Why leaders should embrace gotcha questions
The long-standing Republican hostility toward the news media was on full display last week after the CNBC GOP presidential debate. And it led them to fall into a trap that tempts many speakers: settling for easy wins instead of preparing for difficult questions. Even...
Putting the ‘numb’ in ‘numbers’: Don’t let statistics sap your speech’s emotional punch
I recently saw a speech by someone clearly accustomed to the public spotlight and comfortable on the stage. She had an important message to deliver about a profound social injustice. She spoke with authority and confidence.And she spent nearly all twenty minutes of...
Why the conventional wisdom will kill your speech dead (and why it can still help)
Tell your friends and family you’re about to write your first speech, and you’ll get a lot of well-intentioned, well-worn advice.“Start with a joke.”“Tell them what you’re going to say, say it, and then tell them what you’ve said.”“If you can’t convince them with...Hi, this is your passion. I’m not available right now, but if you’d like to leave a brief message…
The best 12 words of speaking advice I’ve seen in a long time came from this article: WRITE your speech from the heart. DELIVER your speech from your skill. Your passion is real—but it isn’t always available on command. To convey the passion behind your ideas every time you speak demands skill and practice. Filed … Continue reading →
Why I cartoon
I delivered this short presentation to last November’s Interesting Vancouver event, sandwiched between some of the most, well, interesting people around. This is the first time I’ve ever told an audience why I started cartooning; how my early dreams of...
Why, yes — I’d LOVE to speak at your event
Public speaking and speechwriting: the essential guides
Looking for advice on public speaking, speechwriting and leadership communications? Here are some of my most comprehensive posts, on topics that people ask me about most often.
