Analysis of a (Very Short) Speech by Hans Rosling
Hans Rosling is a Swedish doctor, statistician, public speaker and Professor of International Health at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. He is also one of the best known presenters at TED. Rosling has a passion and a gift for making complicated data interesting and understandable for his audiences. As Rosling modestly says, “Having the data […]
Ten Tips on Using Body Language When Delivering a Speech
Today’s post features some valuable advice about your body language when delivering a speech or presentation. It comes from my friend, Douglas Kruger. Douglas, who hails from South Africa, is a speaker, author and trainer. In his three-minute video below, Douglas demonstrates several simple but powerful techniques that you can use to enhance your message the next […]
Quotes for Public Speakers (No. 134) – Nick Morgan
“Speakers find joy in public speaking when they realize that a speech is all about the audience, not the speaker. … Most speakers are so caught up in their own concerns and so driven to cover certain points or get a certain message across that they can’t be bothered to think in more than a […]
Great Souvenir (and Excuse) from a Presidential Speech
Here’s a great story. Eleven-year-old Tyler Sullivan from Minnesota skipped school last week to go with his father to see President Obama deliver a speech at a local plant. After the speech, Tyler met Obama. The President realized that Tyler was missing school in order to come listen to his speech. And so, Obama did a […]
Quotes for Public Speakers (No. 133) – Pythagoras
“Do not say a little in many words, but a great deal in a few.” Pythagoras
Lessons from the Podium
Last year, Stephen D. Cohen, author of Lessons from the Podium, kindly sent me a copy of his book. A hectic schedule and already-bulging reading list kept me from getting to it until recently. Lessons from the Podium is a quick read. It is only 110 pages long (excluding endnotes) but with several blank pages and […]
Quotes for Public Speakers (No. 132) – Sissel Kyrkjebø
“I remember the first time I saw Plácido Domingo. I was sitting in a stadium and we were about 8,000 or 9,000 people. I was sitting in the middle, with people all around, but I felt that he was singing only for me.”
The Mark of a Champion
The past several weeks found me very busy preparing for the Toastmasters District 59 International Speech Contest. The final was held in Poznań, Poland and I was one of the eleven finalists. It was a terrific event with great educational sessions, exciting contests and terrific people. It is wonderful to come together with 300+ individuals […]
Quotes for Public Speakers (No. 131) – John Cleese
“If I can get you to laugh with me, you like me better, which makes you more open to my ideas. And if I can persuade you to laugh at the particular point I make, by laughing at it, you acknowledge its truth.” John Cleese Photo courtesy of Bruce Baker
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