Tag Archives: public speaking

A lesson from the Toronto Raptors

Posted on 14/06/2019 by

Congratulations to the Toronto Raptors! They are the 2019 NBA Champions. I am delighted for Toronto — where I lived for over 15 years — and for all of Canada.  In a thrilling Final, the Raptors defeated the defending Champion … Continue reading →

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Quotes for Public Speakers (No. 311) – Simone Weil

Posted on 01/06/2019 by

“Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.” — Simone Weil

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3 tips to deal with the room where you speak

Posted on 27/05/2019 by

When we give a speech or presentation, we usually don’t have any control over the room where we speak. We might be able to move chairs and tables or adjust the lighting, but in general, we have to deal with … Continue reading →

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Quotes for Public Speakers (No. 310) – Epictetus

Posted on 25/05/2019 by

“If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.” — Epictetus

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4 lessons from my 20-year-old cat

Posted on 15/05/2019 by

Today, 15 May 2019, is a big day in our family. Our cat Pico is now 20 years old. A significant milestone. According to generally agreed conversion rates, if Pico were human, she would be 96. Most cats don’t make it … Continue reading →

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Transitions in a speech or presentation

Posted on 12/05/2019 by

Have you ever been in the audience listening to a speaker and found yourself lost? You weren’t exactly sure where the speaker was going or how the different points in a speech were connected? There are many possible reasons for … Continue reading →

Posted in Structure | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Authenticity

Posted on 24/04/2019 by

The temptation to be like others is strong. But if we always try to fit in, we will never stand out. We become just one more slice of bread in one more bland, homogenized loaf. And there are millions of … Continue reading →

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Association of Speakers Clubs Conference in Edinburgh

Posted on 22/04/2019 by

As regular readers of this blog know, I co-created a public speaking board game with my good friend and fellow speaker, Florian Mueck: Rhetoric – The Public Speaking Game™. It is available as both a traditional tabletop board game and an app. … Continue reading →

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A conversation with Conor Neill

Posted on 16/04/2019 by

I have just returned home after my annual week teaching public speaking and communication skills at the IESE Executive MBA Programme in Barcelona, Spain. It was my 7th year working with fellow speaking professionals — and dear friends — Tony … Continue reading →

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Quotes for Public Speakers (No. 307) – Tyrion Lannister

Posted on 11/04/2019 by

“When you tear out a man’s tongue, you are not proving him a liar; you’re only telling the world that you fear what he might say.” — Tyrion Lannister, Game of Thrones

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A giant leap forward in your public speaking

Posted on 09/04/2019 by

There is a lot to learn about public speaking. The fact that I have been writing this blog for 10 years is testament to that. And no matter how much you learn, no matter how good you become, you will … Continue reading →

Posted in Audience, Delivery | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Quotes for Public Speakers (No. 306) – Theodore Roosevelt

Posted on 05/04/2019 by

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, … Continue reading →

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