Speaking Tips

How To Build Rapport Using These Listening Techniques

Let’s be honest, when it comes to communicating with confidence, speaking and listening require two essential skill sets.  We talk a lot here about what it takes to speak impactfully, but it’s about time we talk about what it takes to listen impactfully.  Not just because listening is the kind and collaborative thing to do,…

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How to engage an audience and show up at your best (on-camera or in-person)

Now that we’ve been working virtually for over two years, chances are you know the importance of showing up with good lighting and a clean background for your Zoom meetings… …The thing is, turning on all your lamps and putting your laundry away does *not* magically translate to a calm and confident presence once you…

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When you need to think and talk at the same time – remember this!

Ever felt that wave of panic when you’re asked a question and you need to think about how you want to respond while you start responding at the same time? You’re not alone. You might feel the pressure to speak immediately without taking a moment to think – “quick, don’t waste people’s time, spit it…

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The key to dealing with speaking nerves

Have you ever looked around the room during a big meeting, presentation, panel, or group interview and thought: I’m the only one here who seems nervous! I must be doing something wrong… Everybody around me seems so confident and at ease, but I can’t shake the jitters that crop up every time it’s my turn…

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How to stop using filler words

Picture this: you just nailed a presentation, and you even answered a full round of impromptu questions on-the-fly!  You’re riding high on positive feedback, but your manager also offers a constructive critique: you use a lot of filler words, and they’re distracting us from hearing some of your main points.  Suddenly, you start replaying the…

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My #1 tip to improve your speaking skills

Love it or hate it, today we’re talking about an established SelfSpoken truth: the best way to improve your speaking skills is…watching yourself on video. And before we go any further, I know what you’re thinking! “I can’t stand to watch myself on video—it makes me cringe, hard.” “I feel like I don’t even recognize…

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