When you think about charisma, who do you think about? Bill Clinton? Martin Luther King Jr.? Steve Jobs?
What about you? Do you have charisma?
Many speakers and non-speakers hold the belief that charisma is an innate gift — either you are born with it, or you aren’t.
But can you learn charisma? Recent research suggests that you can!
This article reviews the 2006 TED talk by Ken Robinson about whether our education system kills creativity. As I write this speech analysis, his talk is the most-viewed TED talk in history. Not surprisingly, it is rich with lessons for speakers.
Robinson’s talk demonstrates many lessons, including:
This is the latest in a series of speech critiques here on Six Minutes.
Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences is the second book from presentation superhero Nancy Duarte.
It is also the second book of hers which I strongly recommend you read — immediately.
This article is the latest of a series of public speaking book reviews here on Six Minutes.
One of my favorite TED Talks is that by Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of the international bestseller Eat, Pray, Love. In her talk, Gilbert speaks about the fears and frustrations of those who pursue a creative life, especially during those moments of angst when the creative juices are not flowing, and offers some advice and encouragement.
It is a touching performance. Even though I have seen it numerous times – I use it as part of one of the courses that I teach on public speaking – I never tire of it. Although there is room for improvement, the positive aspects of Gilbert’s talk make it moving and memorable.
This is the latest in a series of speech critiques here on Six Minutes.
I encourage you to:
Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die packs powerful wisdom that will help you express your message so that your audience remembers it and acts on it.
This article is the latest of a series of public speaking book reviews here on Six Minutes.
Previously, we learned how the rule of three improves speeches when used at the micro-speech level, to craft memorable triads of words, phrases, and sentences.
In this article, we will learn how the rule of three improves speeches at the macro-speech level when applied to speech stories or to entire speech outlines.
I wish all my colleagues would read this business communications book.
Advanced Presentations by Design: Creating Communication that Drives Action offers a comprehensive approach to planning and designing presentations focused on selling ideas and persuading your audience.
This article is the latest in a series of public speaking book reviews here on Six Minutes.
Does your audience need a dictionary to decipher your speeches?
Do you write your speeches with encyclopedic diction?
Do you draw your speechwriting inspiration from legal documents?
Technical writing, essays, financial reports, and legal writings all have their place — but none of them belong in your speechwriting.
The Story Factor: Inspiration, Influence, and Persuasion Through the Art of Storytelling has one consistent message: that storytelling is a critical skill for business communication and public speaking.
Author Annette Simmons weaves hundreds of stories into The Story Factor. These stories — drawn from cultures around the world — illustrate well the power of story in conveying lessons.
I discovered this public speaking book two years ago in my Toastmasters club library. When I picked up the book again recently to write this review, I was delighted to reacquaint myself with several stories that I have since adopted into my own speaking repertoire.
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