Persuasion in action during COVID-19
On a call this week with a not-for-profit organization I work with we discussed everything from...
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Category: Presentation Skills
And they’re off! Calling a horse race uses classic story-telling technique
Everyone loves a good story. Stories are what anchor your listeners to the main point you want them to remember. A technique that is often used to craft compelling stories is what is called “The Hero’s Journey”. It is an archetypal story pattern, common in ancient myths as well as modern-day adventures.
In essence, it includes three stages:
Departure: The Hero leaves the familiar world behind.
Initiation: The Hero learns to navigate the unfamiliar world of challenge and adventure.
Return: The Hero returns to the familiar world in victory to share the lessons learned.
Over the holiday break, I found myself watching an episode of the Netflix series: 7 Days Out which tracks seven days leading up to some of the world’s biggest events. As a native of Louisville, KY. I decided to tune into the episode on the Kentucky Derby. While I am very familiar with all the pomp and circumstance connected to the Derby, I learned something new.
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Make your deficit your greatest asset
Have you ever struggled with identifying what unique qualities and characteristics you bring to...
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Business Presentations – Is the real story just underneath the surface?
In the world of work, we often are called upon to report project updates, milestones and progress...
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Why is my WERQ instructor smiling?
How to lead and influence through expression “Smiling stimulates our brain’s reward mechanisms in...
Read More3 Convention Speakers & What We Can Learn From Them
I am admittedly a speech nerd and as such I watched just about every speech at both the RNC and DNC forums. While doing my own analysis I was struck by something that NY Times columnist and PBS commentator, David Brooks said. He remarked that at the conventions he found that speakers generally fit into one of three categories:
Read MoreImprove your Presentations with an Actor’s Moves
When we go to the theatre and see actors on the stage communicating a story we get wrapped-up in the action and forget that the lines that are spoken are scripted and the movement on stage is choreographed. If the production and talent are good it all looks and feels organic and yet it was orchestrated well in advance.
Read MoreAli: The Go Big or Go Home Communicator
Muhammad Ali was a triple threat. He had personality, passion and principles – an unbeatable knock out punch in any ring. I grew up in Louisville, KY. where Muhammad Ali was an ever-present reminder of the impact of...
Read MoreLead with a Headline: Remove Presentation Static
head·line noun – a head of a newspaper story
or article usually printed in large type and giving the gist of the story or article that follows.
They-Begged-Me-Not-to-Write-This-Twitter-Headlines-to-Change-Your-Life
It is no secret that living in the digital age means we are bombarded with information. Some of it is important and relevant but most is a great source of distraction – or static. Static is that crackling or hissing noise we might hear when we have a bad connection to one of our telecommunication devices. It is annoying and causes communication fatigue.
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Overcoming the “Ta Da” Dilemma
I recall with dread the many times I was positioned backstage or seated at a table close to the stage waiting for my name to be called to present. I could hear the introducer reading my bio and suddenly, “Ta Da!” – here she is Mari Pat Varga… I would bound onto the stage full of energy but I could instantly tell that my audience wasn’t quite there with me yet. They had already heard a bunch of other speakers and now me – someone they really didn’t know from Adam. Because of that, they spent the first few moments of my presentation checking me out. “Boy, she’s tall…” “I don’t recognize her name…who is she?” “I love that suit but not so crazy about the shoes…” “I hope she’ll be good…”
Read MoreConnect with your audience before stepping on the stage
I recall with dread the many times I was positioned backstage or seated at a table close to the stage waiting for my name to be called to present. I could hear the introducer reading my bio and suddenly, “Ta Da!” – here she is Mari Pat Varga… I would bound onto the stage full of energy but I could instantly tell that my audience wasn’t quite there with me yet. They had already heard a bunch of other speakers and now me – someone they really didn’t know from Adam. Because of that, they spent the first few moments of my presentation checking me out. “Boy, she’s tall…” “I don’t recognize her name…who is she?” “I love that suit but not so crazy about the shoes…” “I hope she’ll be good…”
Read MoreCatch a Breath and Captivate your Audience
Engaging an audience is a balancing act of many things. You must educate and entertain. You must have well-organized content and good delivery skills. All these elements are important but perhaps the most over-looked and under-appreciated technique for captivating an audience’s attention is to catch a breath and CREATE SPACE.
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