Many people believe public speaking is a matter of confidence and that if they simply “speak from the heart,” everything else will fall into place. It’s a comforting idea, and there’s truth in it, but it’s also the reason so many presentations fall flat. Speaking from the heart is powerful only when it’s supported[…]
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presentationskills tag
Most ideas don’t perish because they’re wrong; they perish because they’re presented in a manner that never allows them to flourish. In every workplace, the true differentiator isn’t intelligence, experience, or even creativity. It’s whether you can make another person feel the importance of what you’re saying, at the moment you’re saying it. We[…]
Why Presenting Is the Most Human and Most Misunderstood Skill at Work
Advice, Presentating training, Presentation Skills Jul 04, 2017
There is a moment in every working day when something far more significant than we admit takes place: someone steps forward and tries to make their thinking land in someone else’s mind. Someone presents in the doorway before a meeting starts, in a rushed Teams call between tasks, in a high‑stakes boardroom, or in a[…]
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[…]
Millennials. Centennials. Generation Z. Call them what you like, but let’s be honest about one thing: they are the future, and the future will rise or fall on the quality of leadership they receive today. Last night, I had the pleasure of hearing Simon Sinek in conversation with Reggie Yates at Union Chapel in London.[…]
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[…]
Every meaningful act of communication begins with a single decision: to step forward when staying silent would be easier. Most of us were never taught how to stand in front of others and speak with clarity, conviction, or presence. For many, the very idea triggers a quiet dread, a fear of being seen, judged, or[…]
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[…]
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[…]
From a purely public-speaking perspective, President Trump’s inauguration address was clear, decisive, and delivered at a controlled pace, with a strong emphasis and moments of deliberate pause. Aside from his familiar finger‑and‑thumb gesture, a hallmark of his campaign style, he appeared disciplined, almost as if he had stepped straight out of a presentation‑skills workshop. His[…]
A Masterclass in Public Speaking: Lessons from President Obama’s Farewell Address
Advice Jan 14, 2017
For years, I’ve written about the craft of public speaking, and one figure appears again and again in that conversation: President Barack Obama. His command of language, his mastery of the pause, his instinct for metaphor, his use of humour, repetition, voice and gesture. These are hallmarks of a communicator who understands not just how[…]
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[…]
Effective presenting isn’t about charisma, theatrics or perfect slides. It’s about understanding how human beings think, decide and act. Strip away the noise, and every impactful presentation is built on three pillars: Facts Feelings Future Learn to use these well, and you shift the entire energy of the room — including your own. Facts —[…]
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[…]
This article explores leadership communication and the impact of language. It is not a commentary on politics, policy or ideology. Yesterday Donald Trump demonstrated unequivocally the impact the spoken word can have not only on a country but the entire world. Every so often, the world is reminded of something profoundly simple yet deeply powerful:[…]
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[…]
One of the most common concerns in public speaking is the fear of developing “bad habits.” In fact, it consistently ranks among the top three requests we receive from delegates at every presentation skills workshop. “How can I get rid of my bad presenting habits?” Most people assume they have at least one. Many[…]
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[…]
Much has been written about the extraordinary oratory skills of Barack Obama. But anyone who has watched Michelle Obama speak knows she is equally capable of commanding a room with clarity, grace and emotional intelligence. During the 2016 Democratic National Convention, she delivered a speech that captivated millions. It was heartfelt, disciplined and deeply human;[…]
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[…]
