Resources

Resources to help you out

A group of adults in an audience.

Public Speaking

It’s not about you

It can be a relief to know that presentations and speeches aren’t all about you.

A group of post-it notes on a black background. The centre note says “I want more people to donate blood. My point.” The others contain text supporting that point, including an opening and a call to action.

Public Speaking

Get to the point

One of the kindest things you can do for an audience is to Get To...

A human hand is held up to a screen. The shadow that falls is in the shape of a rabbit.

Public Speaking

Tell stories

We told each other stories way before we ever had PowerPoint. Humans are wired to...

Comparing yourself with other speakers can be useful and it can be destructive. If you use comparison to beat yourself up, and stop you speaking up – well, stop it. 😉 Instead, use comparison to see how you could improve your own speaking skills and develop your own style. A good place to start is to identify the strengths you have now, so you know what to keep. Here are some examples I’ve seen in speakers who didn’t realise these were superpowers: Voice projection If you can’t be heard, you won’t get your message across. Enthusiasm Well channelled enthusiasm is very compelling for an audience. If you’re enthusiastic about your subject, they want to know why. Clarity A lot of people mumble! Like voice projection, clarity is a basic but imperative strength. Calmness This means you’re more likely to be able to take notice of your audience and tailor your presentation to how they’re reacting in the moment. Once you know your strengths, you’ll have some confidence to try new things. Then start listening to other speakers you enjoy. Take particular note of what you like about them, then try that thing in your own speaking and tailor it to you. You might not immediately know what the speaker is doing so listen for the bits that grab your interest, then go back and listen again to see if you can figure it out. Often, they are good at pausing, they use simple language, or they repeat their message in different ways… or loads of other things. Comparison is useful when it helps you grow. If you’re stuck on identifying your current strengths, come and work with me.

Public Speaking

How to handle comparison-itis

Comparing yourself with other speakers can be useful and it can be destructive.

If you...

Wooden blocks spell out “THANK YOU.”

Public Speaking

Gratitude without gushing

Lots of us like to include thanks in our speeches, but we’re not sure of...

A woman in a red jacket and sunglasses with a bag over her shoulder faces the camera and holds out a microphone to two bay horses in a paddock behind a waist-high gate.

Public Speaking

Take every opportunity

In the late 2000’s, I made a friend at the local wildlife sanctuary. We used...

An ostrich on an African safari running past the camera.

Public Speaking

Elevator pitches: Clarity is key

Lots of us get opportunities to do elevator pitches – short descriptions of what we...

A small canvas divided into two diagonally and headed “Energy Accounting”. The red side has a list of withdrawals; the purple side has a list of deposits.

Public Speaking

Clarity when using technology

You might remember my pic from another blog illustrating energy accounting. If you’d looked closely,...

A vertical post with the word “MISSION” stencilled on it.

Public Speaking

Am I allowed?

Apparently, we need permission for things…

When I’m coaching someone who’s looking for a job,...

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A woman with her back to the camera and her arms outstretched, stands on a hilltop looking out at a range of mountains.

Set your priorities and thrive

Become the person you want to be