When I ask people to name a memorable speech, they seem to have a brain hiccup. The most common response is to talk about the most recent speech they’ve experienced. If I had to answer the question at this moment… Read More »Quick! Name a Memorable Talk!
Old-fashioned lecture halls generally had one aisle down the middle of the room. And old-fashioned speakers were trained to develop their side of an argument, then give voice to the other side, before coming to their final synthesis. These speakers… Read More »Connect mind and body
Just got back from a kickoff meeting for a global IT project. Thirty people were sitting around a big table. One of the leaders of the meeting said, “Let’s all introduce ourselves. Say your name and tell us some things.”… Read More »How To Say Your Name
Whenever you give yourself a compliment in front of an audience, you run the risk of being seen in a negative light. For instance, telling stories about how you won a big piece of business by being a super salesman… Read More »Don’t Boast
When a projector is out of focus, the images on the screen are fuzzy, leaving the viewer uncertain as to what he is actually seeing. His mind darts from blur to blur trying to make sense of the shapes on the screen.… Read More »Content is King, But Focus is Key
I am working with a pre-clinical group in the pharmaceutical industry. They need to win approval for promising new compounds to be tested in humans, and I am helping them put together a presentation to an in-house committee. If they get the… Read More »5 excuses scientists use about presenting–and why they’ve got to change their thinking