Executive Speaking
Resources for Executives
When you’re a leader, being a good speaker isn’t good enough. You have to be a great speaker.
Your reputation and the success of your organization depend on your ability to speak to a variety of audiences confidently and persuasively.You are undoubtedly already a good speaker or else you wouldn’t have risen as high as you have. But if you want to be even better – more confident, more commanding, more effective – you may benefit from working with an executive speech coach.
As a leader two things set you apart from other speakers:
- As a leader you are the message
. Your experience, values, vision, personality, and drive are all a part of what you communicate every time you speak. That’s why you should never try to look or sound like anyone else. And it’s why you should avoid, whenever possible, using PowerPoint.
- As a leader you speak primarily to influence
people
, to shape the way they think and feel.
You also speak to shape a group's identity and to
inspire your audience to take action. It’s not your primary job to present information – leave that to others. Focus on communicating your vision and on making other people believe in what you hold dear.
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In the pages that follow you’ll find resources to get you started or to move you to the next level of speaking mastery.
Executive Speech Coaching
Most speech coaches focus on delivery, as if you're an actor and they're directors. (“Stand this way. Don’t use that
gesture.”) Chris focuses more on strategy and message formation, regarding you as a leader and himself as a trusted advisor.
FAQ for Executive Speech Coaching
Why hire an executive speech coach? How does speech coaching work? How can you work with a speech coach who isn’t even in your city?
How Leaders Speak
Leaders speak as an extension and an expression of their leadership. They speak primarily to influence, to shape the way people feel and think.
Projecting a Commanding Presence
Developing the sort of presence that commands attention isn’t something you can learn from a workshop or self-help book. It’s more a way of being than anything you do, although the way you act does enhance it.
7 Principles of Influence
Influence is the art of winning people's cooperation when you do not have, or do not want to use, the authority to make them do what you want them to do.
How to Build Rapport with Any Audience
When you establish rapport with your audience, they become your partners in a dialog. They'll want you to succeed …
How to Give a Speech
You've already prepared and rehearsed your presentation. Here's what you can do to give a speech you can be proud of …
How to Introduce a Speaker
In formal gatherings or larger meetings it's often necessary – and helpful – to introduce the main speaker. With some thought and preparation you will make the event more successful, and you will establish your professionalism …
How to Plan a Speech
Good planning is key to building an effective speech …
How to Propose a Toast
There are occasions when you want to say a few words to commemorate a person or event, but you don't want to give a speech …
How to Remember Names
One of the best ways to make a favorable first impression – and to get ahead socially or in business – is to remember people's names. You can improve your ability to remember names if you follow these four steps...
The Listening Leader
Today's leaders don't have all the answers. (How can they?) But they know how to find the answers and, more importantly, they know how to help others find the answers. Leaders today are listeners. They listen up, down, and all around their organization.
When Not to Use PowerPoint
There are times – especially if you’re a leader – when using PowerPoint in a speech makes little sense and may even be counterproductive.
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