Many people go through their days on autopilot. They wake up at the same time each morning, check their phones before their feet hit the floor, rush through a shower they scarcely remember, swallow breakfast without[…]
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[…]
Is Vulnerability in Public Speaking Something We Should Fear?
Leadership, Mindfulness, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Nov 18, 2016
The brilliant TED Talk, ‘The Power of Vulnerability’ by Brené Brown, offers a simple but profound idea: we are wired for connection and connection requires vulnerability. It challenges the increasingly popular belief that the path to success lies in control, certainty and predictability. Instead, it suggests that the real key to meaningful human connection is[…]
The Public Speaking Phenomenon: Why We Feel Terrified While Looking Confident
Anxiety, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Oct 23, 2016
Are you familiar with one of the most bizarre global public speaking phenomena? It’s the moment when a speaker feels terrified; heart racing, hands trembling, mind spiralling, yet the audience sees someone who appears calm, confident, and in control. It happens far more often than most people realise. This week, during a workshop, one[…]
A Subtle Public Speaking Habit That Quietly Undermines Your Credibility
Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Oct 17, 2016
If you’re attending a business presentation this week, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter one of the most subtle habits in public speaking, a habit that quietly undermines a speaker’s credibility without them realising it. You’ll still notice the familiar problems, of course: speakers turning their backs to the audience while reading every word[…]
The Professionals Guide to Public Speaking & Presenting
Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Sep 10, 2016
A new way to speak, connect and inspire in today’s workplace Presenting has become a daily ritual in modern business, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood skills in the workplace. Every day, across every industry, talented professionals step in front of colleagues and clients armed with slides, scripts, and good intentions… but[…]
The Characteristics of Authentic Public Speakers and Presenters
Leadership, Mindfulness, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Sep 01, 2016
Authenticity is a word we hear everywhere, in leadership, communication, and culture, yet most people struggle to define what it truly means. Audiences today are more perceptive than ever; they can sense when a speaker is merely performing, hiding, or trying too hard. Conversely, they can also recognise when someone is authentically showing up. So,[…]
Do Presidents Need to Be Inspirational Speakers? A Leadership Communication Perspective
Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Aug 21, 2016
Throughout history, American presidents have delivered some of the world’s most memorable and influential speeches. Their words have shaped national identity, offered reassurance in moments of crisis, and inspired generations to act. Barack Obama often spoke of shared values and collective purpose. John F. Kennedy challenged citizens to contribute to something larger than themselves. Franklin[…]
From Hamster to Harmony: The Presentation Skills Lessons I Didn’t Know I’d Written
Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips, Public Speaking Aug 08, 2016
Every now and then, life hands you a moment of quiet clarity, the kind that makes you stop, smile, and wonder how you didn’t see something sooner. For me, that moment came recently when I picked up a book I had written more than a decade ago. In 2006, I sat down to write about[…]
A 60 Minute Masterclass in Public Speaking: Lessons from a Landmark Speech
Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking, Storytelling Jul 31, 2016
When Hillary Clinton closed the 2016 Democratic National Convention, she delivered a speech that offered far more than political messaging. It was a rare, real-time demonstration of how a leader can use structure, storytelling, clarity and emotional intelligence to influence millions. Whatever one’s political views, the speech remains a powerful case study in high-impact public[…]
The Power of Perception: What Presidential Speeches Teach Us About Public Speaking
Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Jul 30, 2016
During the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign, two high‑profile figures shared their vision of “The America I know.” One described a nation defined by courage, optimism, and ingenuity, and the other highlighted concerns about safety, security, and national threats. It’s no surprise that political leaders often see the same country through very different lenses. That contrast[…]
The Power of Storytelling in Public Speaking: Lessons from a Masterful Speech
Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking, Storytelling Jul 29, 2016
It’s no secret that storytelling has become the new superpower in public speaking, business, leadership, politics, and even at home. Stories have always been woven into the fabric of human life. They help us understand the world, empathise with others, and occasionally even transform it. During the 2016 Democratic National Convention, Bill Clinton delivered[…]
Is Public Speaking One of Donald Trump’s Greatest Strengths? A Communication Analysis
Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Jul 25, 2016
Whatever your view on Donald Trump’s politics, personality or leadership style, one thing is undeniable: every time he steps onto a stage, there is something to learn about public speaking. His acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland was no exception. From a communication perspective, it offered a fascinating case study in how[…]
What Brilliant Leaders and Exceptional Presenters Have in Common
Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Jul 21, 2016
Brilliant leaders and exceptional presenters share more in common than most realise. Many believe leadership and presentation skills belong to separate realms, one focused on strategy and direction, the other on communication and delivery. In truth, they are closely connected. Leadership and presenting may be different skills, but when combined, they strengthen each other.[…]
A Communication Coach’s View: What We Can Learn from Two Leadership Speeches
Communication Skills, Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Jul 08, 2016
In September 2016, members of the Conservative Party were preparing to choose the UK’s second female Prime Minister. Two candidates emerged at the forefront of the conversation: Theresa May and Andrea Leadsom. Their political positions and policy priorities were widely discussed, but from a communication perspective, the more interesting question was this: How effectively did[…]
9 Reasons you don’t need a presentation skills coach
Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Jul 02, 2016
Do you need a presentation skills coach? At Mindful Presenter we help professionals who have been presenting extensively for many years to a wide range of audiences. They just want to see if there are any new ‘tools’ to give them ‘the edge’ Others are very new to the skill and are keen to be[…]
