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public speaking

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LEADERSHIP   |  Comment

We Need To Talk About Romney

BY Ruth ShermanWed Feb 8, 2012

Mitt Romney’s front-runner status has been thrown into question once again after his triple loss in state primaries. For professional communicators, the reason for his difficulties is obvious--he doesn’t connect, and connecting is all about communicating. And in presidential election after presidential election, however, the candidate who connects best, wins.READ»

STATE OF THE UNION   |  Comment

The State Of The Union Address Is The Ultimate Master Class In Public Speaking

BY Ruth ShermanWed Jan 25, 2012

Rhetorical devices and flourishes play a big role in increasing impact and helping us remember what's been said, and President Obama is a master at using them. Learn advanced--yet simple--speaking techniques likes anaphora, anapest, and chiasmus by breaking down last night's State of the Union address (don't worry, we'll explain). READ»

COMMUNICATION   |  Comment

The 7 Greatest Communication Successes Of 2011

BY Ruth ShermanFri Dec 30, 2011

Media darlings and mavens of masterful storytelling who took center stage with aplomb in 2011.READ»

LEADERSHIP   |  Comment

The 7 Worst Communications Failures Of 2011

BY Ruth ShermanThu Dec 22, 2011

Want a good lesson in how to tarnish your public image, put off your fan base, torpedo your career, or lose the trust of your clients? There's plenty to pick from in our annual list of 2011’s communication losers. READ»

LEADERSHIP   |  Comment

Why Newt Gingrich And Elizabeth Warren Are So Damned Persuasive

BY Ruth ShermanFri Dec 9, 2011

Left for dead only two months ago, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is now a front-runner for the GOP nomination. On the Democratic side, Elizabeth Warren has buzz of her own. The candidates couldn’t be more different, but both use tried and true communication techniques to connect with voters.READ»

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How To Prepare When You Only Get One Shot At Persuasion

BY Kaihan KrippendorffTue Nov 29, 2011

Much of what is written about persuasion addresses the challenge of building influence over time. But when you have only one shot, you need to prepare differently.READ»

LEADERSHIP   |  Comment

Rick Perry's Debate Gaffe And What It Teaches Us About Presentation Skills (Or Lack Thereof)

BY Sam HarrisonThu Nov 10, 2011

GOP candidate Rick Perry got a painful lesson in what not to do in front of an audience during this week's debate, when he suffered what USA Today said may have been “the worst memory meltdown in the history of presidential debates.” His loss (of memory) is your gain when it comes to improving your presentation skills. READ»

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How Nonverbal Communication Gives Our Words Meaning

BY Ruth ShermanThu Nov 3, 2011

Let’s talk technique. Nonverbal technique, to be precise. How you say what you say. It’s what gives our words meaning when we speak, because, let's face it, standing up there doing a data dump is not going to engage your ...READ»

MAKE YOUR MOVE   |  Comment

Giving Kick-Ass Presentations In The Age Of Social Media

BY Drew NeisserWed Nov 2, 2011

Being a great speaker was never easy, but now, with your audience likely to have a mobile device in hand and real-time access to multiple social channels, the challenges have gotten that much greater. Seven (somewhat snarky) new rules for public speaking in the social media era, from public-speaking greats like Jeff Jarvis and Frank Eliason.READ»

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Preparation Is The Magic Bullet To Public Speaking Success

BY Ruth ShermanWed Oct 26, 2011

Preparation is where most people go wrong with public speaking. It is the biggest obstacle by far, and the most tedious and difficult part of the journey to becoming great at speaking and presenting. But it’s also the most necessary component of the process, so don’t ignore it.READ»

LEADERSHIP   |  Comment

Stage Fright Is Nothing To Be Afraid Of

BY Ruth ShermanTue Oct 18, 2011

Public speaking can shake the confidence of even the most experienced professional. Though it's natural to feel nervous, there are ways to frame your thinking that can help you manage stage fright. Here are three principles to keep in mind before your palms begin to sweat and your voice starts to quiver. READ»

LEADERSHIP   |  Comment

Conflict For Its Own Sake Is Not An Option, But It Can Also Create Positive Change

BY Ruth ShermanThu Oct 6, 2011

People who don't engage in conflict don't commit.READ»

LEADERSHIP   |  Comment

Personal Branding: Why You Need To Start Giving Speeches

BY Nick Nanton & JW DicksWed Oct 5, 2011

Public speaking is an incredibly powerful way to brand yourself as an expert in your field. It’s a great way to increase your credibility, and it can even be a direct source of new business. READ»

LEADERSHIP   |  Comment

Make Your Public Speaking Pass The "Waiting In Line" Test

BY Ruth ShermanTue Oct 4, 2011

While speaking is something almost everyone is capable of, doing so in front of large groups remains daunting. But there's one clear measure of success: is your audience waiting in line to meet you afterward? If not, read on for four tips that will put you on the path to better public speaking and presentation skills. READ»

LEADERSHIP   |  Comment

Mark Zuckerberg Can Get Away With Being An Average Public Speaker, But You Can't

BY Ruth ShermanTue Sep 27, 2011

When you’re as smart and successful as Mark Zuckerberg, do you really need to become a super-polished speaker, too? Probably not. The rest of us, however, can’t afford to be average, and here’s why. READ»

WORK SMART   |  Comment

3 Ways To Wow Your Audience With A Killer Live Presentation

BY Amber MacSun Jun 26, 2011

Some people are natural-born speakers. They were those eager young souls who volunteered to read aloud in grade school and now welcome any opportunity to present in front of a group. For the rest of us, public speaking is a real-life nightmare. The very thought of standing up in front of a group, all eyes on you, is a terrifying endeavor. READ»

LEADERSHIP   |  Comment

Tony Hsieh's HQ (Happiness Quotient)

BY Ruth ShermanTue Jun 7, 2011

At the World Innovation Forum, one of the presenters was Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos. He talked a lot about happiness, what makes Zappos one of the top workplaces and, I think, a great place to buy from.READ»

LEADERSHIP   |  Comment

Clayton Christensen And Disruption: Authentic Applications For Small Businesses

BY Ruth ShermanTue Jun 7, 2011

It's been an enlightening morning at the World Innovation Forum in New York, listening to Harvard's Clayton Christensen talk about his theory of "disruption."READ»

LEADERSHIP   |  Comment

Recipient Of Anthony Weiner Tweet Shows Media Mastery

BY Ruth ShermanMon Jun 6, 2011

I've been very interested in the ham-handedness with which Congressman Anthony Weiner of New York has managed his Twitter fiasco. But even more interesting is the way the recipient of the tweet, Gennette Cordova, a college journalism student in Washington, has handled her sudden brush with the proverbial "15 minutes."READ»

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During NFL Lockout, No Deep-Sixing Of Ochocinco

BY Ruth ShermanTue May 31, 2011

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver, Chad Johnson Ochocinco, hasn't let the labor dispute dilute his brand.READ»

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