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[…]
Browsing:
leadership tag
Is Public Speaking One of Donald Trump’s Greatest Strengths? A Communication Analysis
Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Jul 25, 2016
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 Tale of Two Speeches: Communication Lessons from a Prime Ministerial Transition
Public Speaking Jul 14, 2016
Yesterday, David Cameron delivered his final speech as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, standing outside Number 10 with his family beside him. Politics aside, it was a moment that highlighted something he has long been recognised for: his ability to communicate with clarity, composure and emotional intelligence. Several years ago, after listening to[…]
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[…]
Another Perspective on Passion: A Communication Lesson from High Energy Speakers
Advice Jun 13, 2016
In every area of life, there are exceptions to the rules we rely on, and public speaking is no different. One of the most widely accepted principles of effective presenting is the importance of passion. Passion brings energy and conviction, and it brings life to a message. Every now and then, a speaker emerges whose[…]
Growing up as a young boy I was lucky enough to have had not just one but two super heroes in my life. If you are under the age of 45 you have probably never heard of my first hero; ‘The Six Million Dollar Man’ aka ‘The Bionic Man’, but you can be forgiven for[…]
Leadership Lessons & High Impact Public Speaking From Charities
Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking May 29, 2016
Leadership lessons are abound in many of the worlds finest charities. Those leadership lessons extend way beyond culture. They impact their presentation and public speaking skills immensely too. At Mindful Presenter our presentation skills training revolves around creating that all important emotional connection as well as an intellectual understanding. Our team consider it an honour and[…]
Public Speaking Is the Most Important Skill in the World Today
Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking May 22, 2016
We live in a world built on communication. Every law, every breakthrough, every movement, every moment of progress began with someone standing up and speaking. Communication changes the world It always has. Whenever a leader brings people together, a teacher sparks curiosity, a parent soothes a child, and a community unites in crisis, it[…]
One of my favourite speakers is the American author, spiritual leader, and political activist Marianne Williamson. As a brilliant speaker and author, Marianne Williamson is passionate about her beliefs and offers great wisdom. She demonstrates this beautifully in her commencement speech to the University of Southern California. Commencement ceremonies aim to inspire young people who[…]
Why Effective Communication Is the Skill That Shapes Your Life, Your Work and Your Impact
Communication Skills, Leadership, Mindfulness, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking May 04, 2016
Communication is the thread that runs through every moment of our lives. It shapes how we think, how we feel, how we relate to others and how we move through the world. It influences our confidence, our relationships, our careers, our opportunities and even our sense of identity. The ability to communicate effectively isn’t a[…]
It’s your attitude that makes all the difference – especially when presenting
Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Apr 21, 2016
I don’t think many people would argue with the idea that it’s your attitude that makes all the difference in life. Your attitude also makes a huge difference when it comes to public speaking and presenting too, which is often something many people overlook. A mindful presenter has an attitude of: Empathy Imagine the shift[…]
Powerful presentation tips may offer the answer to transforming tedious business meetings which leave so many professionals uninspired. A number of readers seemed to empathise with a previous article I wrote, having left comments such as: ‘My previous employer needs to read this’ ‘Whew! I thought it was just me!’ ‘Many companies could take notes[…]
Presenting With Influence: How to Reach Any Audience
Advice, Presentating training, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips Mar 19, 2016
Life is full of great presentation tips. As a child my parents invested enormous energy trying hard to influence so much of my behaviour. At school, it seemed my teachers roles extended way beyond my academic development. They also had a plan to influence my thoughts and behaviour. Even my friends seemed to have their[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
What Michael Gove’s First Speech Can Teach Us About What Not to Do
Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Jul 04, 2015
When Michael Gove delivered his first public speech as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice at the Legatum Institute, he offered every aspiring speaker a valuable lesson, not in what to do, but in what to avoid. Whether you’re a CEO, a senior politician, or a project manager, giving your first[…]
Most presentations die before they even begin. Not because the content is weak or the speaker lacks confidence, but because the presenter starts in the wrong place. They open a laptop, summon a familiar template, and begin arranging boxes on a slide. It feels productive, even responsible. but it’s the fastest way to drain[…]
5 Key Agreements for More Effective Business Meetings
Communication Skills, Leadership, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips Feb 19, 2015
In today’s fast-paced corporate environment, many business meetings serve as complex and demanding decision-making forums. If you spend time in business meetings, you’ve likely noticed a paradox: you must prepare exhaustively for every conceivable outcome while also being ready to improvise in the moment. Understanding Meeting Dynamics You may have experienced three very different types[…]
The Presenter’s Guide to Storytelling That Sticks
Presentation Skills, Public Speaking, Storytelling Feb 08, 2015
Every great presentation hinges on storytelling. As a presenter, harnessing the art of storytelling can significantly elevate your ability to connect with your audience. The Value of Storytelling Throughout history, humans have shared stories to make sense of the world and our place in it. Well-told stories have the power to persuade, evoke emotions,[…]
What It Really Takes to Win Over a Tough Audience
Advice, Presentating training, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips Feb 05, 2015
Have you ever had to manage a tough audience during a business presentation? You might have viewed them as challenging because: – They have more experience than you on the topic. – There are dissenters in the room. – A negative emotional charge hangs in the atmosphere. – You may face difficult or even hostile[…]
When it comes to public speaking, few can measure up to Barack Obama. Whether you agree with his politics or not, he is recognised as a masterful communicator. His ability to inspire and connect with audiences is unparalleled, and his recent State of the Union Address further exemplifies this skill. The Importance of Connection As[…]
