When you’re giving a presentation, your words matter. But the way you gesture with your hands also matters quite a bit. You may not realize it, but your audience will derive a lot of meaning from the way you hold your hands. Body language is very revealing! So it’s important to be aware of what(…)
I think we all use filler speech occasionally. Those are words like “um,” “so,” “you know,” “ah,” and “like.” Some people use them more than others. But in regular conversation, it’s OK. People who use a lot of filler speech take a little extra time to get their point across. But they get there eventually.(…)
Public speaking can be a terrifying thing. It’s hard to get up in front of a group of people and give a speech! It’s a nerve-wracking experience. And if you make a mistake, there are so many witnesses. So it’s no surprise that public speaking is something that many people try to avoid. More than(…)
Standing up in front of a group of people and giving a speech can be a very nerve-wracking experience. It strikes fear in the hearts of more than one in four people (according to a survey of 1,541 adults). And no matter how well you prepare for it, mistakes can still happen. But the good(…)
On May 21, 2014, I was officially installed as the President of a Toastmasters Club. I was charged to lead a board of three other officers and a club of 20 total members. Prior to this, I had never been president of anything. I had no formal leadership experience. For the first time, people were(…)
Do you ever find yourself hesitating to speak up at meetings – especially ones where high-powered colleagues (or “higher ups”) are in attendance? Considering how much time you spend in meetings, maybe it’s time to get back on the dance floor. Here’s how. Choose a topic ahead of time. Pick out one item on the agenda that’s(…)
Need to speak in public? Here are some tips to help you prepare. Does clothing make the speaker? Yes, it really does. While wearing a suit or a dress makes you look professional, sometimes your attire can put you in the wrong frame of mind. For example, if your speech is about something humorous, it(…)