I give the ClassAct Award for the best thank you speech at the Oscars to Christopher Plummer. The man is 82 years young. No wincing in pain as he rose from his seat. No creaky knees up the steps to… Read More »Public Speaking: A masterful performance
I have a theory that the first purpose of public speech is to warn a community of imminent danger. For instance, in the animal world, vervet monkeys have three distinct cries for eagle, snake and leopard. Beavers signal danger with… Read More »What good is stage fright?
One morning many years ago, when my wife and I were living in Park Slope, Brooklyn, I got up late and was rushing to get to work on time, but I could not find my watch. Sharon suggested the strap… Read More »Presenter mugged by audience
Jim Fyfe is a friend of mine and a very funny man. He has been an actor, a comedian and is now an educator. In his younger days, he was asked to judge a contest for students of architecture who… Read More »Public Speaking: How you come across
Let’s begin with the bald truth: we draw our leaders from a pool of imperfect beings. Millions of years of evolution have yet to yield The Perfect Leader. We all come from imperfect families, have experiences that blind us or… Read More »Communication Skills: Why our leaders disappoint us
“Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people.” — Teddy Roosevelt Teddy Roosevelt was a Republican President who was committed to checking the power of elites. His remark that… Read More »Public Speaking: The Big Fat Issue