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[…]
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presentations 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[…]
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[…]
On the morning after the EU referendum, I woke earlier than usual to hear the result. Even before all the votes were counted, it was clear that the UK had chosen to leave the European Union after more than four decades of membership. I’ve never claimed to be politically knowledgeable, but as a public speaking[…]
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[…]
Eloquence at Work: The Skill Everyone Notices but No One Teaches
Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Jun 11, 2016
Eloquence isn’t a word we hear often in the workplace. It sits quietly alongside terms like charisma, presence and gravitas; qualities we admire but rarely define. We tend to associate eloquence with wedding speeches, political campaigns or iconic moments like Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream.” Eloquence isn’t reserved for grand stages It belongs[…]
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[…]
Public speaking isn’t a secret exclusive to the naturally confident. It’s a discipline; a set of fundamentals that most professionals never learn, and even fewer ever master. That’s why some people speak, and nothing changes, while others speak and the room shifts. The difference isn’t talent, it’s understanding how the mind operates, how audiences think,[…]
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[…]
Presentation Lessons from a Preacher: Joel Osteen
Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Apr 29, 2016
Presentation Lessons from a Preacher: Joel Osteen As a presentation skills coach I love to talk. That said, I made a decision many years ago that there are two things I would try my very hardest to avoid speaking about in public. Religion and politics Given that I’m neither a theologian nor a politician most[…]
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[…]
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:[…]
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,[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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.[…]
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[…]
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[…]
How to Make a Powerful First Impression When You Present
Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking May 17, 2015
How long do you really have before your audience forms an impression of you? Five seconds? Ten? Longer? According to researchers at Princeton University, it takes just one-tenth of a second for someone to judge us the moment they see our face. It sounds extreme, but think about the last time you met a[…]
5 Body Language Tips Every Presenter Should Master
Advice, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips, Public Speaking May 01, 2015
There are countless body language tips we could offer presenters, but this article focuses on five of the simplest and most powerful. When there’s a mismatch between what we say and how we say it, the impact of our message is dramatically reduced. People won’t trust what you say if your body contradicts your words.[…]
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[…]
Effective Presentation Planning: Key Strategies for Success
Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Mar 01, 2015
Is presenting at work a source of anxiety for you? In today’s fast-paced corporate environment, many business meetings can be complex and demanding. When asked to speak, the first instinct for many is to fire up their laptops, only to fill slides with every piece of information they know on the subject. We call that[…]
