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.[…]
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presentationskills tag
What Brilliant Leaders and Exceptional Presenters Have in Common
Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Jul 21, 2016
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
‘The Curse of Knowledge’ is one of the biggest obstacles presenters face, and most don’t even realise they’re under its spell. We see it every week in our workshops. In simple terms, the curse is the assumption that other people know what you know, and it tricks you into believing your audience understands you[…]
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[…]
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[…]
The Future of High-Impact Presenting Is Mindfulness
Communication Skills, Leadership, Mindfulness, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Dec 19, 2015
Search “presentation skills” on Amazon, and you’ll drown in more than 40,000 results. Google multiplies that into a billion, and yet, despite this ocean of advice, most of it still circles the same shallow waters: – Keep your hands out of your pockets. – Don’t fidget. – Just be yourself – Make eye contact. It’s[…]
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[…]
Presenting With Impact: The Power of Presence
Advice, Mindfulness, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Nov 28, 2015
Presenting with impact doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but it is within everyone’s reach. The key is presence At Mindful Presenter, we define presence as a blend of poise, self-assurance and emotional connection. It’s the ability to make people feel your message and understand it. Presence is credibility, authority and likability woven together; the[…]
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.[…]
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[…]
