public speaking

Public Speaking is a Marathon, not a Sprint

Random Observation/Comment #497: Get better at being a communicator. It’ll help with almost everything. Everyone wants a shortcut solution to everything, but real mastery and improvement takes time.  I always suggest taking the smaller steps towards becoming a better communicator and gaining confidence in public speaking by following these key ideas: Know your material. Speak about things you know and...

[List of 30] The Value of Giving a Speech

Random Observation/Comment #485: The process of writing and practicing a speech is more valuable to learning than delivering it. There’s a certain mystical power behind preparing for a speech. All of a sudden, you’re put on the spot knowing your colleagues, friends, and bosses will be listening intently to you for the next 5-7 minutes. All your words will be...

[Toastmasters] Mentoring your Mentors

Random Observation/Comment #448: Delegation, Trust, and Growth is key to building a successful program. One person truly can’t do it all and it would be foolish to hold all your knowledge as a security blanket on your leadership role. Within Toastmasters, we’ve found that the mentorship program is the most customized and personable solution.  The agenda and reoccurring meetings provide...

[Lessons Learned] Presenting to HS Students

Random Observation/Comment #415: The reward of educational influence can be obtained without a formal “job” in academics. While I’m growing in my career, I will always find time to be a mentor. In March 2014, I was given the opportunity to speak to 60+ high school students at Baruch HS for an hour session. What did I talk about? Pragmatic...

[Toastmasters] How to Keep Your Audience Focused

Random Observation/Comment #402: Even if you have good content, your delivery mechanics and techniques are very important for persuading and inspiring an audience. I recently read “The One Minute Presenter” by Warwick John Fahy and it gave a few great tips for keeping the audience engaged in your speech. The book starts off with talking about how our attention is...

[Toastmasters] Inspiring Your Audience

[Toastmasters] Inspiring Your Audience

Random Observation/Comment #279: Being more comfortable with public speaking has made my overall life better because of the extra confidence and effective communication with my peers and managers.  I’m glad I’ve faced this fear – best choice ever. If you follow the Toastmasters Competent Communicator speeches, you’ll find that it walks you through 10 specific areas that will make your...

[Toastmasters] My Greatest Fear

[Toastmasters] My Greatest Fear

Random Observation/Comment #275: Mentoring >> Networking. I find it rewarding being a mentor and extremely inspiring being a mentee.  Networking has become way too artificial of a term anyway. Let’s keep it more personal :). I stood in front of the podium: sweaty, nervous, and a little nauseous. What do I do with my hands? What am I talking about...

[Toastmasters] Practicing Confidence

[Toastmasters] Practicing Confidence

Random Observation/Comment #261: Communication is probably the single most important thing in any career.  Whether it’s in writing, formally presenting, or generally explaining concepts, your ideas must be easily understood.  Keep it simple and make clear statements.  Life will be so much easier.  How do you practice? Tell stories to people. Reiterate difficult concepts with analogies. Practice elevator speeches. Come...

[Toastmasters] Top Presentation Tips

[Toastmasters] Top Presentation Tips

Random Observation/Comment #251: The number one fear in the US is public speaking. Number two is death. This means that in a funeral, you’d rather be in the casket than performing the eulogy. Ever since that embarrassing speech during high school, I’ve made it my duty to prevent future occasions of embarrassment. I tried my best through public speaking workshops...