I’ve been introduced with fanfare, and I’ve been introduced with a kind of shrug in my general direction, as if to say, “Hey Sims. You’re on.” I like fanfare, pomp and circumstance. But when it’s touting my resume and puffing… Read More »Presentation Techniques: In Praise of Informality
Getting ready for Oscar night? I am, and some memorable speeches from the past come to mind. Gwyneth Paltrow’s highly emotional acceptance speech for her work in Shakespeare in Love was remarkable for her ability to verbalize in the midst of such… Read More »Effective Speaking: Oscar Night Speeches
No one likes to be pulled from a warm bed and thrust into a cold shower. And many people I’ve met feel the same about being plucked from the blanket of everyday life to stand alone on a stage with… Read More »Fear and Loathing of Public Speaking
What should you do when the lights are so bright that you can’t see your audience? 1. Make sure you know where the audience is and look in that general direction with focus and confidence. The audience won’t know that… Read More »Presentation Tips: Blinded by the Light
I recently sat down to interview myself on the subject of speaker evaluation forms. Here’s the transcript of the interview. What’s the use of a speaker evaluation form? First of all, I prefer the term assessment to evaluation. It sounds… Read More »Public Speaking Tips: A Really Useful Speaker Evaluation Form
In the Jobs section of the New York Times, on Sunday March 30th, Phyllis Korkki has written an article entitled The Adroit Speaker Doesn’t Wing It. That’s true and not true. I believe wholeheartedly in preparing, rehearsing, getting feedback, even… Read More »Speaking Anxiety: Stage Fright