Think of a storyteller who had you on the edge of your seat.  Now, consider why that person was so engaging.  Yes, the story itself was probably interesting, but likely, he or she made the story come alive in the telling, with a captivating voice.

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.

At the core of every insightful presentation is a story. Human beings naturally seek out a narrative.

But the process of becoming a storyteller doesn't start with writing and rehearsing the presentation; it begins in observations of everyday life.

If you are feeling apprehensive about public speaking or presenting, typically at the root of the anxiety is fear of embarrassing yourself. With careful preparation and focus on delivery, it can be easy to avoid embarrassment in a monologue style presentation. But what about when you open up the floor for questions and comments?

Audiences can be tricky: Even if they're your peers, co-workers, or experts in a certain field, everyone has their own agenda and emotional logic. By giving a presentation and soliciting feedback, you are inviting a variety of different personalities to listen and comment on your work. Audience member responses can range from boredom to outright hostility for reasons that may be unclear to you. To conquer a difficult audience, follow these tips:

Since the start of this election cycle, we've all seen several debates between various party candidates leading to the current slate of Presidential and Vice Presidential debates.  One crucial figure that sometimes gets overlooked in these debates is the moderator.

Whether it is part of a debate or panel discussion, moderators ostensibly are tasked with overseeing and facilitating a conversation — without overtly contributing their opinion or being a central part of the dialogue. They ask questions, solicit audience feedback, keep an eye on how much time remains and try and keep the conversation balanced between all panelists and experts. They're essentially the ringmasters, keeping dialogue moving and emphasizing major points.

While this may seem like an easy task, the truth is that the moderator often has the hardest job on the panel. It requires strong listening and comprehension skills, patience, and focus. Here are a few tips to help when you take on the role of moderator in a panel discussion: