Should trainers and presenters strive to be more entertaining? It depends on what drives you. Enthusiasm or Entertainment? Enthusiasm is about expressing your passion for the subject. You ignite participants through showing your own zest. You may even experiment by doing things outside of your comfort zone in order to pass on your excitement. Entertainment …
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Great Presenting: Enthusiasm or Entertainment?
Think to Talk, or Talk to Think? Engaging the Introverts
Introverts thrive in learning situations that enable solitude, independent thinking, and time to process.
Dr. Kate Earle, Quiet Leadership Institute
How can trainers and presenters design a workshop that truly respects introverts, and best meet their needs? When developing your training session, use these tips to engage introverts, while meanwhile keeping the extroverts energized
Prevent ‘Old Person’s Voice’
Speakers and presenters, don’t sound like your grandpa! Use these tips to keep your voice beautiful at any age
Get Rid of Those Junk Words
We’ve all been driven crazy by a presenter who overuses words like “you know”, “um”, and “like”. Surprisingly, research finds that these filler words serve an valuable purpose. Using them helps a presenter transition to what he or she will say next, and audiences appreciate a little break between thoughts. However, let’s get back to …
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Training’s Biggest Schism
In my October newsletter, I asked “What’s going on with training?” More than 90 training professionals across the United States responded. THANKS to all who shared your experiences! Communities Got Clean Water, Thanks to YOU I promised to send a donation to the Global Women’s Water Initiative for each completed survey. Our collective donation helped to …
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What’s Going on with Training?
Hi, clients and readers. I have the strong sense–(and maybe YOU do, too)– that how people want to learn is changing. Please take this very quick survey so that I can learn about your training preferences. The survey will take you less than five minutes to complete. Two (Extremely) Cool Benefits of Taking the Survey …
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Presentation Tips from the Pet World
First off: I am emphatically NOT suggesting we treat our audiences like pets. But learning from our relationships with our pets CAN help us become better speakers. I spoke recently with a professional Animal Massage Therapist and adult educator. Together, we came up with the following five tips for improved public speaking. 1. You must …
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When YOU are the Bored Trainer (or Presenter!)
We’ve all had bored trainers and presenters. They lack passion, energy and spark. But what happens when YOU deliver the same material over and over and over again? How do you keep it fresh? 5 Tips That Refresh 1. Remember the “Turf” That Comes With Being a Professional Whether you are an athlete, an actor, …
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3 Tips to Improve Your Meetings
(Since We Can’T Get Rid Of Them Altogether) If you feel a chill of dread at the prospect of leading or participating in a meeting, you are not alone. 71% of managers say meetings are unproductive and inefficient. Studies show that the more meetings we attend, the worse we feel about ourselves and our jobs. …
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Smiling, Presenting, and Chopsticks
The car in front of me pokes along at 20 miles per hour. I clench the steering wheel as I try to push down my road rage. The concept of “steam coming out of my ears” feels very real… And then I suddenly, falsely, crazily, I bark out the word “JOY!” and force a grossly …
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Can a Room Kill You? Yes!
Presenters, prevent “Death by Room”! These three tips will help ensure your physical space works with you instead of against you.
Mini-Van or Ferrari for Presenters?
To go shopping, would you use a minivan or Ferrari? What if you were going to race? The choice is a no-brainer. Yet when speaking publicly, many of us want to take a minivan when we should be gearing up to drive a Ferrari. The Role of Adrenaline in Peak Performance Driving a Ferrari takes …
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What is a Trainer? What is a Facilitator?
Be honest! You can really confuse your participants if YOU aren’t clear which role you are playing…trainer or facilitator?
Elevate Your Training! Assessing Training Skills in Your Organization
I have been fascinated with the question “What makes a great trainer (or adult educator)”? for years. Through exploring research, examining my own practice, and evaluating hundreds of other trainers, I formulated a set of effective training behaviors. I used these behaviors as the basis for an assessment tool called Elevate Your Training! Assessing Training …
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Presentation Disaster Zone: A True Story
Who wants to feel exposed and inept in front of an audience? No one! Yet recently, I observed a presenter obviously wish she could disappear…all for the lack of a sound check. This speaker had plenty of important content to deliver. The press was buzzing and there was excitement in the room. She was introduced, …
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