​PowerSpeaking Blog: Tips and strategies for crafting presentations

Have you ever felt like a fraud at work? You’re not alone. While many high-achieving women and entrepreneurs share this feeling, it is common for everyone. Over an estimated 70% of people have experienced this and similar feelings at one time or another. In corporate America it’s easy to feel like you’re not competent enough. Over time, this chronic selfdoubt or Imposter Syndrome can impact your productivity and prospects. Imposter Syndrome is a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist even with opposite information. It's experienced internally, and can be hard to identify from an outside perspective.

Learning to communicate effectively is a skill for anyone looking for success in the workplace. Being an assertive speaker is a core component of being an effective communicator with authentic presence - but it’s not always easy to do. Read on and learn eight reasons why assertive communication will help you be heard, be more productive, and be happier at work.

Genuine self-expression is important for anyone looking to communicate effectively.  Who better to demonstrate this power of authenticity than one of our own personal coaches and PowerSpeaking Trainers, Mitesh Kapadia? We sat down with Mitesh and asked a few questions about authenticity, and why it matters for him.

Authentic leaders maintain their professional and personal values that reflect their genuine beliefs. It's no easy feat, but to become an authentic leader is to become an inspiration to yourself and others as it marks a strong resolve with direction. Take a deep breath and read on to see how you can take the lead to inspire success.

Imagine it. You’re walking across a large empty stage, steps echoing, toward a brightly lit lectern with microphone at the ready. Palms sweating yet? You’re not alone! Public speaking, for many, represents a roadblock to their careers—and it doesn’t have to be that way. For entrepreneurs, this is the most critical tool needed to develop for a successful career track. Finding the confidence and ease to communicate with others can become a personal strength if you develop it.

When it comes to high stakes presentations investor presentations are near the top. Continue reading to learn 12 ways to impress investors and take your company to the next level.

Philip Pullman, considered one of the 50 top British writers since 1945, offered an insightful statement when he said: “After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.” 

Richard Kearney, author of On Stories, stays in the same vein of thinking: "Telling stories is as basic to human beings as eating. More so, in fact, for while food makes us live, stories are what make our lives worth living.”

I recently read a blog from Rick Gilbert, Founder of PowerSpeaking, Inc. (now retired) with a provocative title: Why Trump is a Better Storyteller Than Hemingway. This is not about politics. It’s about the impact of stories. Stories connect to emotion. Stories help people remember and are central part of human nature.

Listen in as Rick relates the work of Steve Bryant to Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. Would love to hear from you. What story have you used that fits the model?

How does Louis CK, master stand-up comic, tell a joke?  Grab 8 minutes of time to witness the analysis of construction, his economy of words, and his purposeful delivery. He’s a genius! 207 words to the entire story…we hope you enjoy. 

Who is the best stand-up comic you’ve seen? Why? Please share your response in the comments section below.

The prevalence of personal devices — from laptops to smartphones to tablets and now even smartwatches — poses a challenge for presenters. When you're speaking, you are trained to want an audience's undivided attention. It's natural to feel irritated or disheartened during a presentation when you see people looking down at their phones as opposed to looking up at you.

In today’s world, as a speaker, we may need a new mindset. An audience glued to their devices isn't always the kiss of death. In many ways, devices are simply another tool to help enrich and enliven your presentation — or at least something you can simply work around. Here's how: