Speak As Well As You Think

This month we're discussing what to do when you've been asked to give a last-minute meeting or presentation. We look at it through two lenses: The request is last-minute for a quick 5-10 minute update/pitch The request is last-minute for a full-length talk (30-60 minutes) Tune in to listen for some recommendations on how to approach the organization of both, what the most important things to consi...

This month we're keeping it open-ended and talking through some of the biggest communication struggles each of us has faced (that some of you may have too!). We touch on: Practicing the skills when you don't have 'formal presentations' Speaking up and finding the confidence to know you deserve a seat at the table Discussing the impact of both the message and your physical and vocal skills - yes, y...

Welcome back to another year of the Speak As Well As You Think Podcast! This month we're covering social media and how to think about it through the lens of business communications. We'll discuss how social media has changed the way we communicate, the impact it has on business (from the business's side as well as the consumer/client), and the pros and cons of using it.

This month we're back to talk about non-verbal communication skills. We'll discuss what they are, their importance, and how to use them. We'll also discuss how we can flex them in different settings in addition to different cultures.

This month Jacqueline Farrington, founder of Farrington Partners and previous TEDx speaker coach, joins the team to talk about rehearsal habits that effective speakers use to prepare. We'll discuss why practicing is so important, the best steps for rehearsing effectively, how to manage nervousness and practice with it in your routine, and finally when to start practicing.

This month our team is discussing confidence. We discuss why it's important for effective communication and how it can be built when you don't naturally feel you have it. We then discuss specific ways you can practice weekly to improve your own confidence. We wrap the episode up by talking about nervousness and how to use confidence to overcome it.

This month's episode is really exciting because we're talking about learning new behaviors or skills via the competency model. We'll talk about why people avoid learning new things because they don't want to feel like a beginner. We'll define the competency model, how it works, and why we can't skip steps in the process. And then we'll dive into how to identify a skill gap, and how to go about imp...

This month we're talking about digital communication and how it's evolved over the years. We are in the digital communication age and there are plenty of benefits to being here, but we'll also discuss some of the downfalls. We'll provide some ways you can continue to grow with this style of communication, but others to keep in your toolbox that can be just as, if not more, effective.

In this month's episode, we're going to discuss: The differences between persuasion and influence. How to improve your ability to influence. Why persuasion is necessary and how to do it tactfully based on your audience. What persuading and influencing can look like, and the benefits of using both.

This month we're back to talk about entertainment and presenting, and how you can use both to your advantage! We discuss why entertainment is important, what different kinds of play look like, and how to consider your options based on your audience. Listen in for tips on how to begin incorporating them now.

This month, John, Matt, and I discussed conversational communication. Listen in to hear: When you should use conversational communication and when to be cautious of sounding too casual. How to match and read the tone of the person or people you're speaking with. How to improve your conversational communication abilities. Interested in hearing other communications topics? Email and let us know!

In this month's episode, John, Matt, and I talk about the use of PowerPoint slides and visual messages. We discuss why using presentation slides can be a great option and how to avoid some common pitfalls. You'll get tips on creating engaging slides and how to apply small changes to existing decks for impact. Tune in to hear how to use visual messages appropriately, and remember, PowerPoint is not...

In Season 2, episode 2, John and Matt join me to talk about the power of awkward pauses. We discuss why people avoid pausing and why that’s an issue, how long pauses can and should be, the connection between pausing and emotional intelligence, and how you can begin practicing longer pauses today.

In this episode, John Vautier joins me to discuss improving your speaking skills through purposeful practice. Because speaking skills (verbal and nonverbal) are physical, they can be practiced in the same way you would practice for a sport. Specifically, we talk about what deliberate practice is, common practice mistakes we see professionals make, and how to incorporate practice into your everyday...

In episode 11, Jenn Alex joins me to discuss business writing. We discuss why business writing is an essential skill for all professionals, two questions you need to ask before you write, how to structure your writing to increase readership, a simple framework you can use to format your writing, and seven common business writing mistakes we see.

In episode 10, John Vautier joins me to discuss the challenges of business meetings and what you can do to lead and facilitate them in a way that creates engagement and moves work forward. Specifically, we discuss the reasons why meetings have a bad reputation, why defining the purpose of your meeting is so important, a simple framework for 'opening' your meeting, strategies for engaging people th...

In episode 9, Jennifer Alex joins me to talk about our Executive Communication Skills program. We've been running this training program for more than 15 years, and we want to give you a peek into what that program is like, what skills are taught, and how we coach those who go through it. If you're interested in participating in this program, we're hosting an open-enrollment one on October 18-19 in...

In this episode, John Vautier joins me to talk about listening skills. John shares two common misconceptions professionals have about listening, techniques you can use to be a better listener in scenarios that make it difficult to listen, and then offers some advice on what you can do starting today to be a better listener. If you're interested in our group-based listening skills program, visit ww...

In this episode, Jenn Alex joins me to talk about nerves & anxiety related to speaking and presenting. We discuss where nerves come from, the impact they can have on how you're perceived, the role of mindset in overcoming nerves, and a few practical tips on how to set yourself up for success in spite of feeling nervous.

In this episode, Jenn Alex joins me to talk about forms of influence. Forms of influence are the devices you use in persuasive messaging to help your listeners understand your perspective or buy into your recommendation or proposal. Jenn will share what the forms of influence are, which to use, how many to use, and when to use them. If you've enjoyed this podcast, you'll love our in-person present...

Shulunda Gibson, Owner of The Speech & Voice Care Center of Houston, joins me to talk about the role your voice plays in how you show up as a professional and shares an exercise you can do to improve the clarity of your speech. You can find Shulunda... Instagram.com/speakitwithshulie speechandvoicecenter.com TikTok: ShulieGib

In this episode, John Vautier joins me to talk about why executives seek out coaching on their communication skills, how they manage those coaching sessions, and what we can all learn about being more effective when communicating up to executives. Special Announcement: We're hosting a live 2-day open-enrollment presentation skills training in Columbus, OH on July 11 - July 12. Learn more and regis...

In episode 3, John Vautier joins me to talk about why you should broaden your definition of a "presentation". We then discuss the pros and cons of various presentation options, including slides, handouts, and whiteboarding.

In this episode, I'll share eight specific scenarios that justify using presentation slides. Too many business professionals default to using presentation slides, when there are times other mediums would be a more effective way to deliver their message. Are you overusing presentation slides? Listen to find out.

In this episode, I invite my co-coach, Jenn Alex, to the show to talk about what great presenters do to stand out from the rest. Specifically, we discuss what it means to flex your delivery to your audience, two strategies to create a great experience for your audience, and the value of leaving verbal breadcrumbs throughout your presentation delivery.