“Fake it 'til you make it” is a phrase we’ve all heard at some point. It promises that pretending to have confidence or expertise can help us eventually embody those qualities. But in a world where authenticity is prized, is this approach outdated, or even harmful?...

I get it: you don’t want to forget your words, so you script your presentation…and then you read from that script. Or maybe you think you’re not doing that because your presentation is a series of Powerpoint slides…which you then read to your audience. .Reading from a...

The tone of your voice can have a huge impact on how your message is received. A defensive tone of voice often leads to misunderstandings, conflict, and strained relationships. You can come across as prickly, and unapproachable. Understanding what a defensive tone is,...

For a lot of us, the thought of getting up and speaking in front of people is akin to facing a dragon – a daunting challenge that triggers anxiety and fear. If you find yourself trembling and feeling sick at the very thought of talking in a room full (or even...

Are you a good leader? Do you invest in your team? Grow their skills - develop their capabilities both as individuals and as a group? When members of your team come together to give a presentation, there are pitfalls. They're working on their own sections; their...

Words are powerful. But truly effective communication is about more than the words we speak. Our gestures and body language play a crucial role in conveying emotions, emphasising points, and connecting with our audience during a presentation. Just as a picture is...

We all know those speakers: they’re captivating; they have us hanging on their every word as they effortlessly command the stage.We’re envious of  their ability to engage the audience, convey their message with conviction, and leave a lasting impact. It's easy to...

A couple of days ago, my friend Sarah messaged me for some advice. In her new role, she has been asked to present to the board. Her exact words were: “I’m really hoping I get hit by a bus or something so I don’t have to go”. And she wasn’t joking. Sarah isn’t alone in...

A lot of people start their presentation with the wrong idea. They go out there thinking about how they can sound like the authority on something – how they can elevate themselves and sound brilliant. Public speaking has this aura of “ego” around it that is, in my...

I was recently interviewed, for a Podcast, about public speaking – general advice on how to engage; how to feel confident; and so on. The interviewer, Andy, commented that I didn’t seem to “um and ah” very much, and, on listening back to the recording, a realised he’s...

When we are trying to persuade someone of something – to buy in to our idea or our product; to give us a job; to sign up as a client – we need to get them to trust us. We need them to understand that we want the same things: you want them to know that they can trust...

Lots of people worry that they are going to forget their words when they’re giving a speech or presentation. And it’s a valid fear: when we’re nervous, we often experience the terror of our mind going blank (I still have anxiety dreams about this from my acting days)....