Next week I am facilitating a day-long training program for sales professionals in the world’s fifth largest software company. Unlike my usual clients who feel fear of speaking, these folks will be good at speaking and selling.  They are already very successful. So, “What,” I wondered “Do they need from me?” They need me [...]

   Last week the Houston Chronicle published an article by Greg Morago called Get Ready for Judge Giada : Top contestants are able to connect with camera. Giada De Laurentiis is a Food Network star who is about to become a judge for the show Food Network Star.  Giving some sage advice for anyone who [...]

   On May 1, 1969, Mr. Rogers spoke to the US Senate Subcommittee on Communications to ask them to grant funding for the newly created PBS after President Nixon attempted to slash their funds in half.  Watch a video of his speech.  Saying “I’d just like to talk about it if it’s alright,” Mr. Rogers [...]

   American Idol for 2011 has completely captured my attention.  I am loving it!  Finally they have a group of judges who all are insightful, honest, compassionate, entertaining and funny!  Steven Tyler is a total delight!  He listens with his eyes closed and feels the music as contestants sing.  Sometimes he sings along with relish.  Jennifer Lopez [...]

   I don’t want you to work so hard at public speaking. Consider opening to the experience that public speaking doesn’t have to be so hard and that you don’t have to work so hard to connect with listeners.  I have this new battery operated toothbrush that does all the work for me.  But I [...]

  “Has anyone ever been in prison?”  These were the words that opened W Mitchell’s talk to NSA Houston Chapter in September 2010.  Words spoken quietly in a voice vibrating from deep within his chest.  Words not spoken immediately.  W Mitchell wheeled himself to the center of the staging area, sat deeply into his wheelchair [...]

  Underneath the words, intentions and body expressions, communication is a dance of being with another person.  In communication, making connection is often more important that the actual words spoken.  We don’t have to be perfect wordsmiths to be good communicators if we can learn to engage in full connection with others.  Full connection is [...]

   A wonderful new client gave voice to her goal of expressing more warmth.  I think this is a great goal for everyone!  Warmth is an emotion, so it can’t be simply acted out.  You can’t behave like you are warm because others will sense you lack of real warmth. You can’t DO warmth, you [...]

  Great analysis of Sir Ken Robinson’s TED Talk by John Zimmer.  (No relation to me.) http://mannerofspeaking.org/2010/02/02/analysis-of-a-speech-by-sir-ken-robinson/ I am absolutely in agreement with every point John makes about Ken’s talk! These are all principles I teach and love to see in speakers!

  My webmaster Kenan Branam happens to be a thought leader about the internet and the future of humanity.  He is always trying to make sense of the world and how we humans live in it.  This cold drizzly Houston morning in December we chatted about a new program I am creating called Your Life [...]