In Norman Mailer’s monumental novel The Naked and the Dead, a character named General Cummings gives to his troops a short talk that is an interesting example of leadership communication. The General addresses his troops during a storm on an… Read More »Leadership Communication
I am usually allergic to buzzwords. When storytelling became a popular metaphor for public speaking, influence, and persuasion I began to feel a little grumpy. But I have been released temporarily from my distemper by an article in the New… Read More »Public Speaking: The story about Obama’s lack of storytelling
To continue the story. I was nearly pickpocketed on the subway in Athens recently, and I’m convinced presenters can learn something from the art of “boosting.” Pickpockets intend to harm, and speakers intend to help, but both use similar techniques.… Read More »Pickpockets are good presenters
The key difference between a live presentation and an online presentation is the challenge of holding attention. An audience member sitting in his underwear scarfing a bagel, holding a baby in his lap, and flipping through emails on a Blackberry is… Read More »Webinar vs. Seminar: Webinar Tips
Just sat through a talk with a long and useless introduction concerning what the speaker had considered saying but decided against, how he stumbled upon his approach to the topic, and finally, the five elements of it he planned to… Read More »Public speaking error # 17
I am on the island of Serifos in the blue, blue Aegean. My wife Sharon is engrossed in her month-long seminar, and I am left to my own devices. I have slowed down considerably – reading, swimming, and sleeping is… Read More »Greeks on strike