© Steve Whiteford 2015 Search “Executive Presence” on the internet and you will find tons of articles, and resources for training on the topic. Yet, I consistently see opinion articles that dismiss the validity of the discipline.When I read the trashing of what I have experienced to be core skills of communication, leadership and exemplary…
– An Overdue Rant – Granted, I come from a theater background which is surprisingly disciplined, and in which the importance of place, staging and performance is fully understood. So, of course, my suggestion is that excellent training and teaching also require these elements. However, in the past few years I’ve noticed more and more…
Truth Willingness and Openness, Keys to Accelerated Learning I am often astounded by individual demonstrations of courage and growth that occur in my workshops. Not long ago, I witnessed a participant response that provided a profound lesson. It happened on the second day of my “Powerful Presentations” workshop — often a challenging morning. Participants have…
I often emphasize the physical because, although it’s 55% of our message, we rarely make conscious use of it. In contrast it’s also true that if your physical message is strong but your words are flat, your communication will lack luster and fail to move people to action. The words we use account for 7%…
What’s the key to confidence and relaxation when speaking? In my twenty years as a speech coach, I’ve found that’s the question clients always ask. The basis of that anxious inquiry is the fear of speaking to a group. Many people say “I have no trouble talking or presenting one-on-one, but put me in front…
Leadership, Neuroscience and Presentation Copyright: Steve Whiteford 2012 What is old is new. We keep finding out that simple things we’ve known for years, things like eating a balanced meal with fresh vegetables and home-grown food, are really good for you. Recently I’ve been excited to see how advances of neuroscience are substantiating practices I’ve…
In the Career Advice section of the June, 1999 Fortune Magazine, I was reminded of my introduction to work as a coach. The article focused on the kind of executive or management coaching and training sometimes referred to facetiously as “Charm School.” The name “Charm School” is derived from the fact that this particular form…
Right now take a breath and check into your body. Stop reading! What do you feel? You just took a step to enhance your communication skills. “Your body is your instrument.” That’s what I learned as an actor, and in the years that I’ve been coaching businesspeople to express, influence, and lead, it has become…
As I work with more and more internet and technology companies, it’s clear that listening is the fundamental communication skill needed to increase productivity. When associates don’t listen to each other, messages are missed, misinterpreted, discounted, or just plain ignored. When communication is incomplete, the request or task doesn’t happen. When communication breaks down, action…
A recent study of communication at the University of California reported communication is perceived 55% through bodily stand and gesture, 38% through voice tonality and 7% through the actual words used. It’s clear how we present our message can be more significant that the message itself. The importance of a strong vocal image for achieving…