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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="https://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="https://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="https://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="https://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="https://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="https://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" xmlns:georss="https://www.georss.org/georss" xmlns:geo="https://www.w3.org/2003/01/geo/wgs84_pos#" > <channel> <title>Presenting Yourself And More…</title> <atom:link href="https://www.presenting-yourself.com/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://www.presenting-yourself.com</link> <description></description> <lastBuildDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2024 19:41:44 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2</generator> <image> <url>https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot_1.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1</url> <title>Presenting Yourself And More…</title> <link>https://www.presenting-yourself.com</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height></image> <site xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">31028306</site> <item> <title>Don’t Wear Your Pajamas on a Virtual Media Interview</title> <link>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/dont-wear-your-pajamas-on-a-virtual-media-interview/</link> <comments>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/dont-wear-your-pajamas-on-a-virtual-media-interview/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[The Newman Group, Inc.]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2024 10:55:50 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[presentation skills]]></category> <category><![CDATA[virtual presentations]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Executive Media Training]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Media interview]]></category> <category><![CDATA[media interview coaching]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Media Relations Training]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Newman Group]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Video calling service]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Virtual communications]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.presenting-yourself.com/?p=13634</guid> <description><![CDATA[If you were meeting a reporter in person for a media interview, you would be dressed in appropriate business attire. You can also have a face-to-face interview with a reporter using Zoom, or another video calling service that enables individuals in two different locations to have a conversation on their computers. No need to leave...]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If you were meeting a reporter in person for a <a href="https://newmangroup.com/media-training" rel="nofollow">media interview</a>, you would be dressed in appropriate business attire.<br /><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Fotolia_32396627_XS.jpg?ssl=1" rel="nofollow"><img decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-2934" title="3d Little man talks to his friend on line" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Fotolia_32396627_XS.jpg?resize=180%2C180&ssl=1" alt="Free video calling service" width="180" height="180" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p><p>You can also have a face-to-face interview with a reporter using Zoom, or another video calling service that enables individuals in two different locations to have a conversation on their computers. No need to leave your office – which may be in your home, as more executives work virtually.</p><p>You still need to act and look your best on a virtual connection. If you’re calling from home, dress as if you were meeting a client, not going to a pajama party.</p><p><span id="more-13634"></span></p><p><strong>Look Professional</strong></p><p><img decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-9908" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Green_FF_Enterprise-Copy.png?resize=120%2C180&ssl=1" alt="" width="120" height="180" data-recalc-dims="1" /><br />Close the door to your office and tack a sign on the outside letting everyone know that a meeting is in progress. You don’t want traffic traipsing in and out.</p><p>Get someone to take your dog for a walk so there is no barking in the background. Turn off your phone and clean up the area around your computer. Make sure you have a neat backdrop. You don’t want the reporter’s takeaway to be “Gee, what a sloppy person.”</p><p><a href="https://thewebaround.com/backdrops/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">The WebAround</a> webcam background offers the most economical professional background we’ve found for around $30 on-sale to $65. It is portable and sits on the back of your chair and comes in very practical blue, green or grey backgrounds varying from 42 to 56 inches in diameter open.</p><p><strong>Be Prepared</strong></p><p>Do the same preparation as you would when you appear on television:</p><ul><li>Dress professionally</li><li>Be clean shaven (unless you ordinarily have a beard or mustache)</li><li>Wear reflection-free glasses, if you have a pair</li><li>Adjust the lighting in the room so your face is clearly visible</li><li>Apply makeup as usual and dust your face lightly with powder to reduce the shine from the lights</li><li>Make eye contact with the reporter by looking directly into the camera as you’re talking</li></ul><p>Use a prop if it will help clarify your thoughts. But remember that a virtual connection isn’t the medium to do a product demonstration that requires a lot of setup and space.</p><p>As with any media interview, be sure you’ve practiced your key messages. Have an opening “grabber” and summarize your major points before signing off.</p><p><strong>Speak Slooooow-ly</strong></p><p>There is one crucial difference in using virtual video as opposed to the phone or a personal interview. There is a delay in the sound that is traveling via satellite. You’ve no doubt watched a TV reporter on assignment in the Middle East being interviewed by a broadcast anchor in New York. The sound follows the questions and answers. The delay is quite noticeable. So it is with virtual video.</p><p>You can’t talk a mile a minute. Build in pauses. Slow down by at least 30 percent, or you will come across like you’re talking in an echo chamber. Remember how your mother told you to eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly? The same applies to Skype. Speak slowly and form your words carefully.</p><p><strong>Avoid a Disaster</strong></p><p>Before the interview, test the equipment to ensure it is working properly. Schedule a dry run with a colleague who can tell you how you look and sound. Your set-up could crash and reporters don’t have the time and patience to wait for it to be fixed.</p><p>You can use the camera that is built into your computer, or mount a higher-resolution camera on top of your monitor.</p><p>Adjust the angle of the camera so it isn’t zooming in on your navel or the ceiling. Enable the reporter to see your facial expressions, but make sure she’s not seeing a close-up of your tonsils!</p><h6 class="zemanta-related-title" style="font-size: 1em;">Related articles</h6><ul class="zemanta-article-ul"><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="https://socialnomicswithsuzanne.wordpress.com/2012/07/10/skype-5-social-tips-for-professionals/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Skype: 5 Social Tips for Professionals</a> (socialnomicswithsuzanne.wordpress.com)</li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="https://www.presenting-yourself.com/celebrity-media-training/do-you-stand-for-a-phone-interview-with-a-reporter/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Do You Stand for a Phone Interview With a Reporter?</a> (presenting-yourself.com)</li></ul>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/dont-wear-your-pajamas-on-a-virtual-media-interview/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">13634</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Presentations and Media Interviews are Easy – When You Know How</title> <link>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/presentations-and-media-interviews-are-easy-when-you-know-how/</link> <comments>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/presentations-and-media-interviews-are-easy-when-you-know-how/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[The Newman Group, Inc.]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 11 Oct 2023 10:28:38 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[media interviews]]></category> <category><![CDATA[presentation skills]]></category> <category><![CDATA[virtual presentations]]></category> <category><![CDATA[business presentation skills]]></category> <category><![CDATA[executive presentation skills]]></category> <category><![CDATA[media interview coaching]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Newman Group]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.presenting-yourself.com/?p=13578</guid> <description><![CDATA[If you have not have visited the Newman Group’s website lately, then you’ve missed the videos that describe what we do and our approach to our specialties: presentation and media training. Plus, we are doing a significant number virtual training sessions in the post-Covid-19 age. We are pleased by the positive feedback to this blog....]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If you have not have visited the Newman Group’s website lately, then you’ve missed the videos that describe what we do and our approach to our specialties: <a href="https://newmangroup.com/presentation-skills" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">presentation</a> and <a href="https://newmangroup.com/media-training" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">media training</a>. Plus, we are doing a significant number virtual training sessions in the post-Covid-19 age.<span id="more-13578"></span></p><p><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/237936103" width="628" height="353" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p><p>We are pleased by the positive feedback to this blog. Our readers tell us they particularly enjoyed our series on presentation training and our series on crisis communications training.</p><p>If you missed these posts, or want a refresher on the techniques of giving a presentation and managing the media during a crisis, the titles and links to the posts are below.</p><h3><strong>Presentation Training</strong></h3><p><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/237936097" width="628" height="353" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p><p>In these three posts, we discuss preparing for a presentation, giving a presentation, and following up after the presentation:<br /><a href="https://www.presenting-yourself.com/your-presentation-begins-when-you-book-the-date/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">The Presentation Begins When You Book the Date</a><br /><a href="https://www.presenting-yourself.com/a-presentation-is-not-about-you/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">The Presentation is Not About You</a><br /><a href="https://www.presenting-yourself.com/a-presentation-doesnt-end-after-the-applause/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">A Presentation Doesn’t End After the Applause</a></p><h3><strong>Media Training for Crisis Communications</strong></h3><p><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/237936088" width="628" height="353" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p><p>These posts describe how to manage an Instant Crisis, an Act of God, and a Brewing Crisis:<br /><a href="https://www.presenting-yourself.com/effective-crisis-management-means-sweating-the-small-stuff/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Effective Crisis Management Means Sweating the Small Stuff</a><br /><a href="https://www.presenting-yourself.com/crisis-communications-when-an-act-of-god-strikes/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Crisis Communications When an Act of God Strikes</a><br /><a href="https://www.presenting-yourself.com/how-a-manicurist-nicked-a-finger-and-started-a-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">How a Manicurist Nicked a Finger and Started a Crisis</a></p><h3><strong>Blogs That Entertained and Informed</strong></h3><p>We had some fun with these posts while providing tips on etiquette, what to do when you flub a presentation, where to sit in a meeting, and why your personal image is so important:<br /><a href="https://www.presenting-yourself.com/are-you-using-the-wrong-fork-a-business-primer-on-table-manners-and-etiquette/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Are You Using the Wrong Fork? A Business Primer on Table Manners and Etiquette</a><br /><a href="https://www.presenting-yourself.com/dont-faint-when-you-flub-a-presentation-laugh-at-yourself/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Don’t Faint When you Flub a Presentation – Laugh at Yourself</a><br /><a href="https://www.presenting-yourself.com/how-to-stand-out-by-where-you-sit-down/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">How to Stand Out by Where You Sit Down</a><br /><a href="https://www.presenting-yourself.com/are-you-sabotaging-your-presentations-with-an-out-of-date-image/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Are you Sabotaging Your Presentations With an Out-of-Date Image?</a></p><p>We welcome your comments and also suggestions for topics that you would like us to write about in the future.</p><p> </p><p> </p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/presentations-and-media-interviews-are-easy-when-you-know-how/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">13578</post-id> </item> <item> <title>How to Zoom Back to The Future</title> <link>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/how-to-zoom-back-to-the-future/</link> <comments>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/how-to-zoom-back-to-the-future/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[The Newman Group, Inc.]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 06 Sep 2023 11:15:09 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[powerful presentation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[professional image]]></category> <category><![CDATA[virtual presentations]]></category> <category><![CDATA[business presentations]]></category> <category><![CDATA[executive presentation skills]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Newman Group]]></category> <category><![CDATA[virtual training]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.presenting-yourself.com/?p=13015</guid> <description><![CDATA[Lights . . . Camera . . . Zoom! Zoom, with a capital “Z”, has become a verb in the American English language, almost as quickly as the word “pandemic” became part of our daily vernacular. Overnight and out of nowhere, “Zoom” the app became a fixture in the “new normal”, even after social distancing...]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure id="attachment_9655" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-9655" style="width: 258px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="wp-image-9655" style="font-weight: bold; color: var(--global-palette4);" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/PicturePhone02.jpg?resize=258%2C203&ssl=1" alt="" width="258" height="203" data-recalc-dims="1" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-9655" class="wp-caption-text">Picturephone 1964</figcaption></figure><p>Lights . . . Camera . . . Zoom!</p><p>Zoom, with a capital “Z”, has become a verb in the American English language, almost as quickly as the word “pandemic” became part of our daily vernacular. Overnight and out of nowhere, “Zoom” the app became a fixture in the “new normal”, even after social distancing guidelines disappeared.</p><p>Zoom achieved catch-all status to describe video meetings taking place on other platforms such as Cisco WebEx, FaceTime, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Skype, and the like. The Covid-19 pandemic quickly transformed many of us into a work-from-home life-style that required an immediate shift in how we communicate. The concept of one-to-one video calls conjures up images of The Jetsons and traces back to the 1964 World’s Fair at Flushing Meadow Park where fair goers got their first chance to make a video telephone call on AT&T’s Mod I Picturephone to a complete stranger at a similar Picturephone exhibit at Disneyland in California.</p><p>Internet based video connections are and will continue to play a vital, primary role in our communications beyond the time of staying home. As such, you need to be armed with the know-how to maintain your executive presence and edge in this not-so-new, but now commonplace practice. Here is what you need to know to successfully make the transition to professional looking video communications.</p><h3><strong>Camera</strong></h3><div></div><ul><li><strong>Type:</strong> The ideal camera is an external one that can be placed on top of your computer monitor or laptop screen. Such a camera gives a better quality image and is more flexible in the adjustments it allows versus one built into your smartphone, tablet or monitor. For roughly $50, an external camera is a relatively small investment to assure that you get the “look” you want. Ideally, your device and program can send a landscape (16 x 9 mode) picture. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-9562 alignleft" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/zoom_01.jpg?resize=277%2C196&ssl=1" alt="" width="277" height="196" data-recalc-dims="1" /></li><li><strong>Placement:</strong> Your camera should be at eye level, or just a bit above, directly in front of you. If, like many people, you are using a work laptop, you can achieve this by positioning it on a steady pile of books on the table or desk in front of you. Position yourself three to four feet from the camera for an optimal image.</li><li><strong>Don’t</strong> <strong>use a camera</strong> or angle that looks up at you revealing a full view of your nostrils and a distorted image of your face.</li><li><strong>Do</strong> <strong>keep your distance</strong>. Cameras on smartphones, tablets, and webcams tend to be wide angle, so if you get too close you will look out of proportion.</li><li><strong>Do practice using the camera</strong> in the chosen program before the actual meeting to see what you will look like to other meeting members. Move around so you can see if you stay in focus and how your movements affect the image quality.</li><li><strong>Do look directly into the camera</strong> just as you would look into the eyes of the person you are talking to if you weren’t doing so virtually.</li><li><strong>Do frame the shot</strong> from just slightly above your head to your waist. This allows a broadcaster, or editor, to put your name or other appropriate information on the bottom of the screen.</li></ul><h3><strong>The “Set”</strong></h3><p>Where you set up your call will say a lot about you — some of which you may not want to reveal to others in the “room.”</p><ul><li><strong>Do keep the background</strong> as simple and non-distracting as possible — you don’t want meeting attendees to be trying to figure out where that family photo behind you was taken or what’s outside your window.</li><li><strong>Do consider using the Virtual Background feature</strong> in Zoom that allows you to use any digital photo as your background image. There are several built into the program and hundreds are available online. Alternatively, Skype allows you to blur the background.</li></ul><h3><strong>Lighting</strong></h3><p>Lighting can be tricky. So again, be sure to practice before presenting to a client or doing a media interview. The best option is to be in a room that’s evenly lit.</p><ul><li><strong>Do have a source of light</strong> in front of you, not behind you including windows. This will give you a soft, pleasing look.</li><li><strong>Don’t have a “shady face,”</strong> meaning half your face is shadowed or blocked in some way. This will happen if the source of light is behind you or to one side. Placing a ring LED light in front of you can brighten your appearance on camera, reduce facial shadows, and hide imperfections.</li><li><strong>Do avoid sitting with your back to the window</strong> as the light from behind will drown out your face. Instead, face the window, so you are lit from the front.</li></ul><h3><strong>Wardrobe and Makeup</strong></h3><div></div><ul><li><strong>Do get out of those sweats.</strong> To maintain an executive presence, you must look like an executive. Even in a meeting with “just” colleagues, dress as if you are in the office. Wear business <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-9589 alignright" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ConfCall_PJs.jpg?resize=190%2C190&ssl=1" alt="" width="190" height="190" data-recalc-dims="1" />attire typical for your office environment. This will help you to avoid getting caught with your pants down, literally, should you need to stand up.</li><li><strong>Do choose solid colors</strong> for your top and accessories. Opt for strong, bold hues that pop on video, such as cobalt blue, red, or navy.</li><li><strong>Don’t wear patterns, plaids, stripes,</strong> or black and white (alone or in combination), so your audience can focus on you, not what you are wearing.</li><li><strong>Do consider the contrast</strong> of your clothing against the background colors when choosing what to wear.</li><li><strong>Do wash your face </strong>with a non-abrasive cleanser and pat it dry if you don’t use makeup. Everyone can benefit from dabbing their face with a tissue or an oil absorbing pad to reduce shine.</li><li><strong>Do use daytime makeup</strong> to maintain a clean, professional look — this isn’t the theater! Beauty expert Bobbie Brown recently suggested to Katie Couric that “women should wear a good blushey bronzer while keeping hair healthy looking, groomed and colored.” Brown also recommended Color WOW Root Cover Up, a popular powdered formula you can brush directly onto hair to camouflage roots while unable to see a professional colorist.</li></ul><h3><strong>Movement and Sound </strong></h3><div></div><ul><li><strong>Do use purposeful movements</strong> within the camera range. Sit up straight in a chair—avoid couches and swiveling in your chair.</li><li><strong>Do select “use my computer” for audio</strong> on Zoom. This will provide the best quality audio experience.</li><li><strong>Do choose a quiet area.</strong> To further enhance the sound, use ear buds or an ear headset along with your computer microphone.</li><li><strong>Do speak from your diaphragm</strong> to avoid projecting a tinny or breathy sound.</li><li><strong>Do put your phone on speaker</strong> instead of holding it up to your ear if using it for audio. Be sure the computer mic is turned off to avoid interference.</li><li><strong>Do keep your energy high</strong>, be conversational, and smile.</li></ul><h3><strong>Multi-Person Meeting</strong></h3><div></div><ul><li><strong>Do use mute when you enter</strong> the meeting and stay muted unless you are speaking. This will avoid disruptive extraneous background noises such as a telephone ringing, the dog barking, or a visitor popping into your space unexpectedly. It also prevents others from hearing the click-clack of your keyboard should you need to type.</li><li><strong>Do turn off your video when distracted.</strong> If you need to check emails, your phone, or whatever else grabs your attention, your name will appear on a black background so others don’t have to know that you aren’t 100 percent in the meeting.</li><li><strong>Don’t switch to a different app</strong> because other people may know. For example, Zoom allows the host to know if you switch away from the Zoom app for more than 30 seconds.</li></ul><h3><strong>Make Sure You . . .<br /></strong></h3><ul><li><strong>Look at the camera!</strong> It’s too easy to be distracted by other things happening on your screen.</li><li><strong>Smile and be enthusiastic.</strong> It makes your voice more pleasant to listen to and disguises any nervousness. You also appear more friendly and approachable.</li><li><strong>Test everything in advance</strong> so you appear as the confident and positive expert that you are.</li><li><strong>Prepare what you want to say.</strong> Make certain that your main talking points are expressed clearly and concisely.</li></ul><p>A bit of preparation goes a long way to making video calls appear professional, productive and manageable for all. When something goes awry, just move on. For many things the old-fashioned telephone is just as good.</p><figure id="attachment_9662" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-9662" style="width: 144px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-9662 " src="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Eileen2.jpg?resize=144%2C214&ssl=1" alt="" width="144" height="214" data-recalc-dims="1" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-9662" class="wp-caption-text">Eileen Winnick</figcaption></figure><p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Eileen Winnick, Senior Associate, The Newman Group, Inc., is a highly experienced presentation consultant and media trainer for authors, executives, physicians, financial advisors, and TV personalities. Her experience being in the “hot seat” gives her an added edge when preparing clients for media interviews. </em></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Eileen has worked with executives and authors to appear on such shows as CBS Good Morning, CBS Moneywatch, Bill Mahr, Charlie Rose, The Colbert Report, The Daily Show, Entertainment Tonight, Fox Entertainment News, Good Day New York, Good Morning America, The Larry King Show, Meet the Press, Nightline, Oprah, Sally Jesse Raphael, Squawk Box, 60 Minutes, 20/20, The Today Show, and The View.</em></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Eileen is a Certified Speech and English teacher with a Bachelor of Arts from Boston College and a Master of Arts in Corporate and Political Communications from Fairfield University. She is a member of Actors Equity Association, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and Screen Actors Guild.<br /></em></p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/how-to-zoom-back-to-the-future/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">13015</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Will Your “Tells” Derail Your Presentation or Media Interview?</title> <link>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/will-your-tells-derail-your-presentation-or-media-interview/</link> <comments>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/will-your-tells-derail-your-presentation-or-media-interview/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[The Newman Group, Inc.]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 23 Aug 2023 10:38:28 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[media interviews]]></category> <category><![CDATA[presentation skills]]></category> <category><![CDATA[virtual presentations]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Media interview tells]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Media tells]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Overcoming nerves]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Presentation tells]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Public speaking]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tells]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Newman Group]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.presenting-yourself.com/?p=13008</guid> <description><![CDATA[Even after just about 60 years, political pundits still talk about the “tells” that derailed Richard Nixon’s bid for the Presidency in 1960. “Tells” are subtle changes in a person’s behavior or demeanor that are dead giveaways that the person is nervous and uncomfortable during a presentation or media interview. If you’ve ever watched The...]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Even after just about 60 years, political pundits still talk about the “tells” that derailed Richard Nixon’s bid for the Presidency in 1960.</p><p>“Tells” are subtle changes in a person’s behavior or demeanor that are dead giveaways that the person is nervous and uncomfortable during a <a href="https://newmangroup.com">presentation or media interview</a>. If you’ve ever watched <a href="https://www.wsop.com/">The World Series of Poker</a> on TV, then you know about the “tells” that expose the strength or weakness of a player’s hand.</p><p>See if you can spot the “tells” in just the first two minutes of this first ever televised Presidential debate, between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy.<br /><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MmOlTR-yNf0" width="420" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><br /><span id="more-13008"></span><br />Did you notice the shine on Richard Nixon’s face that became more apparent as the minutes ticked away? By the end of the debate he was sweating profusely. He shifted his eyes, licked his lips and occasionally stumbled over words.</p><p>Nixon gripped the lectern as if his life depended upon it. Pundits felt that his demeanor and poor performance doomed his first bid for the presidency.</p><h3><b>Should You Worry About “Tells?”</b></h3><p>Many speakers worry unnecessarily about “tells.” It’s natural to experience dry mouth, or for you to perspire when you address a large audience. It’s unlikely that they will derail you like they did Richard Nixon. He was running for the Presidency. It’s hard to think any of us will ever have that kind of real-life pressure.</p><p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Fotolia_42555890_XS.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-4212" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Fotolia_42555890_XS-300x193.jpg?resize=210%2C135" alt="Worry about tells" width="210" height="135" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a>So, relax. You may give away your nervousness with “tells” but you can learn to manage them. Involuntary things happen, like your legs start to shake. If that’s the case, plant your feet firmly about a foot apart so you feel grounded.</p><p>If your neck and face flush when you speak to people, you can camouflage it by wearing a turtleneck or a silk scarf. You need to get it out of your head that everyone will notice that your hands are shaking. Even if they did and said something, you could reply, “Yes, they are as I’ve worked really hard on this project and want to do a good job. I’m a little nervous, but I can’t wait to show you how you will save money on this product launch.”</p><p>Turn your “tells” into a positive. No one will feel negatively about you or question your ability.</p><p>In one case, we coached an executive who was so high energy that he found it difficult not to talk too much during meetings. Also, every part of his body was in constant motion. Being quiet or still wasn’t in his genes. He spoke so rapidly that it was often difficult to understand him. That kind of energy can be unnerving to others.</p><p>We suggested that when he met with or addressed groups who did not know him that he begin by acknowledging his “tells” and to let the audience know that it was him and not them. He learned to be upfront about his tics and say something like, “I have a lot of energy and I tend to get overly excited when something is going great. So please bear with me.” This worked to get his audience on his side right at the start.</p><h3><b>Meeting with Reporters</b></h3><p>If you’re having an interview with a reporter from a top-tier media outlet, you may be nervous even if you’re prepared. You could say, “You may notice that I’m perspiring. That happens when I really care and want to get all the facts in the story straight. I’m a little nervous because you’re with The New York Times and this is really important.” Throw a little flattery their way.</p><p>Be courteous if a reporter is coming to your office to meet with you and other senior executives. Ask if you can get her coffee and if she would be more comfortable sitting on the couch.</p><p>Small talk is important at the beginning of an interview to put everyone at ease, especially you. Do your homework and try to find some common interest with the reporter. Possibly you went to the same college, or have mutual friends.</p><p>When meeting in the reporter’s office, notice the environment. Comment on his beautiful family in the photo on his desk. Relax and don’t jump right into the interview without these important preliminaries. Build a personal connection. Reporters are people too.</p><p>Know your grabber and how you’re going to start. Even bring your notes with you. The reporter will respect you because you’re prepared.</p><h3><b>Tamping Down the “Tells”</b></h3><p>You can minimize your “tells” by following a few simple rules:</p><p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Fotolia_45486112_XS.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-4213" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Fotolia_45486112_XS-300x200.jpg?resize=180%2C120" alt="Young woman looking vexed" width="180" height="120" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p><ul><li><b>Practice.</b> Nothing will get your “tells” acting up more than not being prepared. Practice your opening statement and your presentation or talking points so that you have them down pat. If you start fumbling around with what you’re going to say, you will bring on a case of nerves and the “tells” that expose them.</li><li><b>Use anecdotes. </b> People love stories. Get them so enthused they forget all about your nervousness.</li><li><b>Move around. </b> Step away from behind the lectern or be animated and use hand gestures during an interview. There’s a more informal atmosphere in business nowadays so it’s easy – and even expected – that you won’t be rooted to the lectern. Just be sure that you have the necessary amplification if you’re speaking in a large event space. For TV, be sure and keep your gestures close to your body so they stay within the frame of the camera.</li><li><b>Lower your voice. </b>By that, we mean women need to make an effort to start speaking in a lower pitch. This will keep them from sounding like Betty Boop who always spoke in a high squeaky voice.</li><li><b>Suck it up. </b>You can focus your nervous energy before you start to speak by clenching all your muscles and holding that position for a few seconds. Then release the tightness and you’ll have released some of your nervous energy. Yoga breathing can also help.</li><li><b>Use productive gestures.</b> Emphasize key points with hand gestures. Be careful if you’re seated that you don’t continuously swivel around in your chair while gesturing. Instead, anchor one foot on the floor. Swiveling is a big “tell,” as is twirling your hair with your fingers.</li></ul><p>Do yourself a favor and make an effort to stop obsessing about your “tells.” Get it out of your head that “OMG, they’ll find out that I sweat.” This is human. It happens to everyone. Stay in control and don’t allow your “tells” to derail your presentation or interview.</p><h6 class="zemanta-related-title" style="font-size: 1em;">Related articles</h6><ul class="zemanta-article-ul"><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="https://mashable.com/2017/02/25/whca-dinner-trump-refuses/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Donald Trump bows out of White House Correspondents dinner</a> (mashable.com)</li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="https://grumpyelder.com/2017/03/05/from-watergate-to-towergate-even-with-obamas-eavesdropping-and-obfuscating-trump-is-still-president/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">From Watergate to Towergate: Even With Obama’s “Eavesdropping” and Obfuscating, Trump is Still President</a> (grumpyelder.com)</li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ruth-bader-ginsburg-trump-america-first-amendment-2017-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ruth Bader Ginsburg: ‘We are not experiencing the best of times,’ but the public’s reaction offers ‘hope’</a> (businessinsider.com)</li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/04/business/a-nightmare-presidential-campaign-ad-that-stayed-in-the-vault.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">HistorySource: A ‘Nightmare’ Presidential Campaign Ad That Stayed in the Vault</a> (nytimes.com)</li></ul>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/will-your-tells-derail-your-presentation-or-media-interview/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">13008</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Should You Take Drugs to Overcome Your Fear of Speaking in Public?</title> <link>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/should-you-take-drugs-to-overcome-your-fear-of-speaking-in-public/</link> <comments>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/should-you-take-drugs-to-overcome-your-fear-of-speaking-in-public/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[The Newman Group, Inc.]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 10 Aug 2023 10:45:35 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[overcoming fear]]></category> <category><![CDATA[presentation disaster]]></category> <category><![CDATA[anxiety about public speaking]]></category> <category><![CDATA[beta blockers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Imposter syndrome]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Public speaking]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Speakers Bureau Training]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Stage fright]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Newman Group]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Virtual communications]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.presenting-yourself.com/?p=12999</guid> <description><![CDATA[Yes, you read that right. Some individuals have such bad stage fright that they are resistant to coaching. This post is not meant as a prescriptive that everyone take “something” to calm their nerves. Most people, with presentation or media training, can overcome their anxieties. They are content experts, but not experts at presenting themselves....]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://www.presenting-yourself.com/business-presentation-skills/should-you-take-drugs-to-overcome-your-fear-of-speaking-in-public/attachment/hand-with-a-pill/" rel="attachment wp-att-3997 nofollow"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-3997" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Fotolia_47618171_XS-150x150.jpg?resize=150%2C150" alt="hand with a pill" width="150" height="150" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a>Yes, you read that right. Some individuals have such bad stage fright that they are resistant to coaching.</p><p>This post is not meant as a prescriptive that everyone take “something” to calm their nerves. Most people, with <a href="https://www.presenting-yourself.com/business-presentation-skills/even-content-experts-need-presentation-training/" rel="nofollow">presentation</a> or <a href="https://www.presenting-yourself.com/celebrity-media-training/how-to-answer-questions-from-a-reporter-without-messing-up/" rel="nofollow">media training</a>, can overcome their anxieties. They are content experts, but not experts at presenting themselves.</p><h3><b>Drugs or Not?</b></h3><p>Then there are the speakers who are content experts and understand the rules of making a presentation and answering the media’s questions. <span id="more-12999"></span>They just freeze when they step into the spotlight. They can’t assert themselves or speak up.</p><p>This doesn’t happen very often but if we’ve just described you, then our advice is to see your doctor and explain your problem. Ask if a <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Health/AnxietyTreating/story?id=4664801" rel="nofollow">beta blocker</a> could help.</p><p>Some time ago we received a call from a very accomplished psychiatrist at a local hospital in charge of the psychiatric department. She had originally dropped out of medical school when it was time for rounds. That’s how terrified she was of presenting in front of her colleagues.</p><p>Even mental health professionals can have problems with anxiety when they’re required to speak in public. She eventually forced herself to return to school and earned her degree.</p><p>Fast forward. During our initial call, the doctor said that she was scheduled to make a presentation to the hospital’s Board of Directors. She was gripped with anxiety so we made an appointment to meet. Over the phone I talked her through the flow of our session and what to expect to help alleviate her fears.</p><p>On the day of her coaching session, she took two beta blockers just to confront her fears and which calmed her so that she could focus on her presentation and not her nerves.</p><p>We retooled her presentation for the Board and during her rehearsals she got to see herself on videotape as other people would see her.</p><p>She had built up in her head that she wasn’t any good when in reality she knew her subject matter cold and, with practice, she became very good at presenting it. After her meeting with the Board, she called to say her presentation went very well – but first she took her meds.<b><br /></b></p><h3><b>The Imposter Syndrome</b></h3><p>Sometimes the <a href="https://www.presenting-yourself.com/do-you-lack-self-confidence-and-feel-like-an-imposter/" rel="nofollow">imposter syndrome</a> causes excess nervousness and anxiety. You feel like a fraud. The imposter syndrome is holding you back. A beta blocker might help.</p><p><a href="https://articles.philly.com/2010-08-16/news/24973169_1_beta-blockers-graduate-student-performance-anxiety" rel="nofollow">Musicians and actors</a> often take beta blockers for what’s called “performance anxiety.”</p><p>Their nerves prevent them from giving their best performance. They may forget the score in the middle of a piano concerto or mess up their lines in a play.</p><p><a href="https://www.presenting-yourself.com/business-presentation-skills/should-you-take-drugs-to-overcome-your-fear-of-speaking-in-public/attachment/pill-bottle/" rel="attachment wp-att-3996 nofollow"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-3996" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Fotolia_39440824_XS-150x150.jpg?resize=150%2C150" alt="Pill Bottle" width="150" height="150" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a>Beta blockers aren’t for everyone. We can count on one hand the number of our clients who have visited a doctor for a prescription. But in extreme cases, doctors understand that these meds can work in alleviating anxiety.</p><p>You should never self-prescribe by borrowing a pill from a friend or relative. It can backfire. We happened to see an executive on The Today Show that we had coached previously (but not for this appearance). She looked and talked like she was in a coma. Our guess is that she overdid the beta blocker solution. Or, that she hadn’t taken a “test run” before appearing on TV to see how the medication affected her.</p><p>For someone with severe anxiety, speaking in public can seem as difficult as climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Before reaching for the pill bottle, though, contact a coach to see if it’s lack of training and not your nerves that is holding you back.</p><p>You are welcome to share your experience with performance anxiety in the comment box below.</p><h6 class="zemanta-related-title" style="font-size: 1em;">Related articles</h6><ul class="zemanta-article-ul"><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="https://www.chrisg.com/cold-feet/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">How to Avoid Cold-Feet Killing Your Progress</a> (chrisg.com)</li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="https://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2012/11/anticipation-vs-anxiety.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Anticipation vs. anxiety</a> (sethgodin.typepad.com)</li></ul><div class="zemanta-pixie" style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;"></div>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/should-you-take-drugs-to-overcome-your-fear-of-speaking-in-public/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">12999</post-id> </item> <item> <title>How to Maintain Control of the Q&A Following a Presentation</title> <link>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/how-to-maintain-control-of-the-qa-following-a-presentation/</link> <comments>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/how-to-maintain-control-of-the-qa-following-a-presentation/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[The Newman Group, Inc.]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 02 Aug 2023 10:15:19 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[q&a]]></category> <category><![CDATA[virtual presentations]]></category> <category><![CDATA[audience analysis]]></category> <category><![CDATA[executive presentation skills]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Eye contact]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Presentation skills]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Q&A]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Speakers Bureau Training]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Newman Group]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Virtual communications]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.presenting-yourself.com/?p=12990</guid> <description><![CDATA[You’ve just delivered a great presentation. Now it’s time for the Q&A and the first person to raise her hand asks: “Can you give me more details about this new technology?” and you’re left speechless. You don’t have the answer. Bring a Content Expert The Q&A following a presentation can be more important than the...]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure id="attachment_3586" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3586" style="width: 180px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Fotolia_45197029_XS.jpg?ssl=1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-3586" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Fotolia_45197029_XS.jpg?resize=180%2C180&ssl=1" alt="Controlling the Q&A" width="180" height="180" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3586" class="wp-caption-text">Controlling the Q&A</figcaption></figure><p>You’ve just delivered a great presentation. Now it’s time for the Q&A and the first person to raise her hand asks: “Can you give me more details about this new</p><p>technology?” and you’re left speechless. You don’t have the answer.</p><h3><strong>Bring a Content Expert</strong></h3><p>The Q&A following a presentation can be more important than the presentation itself. If you flub the group discussion you’ve lost your audience.</p><p>Be prepared for any question, including the ones you can’t answer yourself.</p><p>In that case, be sure to have a <span id="more-12990"></span>content expert available who does know the answers. It’s perfectly acceptable to reply, “I’ve asked Pete Johnson to join us to answer your technical questions. He’s our Director of New Product Development.” Then, hand the question off to Pete.</p><p>Be sure that you and Pete have reviewed how you’re going to reply to potential questions, even the ones you’d rather not answer at all, such as details regarding your organization’s intellectual property.</p><h3><strong>Audience Analysis</strong></h3><p>Whenever you prepare for a speaking engagement, take some time to familiarize yourself with your audience. Talk with the chairperson or organizer to find out as much as possible about the participants.</p><p>Knowing your audience is critical before preparing your presentation. It is just as important when you’re answering questions because you never know when someone is going to throw you a curve ball.</p><p>Learn as much as you can about the audience including:</p><ul><li>Who they are.</li><li>How they were selected to be participants.</li><li>Who the report to and if the decision-maker will be in the audience.</li><li>How much they know about the topic.</li><li>If they are friendly or hostile to your position.</li><li>Where they’ve gotten their information.</li><li>What information do they want? What do they need?</li><li>The attitude your listeners might have toward you, your subject, and your organization.</li></ul><p>After rehearsing your presentation, prep yourself for the three or four questions you expect that will make you squirm – such as how and why you decided on premium pricing for your product.</p><p>You don’t want to answer these “squirmer” questions but you’ve got to or else the audience will turn on you. Put all pertinent information such as dates, prices, and names on cards for <a class="zem_slink" title="Quick Recall" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quick_Recall" target="_blank" rel="noopener wikipedia noreferrer">quick recall</a> during the Q&A.</p><p>Review your key messages so that you can weave them into the informal group discussion.</p><h3><strong>Guidelines for the Q&A</strong><strong> </strong></h3><p>These guidelines can help you to maintain control and have a positive and productive Q&A:</p><ul><li>Be aware of your posture and body language. Although the formal presentation may have concluded, you are still “on stage.”</li><li>When asked a question, pay attention to the questioner. Don’t do anything distracting such as drinking water or writing a note.</li><li>Ask each questioner to state his name and affiliation first and then repeat or paraphrase each question when speaking to a large audience.</li><li>Maintain <a class="zem_slink" title="Eye contact" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_contact" target="_blank" rel="noopener wikipedia noreferrer">eye contact</a> until that person finishes asking the question. Then shift eye contact to other audience members. Complete your response by looking at a different person. This discourages someone from asking follow-up questions and dominating the discussion.</li><li>Reply simply and directly. Don’t make another speech. Remind questioners to keep their questions short and you should not let their questions become speeches either.</li><li>If you’re not prepared with an answer to a question, say something like, “Mr. Smith is our expert on that and I’d like to check with him so that I can get you the correct information. I’ll be back to you by (when).”</li><li>If someone doesn’t jump right up with a question, pose a question yourself about something you stated in the presentation.</li></ul><p>It’s essential to maintain control, even if there is a hostile “know-it-all” in the audience. Just one bully can wreak havoc and change the energy in the room.</p><p>Know when to end the Q&A. Close the session on a high note with a recap of the important points in your presentation that reinforce why they came to hear you speak.</p><p>Then issue a call to action for something you want, which is why you came to speak in the first place.</p><h6 class="zemanta-related-title" style="font-size: 1em;">Related articles</h6><ul class="zemanta-article-ul"><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="https://americanspeakerforum.wordpress.com/2012/09/06/handling-questions-during-presentations-what-to-do-when-you-dont-know-the-answer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Handling questions during presentations: What to do when you don’t know the answer</a> (americanspeakerforum.wordpress.com)</li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="https://www.presenting-yourself.com/business-presentation-skills/you-cant-be-listening-if-youre-always-interrupting/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">You Can’t be Listening if You’re Always Interrupting</a> (presenting-yourself.com)</li></ul><div class="zemanta-pixie" style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;"></div>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/how-to-maintain-control-of-the-qa-following-a-presentation/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">12990</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Commitment is a Virtue and a Necessity in Building Your Personal Brand</title> <link>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/commitment-is-a-virtue-and-a-necessity-in-building-your-personal-brand/</link> <comments>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/commitment-is-a-virtue-and-a-necessity-in-building-your-personal-brand/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[The Newman Group, Inc.]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 05 Jul 2023 10:16:48 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[personal brand]]></category> <category><![CDATA[presentation skills]]></category> <category><![CDATA[business etiquette]]></category> <category><![CDATA[business presentation skills]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Commitment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Executive presence]]></category> <category><![CDATA[executive presentation skills]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Personal Charisma]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Presentation Skills Training]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Professional image]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Newman Group]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.presenting-yourself.com/?p=12982</guid> <description><![CDATA[The other day I sat by the phone waiting for the call about a potential coaching assignment. The phone never rang. The person who booked the session never bothered to call or write to explain why she didn’t follow through. Was she sick? Did she have to go out of town suddenly? I’ll never know,...]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/iStock_000016701665XSmall.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-3516" title="iStock_000016701665XSmall" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/iStock_000016701665XSmall-300x199.jpg?resize=168%2C111" alt="personal brand" width="168" height="111" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a>The other day I sat by the phone waiting for the call about a potential <a href="https://www.newmangroup.com/">coaching</a> assignment. The phone never rang.</p><p>The person who booked the session never bothered to call or write to explain why she didn’t follow through. Was she sick? Did she have to go out of town suddenly? I’ll never know, even though I sent her an email asking. She did eventually call wanting to set up a training session. I declined.</p><h3><strong>Honoring Commitments</strong></h3><p>When did it become OK not to honor commitments? <span id="more-12982"></span>Honoring your commitments is a virtue. It’s polite. It’s respectful. It also reflects your character and is part of the impression you make.</p><p>You can damage your <a href="https://www.personalbrandingblog.com/">personal brand</a> if you don’t show up when you say you will or you’re chronically late for appointments.</p><p>Responsible people plan their schedules around the commitments they make, and they expect people to keep their commitments to them. If you’re not dependable, you lose all credibility.</p><p>You can blame it on the Internet or the fact that everyone seems to have too much to do these days. But that’s just an excuse. It’s insulting when a client, or friend, goes out of his way to do something for you or schedules a date, and you don’t bother to keep it.</p><h3><strong>Giving to Get</strong></h3><p>We often hear from reporters who have scheduled a <a href="https://newmangroup.com/media-training">media interview</a> that the spokesperson never showed up. That can be disastrous for your company.<br /><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Fotolia_44481889_XS.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-3515" title="Time to start" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Fotolia_44481889_XS-300x152.jpg?resize=210%2C106" alt="" width="210" height="106" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p><p>Just remember that you live by the relationships you build. Don’t expect a reporter to return your calls if you never return his. Don’t expect any breaks if you have a crisis and you’re relying on the good will you haven’t developed with the reporter because you didn’t follow through on past commitments.</p><p>Commitment also means giving to your colleagues, your customers and to your business community. We’ve seen reputations go up in flames because someone thought it was acceptable to renege on a commitment he made to arrange a program for his professional association.</p><p>A friend was at an event and started a conversation with someone she didn’t know. It turns out the guest was “in transition” (think out of work) but she was quick to belittle the sponsoring organization and its members by saying, “I don’t have time for these kinds of organizations when I’m working.” How insulting.</p><p>Why should she expect help when she never made a commitment to the organization by volunteering for projects or helping to introduce members to important contacts?</p><h3><strong>Giving Thanks</strong></h3><p>Many people ignore the commitment and obligation to say “thank you.” That includes sending thank-you notes. After you’ve made a presentation, do you thank a prospective client for their time? You should.</p><p>We all have many commitments – to work, to family, to friends and to country. But we should never forget the commitment to ourselves. That is a commitment to strive for excellence in everything we do, to treat others with respect and expect it in return.</p><p>The famous racecar driver <a href="https://www.marioandretti.com/biography">Mario Andretti</a> had this advice, “Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal — a commitment to excellence — that will enable you to attain the success you seek.”</p><p>That commitment includes keeping your appointments, following through on your promises and giving genuine thanks to people who have helped you in your job, your career and in your life.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/commitment-is-a-virtue-and-a-necessity-in-building-your-personal-brand/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">12982</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Do You Think You Have the Executive Presence to Get Ahead? Think Again</title> <link>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/do-you-think-you-have-the-executive-presence-to-get-ahead-think-again/</link> <comments>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/do-you-think-you-have-the-executive-presence-to-get-ahead-think-again/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[The Newman Group, Inc.]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 28 Jun 2023 10:23:20 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[executive presence]]></category> <category><![CDATA[job interviews]]></category> <category><![CDATA[personal charisma]]></category> <category><![CDATA[professional image]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Center for Talent Innovation']]></category> <category><![CDATA[executive presentation skills]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Gravitas]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marie Claire]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Personal Charisma]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Presentation Skills Training]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Professional appearance]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sylvia Ann Hewlett]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Newman Group]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.presenting-yourself.com/?p=12976</guid> <description><![CDATA[If you wonder why so few women are running Fortune 500 companies, it’s because they lack “executive presence.” That’s not our opinion, but the results of a revealing study that’s summarized in a special @WORK supplement in Marie Claire magazine. Looking and Acting the Part In the view of Sylvia Ann Hewlett, founder of Center...]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure id="attachment_3613" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3613" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/WSJ_Photo.jpg" rel="nofollow"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-3613 size-medium" title="WSJ_Photo" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/WSJ_Photo.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1" alt="Executive Presence" width="300" height="200" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3613" class="wp-caption-text">Appearance Counts</figcaption></figure><p>If you wonder why so few women are running Fortune 500 companies, it’s because they lack “executive presence.” That’s not our opinion, but the results of a revealing study that’s summarized in a special @WORK supplement in <a href="https://www.marieclaire.com/career-advice/" rel="nofollow"><em>Marie Claire</em></a> magazine.</p><h3><strong>Looking and Acting the Part</strong></h3><p>In the view of Sylvia Ann Hewlett, founder of Center for Talent Innovation (CTI) the think tank that conducted the study, these are the traits that will make you a contender for the top spot:<span id="more-12976"></span></p><ul><li>How you look</li><li>How you speak</li><li>How you behave</li></ul><p>“Nailing these three things makes you a contender,” she says. They are essential to what she called the “Big Picture,” or the traits that are the most important aspect of executive presence: gravitas, communication and appearance.</p><p>Surprising to us, both women and men in the sample of 4,000 white-collar professionals ranked the relative importance of these traits almost exactly the same.</p><p>Gravitas — which among other things includes being, decisive, authentic and inspirational — is considered the most important quality, by far, that you need to get ahead, with more than 60 percent of both sexes ranking that first.</p><h3><strong>Appearance Counts</strong></h3><p>Fewer than 10 percent of both women and men considered appearance important. Yet Ms. Hewlett considers wardrobe a crucial factor in executive presence, “It doesn’t seem that important, but it’s a critical piece of the puzzle because it’s the first filter.</p><p>“If you show up looking sloppy and as if you don’t care how you look, no matter how impressive your ideas are, no one is going to pay attention to you. People take you more seriously if you look polished,” she added.</p><p>These guidelines apply to both women and men. Recently, we coached a top executive who was giving a presentation to 500 of his client’s most important customers. Tony is good looking, polished and well prepared. He looked great in his well-tailored suit –until he walked from one side of the stage to the other.</p><p>That’s when his wing-tipped shoes were literally front and center. He had substituted <strong>orange shoelaces</strong> for the black laces that came with the shoes because he had read a <a href="https://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704754304576096102566911130.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Wall Street Journal </a> article that said men could have some fun and express their personality by wearing colored shoelaces.</p><p>Sure, that’s great on a weekend, or on your running shoes, but not in front of a conservative audience that you want to persuade to your point of view. While he did a great job on his remarks, the orange shoelaces were a distraction and took away from his gravitas.</p><p>The seemingly little things are the ones that count!</p><p>When working with a group of doctors from the Netherlands, a Key Opinion Leader was invited to speak to the Dutch physicians. Those of us who knew the speaker were used to her “look” and were not surprised by her usual baggy black clothes, the clogs on her feet or her mane of long, disheveled hair</p><p>During the break, the Dutch doctors pulled me aside to tell me how insulted they were over the way this specialist presented herself. Her dismal appearance made them feel they weren’t important enough for her to make an effort to dress appropriately.</p><p>Even Mark Zuckerberg, the vaunted founder of Facebook, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2012/05/09/tech/social-media/zuckerberg-hoodie-wall-street/index.html" rel="nofollow">irritated the investment community</a> when he showed up at the New York Stock Exchange in his celebrated hoodie instead of the Wall Street uniform of business suit, shirt and tie.</p><p>Again, appearance matters!</p><h3><strong>Mistakes to Avoid</strong></h3><p>Women in the study were their own harshest critics. These are their biggest no-no’s when it comes to at-work appearance:</p><ul><li>No bra – 74%</li><li>Too-tight clothing – 68%</li><li>Unkempt hair – 67%</li><li>Visible lingerie/panty line – 50%</li></ul><p>We’re not surprised at these findings because during the course of our training sessions, we often see women making these same mistakes.</p><figure id="attachment_3616" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3616" style="width: 172px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/3-way2.jpg" rel="nofollow"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-3616" title="3-way2" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/3-way2.jpg?resize=172%2C200" alt="" width="172" height="200" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3616" class="wp-caption-text">Michael Kor’s Fashion Week Advice</figcaption></figure><p>It’s critical for women — and men — to create a <a href="https://www.presenting-yourself.com/are-you-sabotaging-your-presentations-with-an-out-of-date-image/" rel="nofollow">professional image</a>.</p><p>We tell our clients that what you say is important, but a first impression is formed by your appearance before you even begin to speak.</p><p>Your personal style, or image, is a silent introduction of yourself to others. Whenever you walk into a room, your clothing, personal grooming and body language are on immediate display.</p><p>Women don’t project gravitas when they enter a meeting with messy hair or wear inappropriate attire such as a dress that is too short or too low cut.</p><p>For a man, wearing an earring, no matter how small, doesn’t project a corporate image. A wrinkled shirt or suit is another common mistake. We’ve told male clients that they resembled an unmade bed and that a wardrobe upgrade was necessary. And, yes, these same executives still work with us.</p><h3><strong>How You Speak and Behave</strong></h3><p>As Ms. Hewlett points out, it’s important to know the simple rules of engagement. Speak up and use <a href="https://www.presenting-yourself.com/business-presentation-skills/use-power-words-in-presentations-and-media-interviews/" rel="nofollow">power words</a> such as “I’m confident” rather than “I think”.</p><p>Be aware of your <a href="https://www.presenting-yourself.com/business-presentation-skills/body-language-speaks-louder-than-words/" rel="nofollow">body language</a> because that will speak louder than any words you use. Continue to maintain eye contact and be attentive to the person you’re talking to. Glancing at your smart phone for the latest email is rude and disrespectful.</p><p>It’s essential to become more assertive to persuade people to accept your ideas without appearing “pushy,” a pejorative that’s unfortunately applied to women more than men.</p><p>How you look, how you speak and how you behave are all part of your overall image. During NYC’s Fashion Week, Michael Kors was asked what advice he had for people before they hit the stores. Kors’ reply was priceless. He said, “get a three-way mirror.” That’s great advice for everyone!</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/do-you-think-you-have-the-executive-presence-to-get-ahead-think-again/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">12976</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Choose the Proper Elements of Style for Your Presentations</title> <link>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/choose-the-proper-elements-of-style-for-your-presentations/</link> <comments>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/choose-the-proper-elements-of-style-for-your-presentations/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[The Newman Group, Inc.]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 14 Jun 2023 10:18:09 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[grammar]]></category> <category><![CDATA[presentation skills]]></category> <category><![CDATA[active voice]]></category> <category><![CDATA[business presentation skills]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Effective presentations]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Elements of Style]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Presentation Skills Training]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Strunk & White]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Newman Group]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.presenting-yourself.com/?p=12967</guid> <description><![CDATA[The first presentation by me I’ll always remember. You would never use the passive tense to say, “I’ll always remember my first presentation.” Would you? Yet speakers too often use passive tenses in their presentations. As Strunk and White state in their classic The Elements of Style: “Avoid tame, colorless, hesitating, noncommittal language.” This gem...]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The first presentation by me I’ll always remember. You would never use the passive tense to say, “I’ll always remember my first presentation.” Would you?</p><p>Yet speakers too often use passive tenses in their <a href="https://newmangroup.com/presentation-skills">presentations</a>. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-3956" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Elements-of-Style-cover-1-13.jpg?resize=127%2C199&ssl=1" alt="Use proper grammar in your presentations" width="127" height="199" data-recalc-dims="1" /> As Strunk and White state in their classic <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Elements_of_Style">The Elements of Style</a>: “Avoid tame, colorless, hesitating, noncommittal language.”</p><p>This gem of a book has guided writers for more than 50 years. In 2011, <em>Time Magazine </em>listed it among The Best 100 Non-Fiction Books ever written. We urge everyone who values simple writing to read it.<span id="more-12967"></span></p><h3><b>Words of Wisdom</b></h3><p>As a presenter, you want your talks to be powerful and persuade your audience to your point of view. Wishy-washy phrases and extraneous words will kill your momentum.</p><p>Blame the Internet for the degradation of language when it’s so easy to write Tx instead of Thanks. Shortcuts lead to even worse prose such as these tweets:</p><ul><li><i>Wanna EXPLODE ur biz in 2013? Well, you’re gonna need the right tools!</i></li><li><i>Charlie bit my chocolate double rainbow gangam style. Twice</i>.</li><li><i>What the what? Tweeps are boring? Say it ain’t so, Tina Fey.</i></li><li><i>Here’s a pic of the part of the bridge that fell. No delay will be caused.</i></li></ul><p>Shortcuts in writing have become the norm on social media networks. They shouldn’t be used if you’re writing to a client, or included in a handout after a presentation.</p><p>Those of us who blog, text, post to social networks and present to live audiences can learn from the authors’ admonitions: use the active voice; omit needless words; put statements in positive form; and use definite, specific, concrete language.</p><h3><b>How It’s Organized</b></h3><p>The book is organized by subject. It includes these pieces of wisdom that you can apply to your presentations:</p><ul><li><b>Elementary Rules of Usage</b>. Form the possessive singular of nouns by adding ‘s, even if the word ends in “s” – such as Charles’s. The AP doesn’t but many wordsmiths defend Strunk and White’s rule.</li><li><b>Elementary Principles of Composition</b>. Use the active voice. “I shall always remember my first trip to Boston,” not “My first trip to Boston will always be remembered by me.”</li><li><b>A Few Matters of Form</b>. Do not attempt to emphasize simple statements by using a mark of exclamation. “It was a wonderful show,” not “It was a wonderful show!” The first edition of this book was written in 1918 before the exclamation point became ubiquitous in emails. The authors would probably swoon with displeasure over the use of :).</li><li><b>An Approach to Style</b>. Avoid the use of qualifiers such as “<i>Rather, very, little, pretty</i> – these are the leeches that infest the pond of prose, sucking the blood of words.”</li></ul><h3><b>Power Words</b></h3><p>Speakers should check for proper grammar and use <a href="https://www.presenting-yourself.com/business-presentation-skills/use-power-words-in-presentations-and-media-interviews/">power words</a> in forcefully stating their views. As Winston Churchill said,</p><p><i> “If you have an important point to make, don’t try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time – a tremendous whack.” </i></p><p>PR News published its own list of 30 problem words and phrases. Among the worst offenders that make us cringe are:</p><ul><li><strong><i>Due to the fact that:</i></strong><i> Replace this phrase with</i> “<em>because</em>.”</li><li><strong><i>Basically, essentially, totally:</i></strong><i> Basically, these words are essentially nonessential, and you can totally dispense with them.</i></li><li><strong><i>Oftentimes:</i></strong><i> An outdated, unnecessary complication of “<em>often</em></i>.”</li></ul><p>Do you find yourself using these extraneous words or phrases in your presentations? Then delete them.</p><p>If you want to polish your grammar, consider buying a copy of The Elements of Style on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/The-Elements-Style-William-Strunk/dp/1612931103/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1358385617&sr=8-2&keywords=the+elements+of+style">Amazon</a> or from antiquarian booksellers for under $10. It may be the best money you ever spent.</p><p>Are there grammatical errors that drive you crazy? Let us know what they are in the comment box below.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/choose-the-proper-elements-of-style-for-your-presentations/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">12967</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Even Content Experts Need Presentation Training</title> <link>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/even-content-experts-need-presentation-training/</link> <comments>https://www.presenting-yourself.com/even-content-experts-need-presentation-training/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[The Newman Group, Inc.]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 07 Jun 2023 10:20:50 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[presentation skills]]></category> <category><![CDATA[business presentation skills]]></category> <category><![CDATA[executive presentation skills]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Presentation content]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Presentation training]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Public speaking]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Speakers Bureau Training]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Newman Group]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.presenting-yourself.com/?p=12962</guid> <description><![CDATA[It is always impressive to be at an industry function and learn something new from expert speakers that you can use in your business. You might well wonder just how they can master so much complex information. But That’s the Problem You also wonder sometimes just exactly what they’re saying. Too many speakers botch their...]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Fotolia_12888754_XS.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-2985" title="People on conference" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Fotolia_12888754_XS-150x150.jpg?resize=150%2C150" alt="" width="150" height="150" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a>It is always impressive to be at an industry function and learn something new from expert speakers that you can use in your business. You might well wonder just how they can master so much complex information.</p><h3><strong>But That’s the Problem</strong></h3><p>You also wonder sometimes just exactly what they’re saying.<span id="more-12962"></span></p><p>Too many speakers botch their presentations by thinking their content expertise will translate into superior <a href="https://newmangroup.com/business-presentation.html">presentation skills</a>? Or, they can’t be bothered to learn the techniques that will turn a good speech into a great one. “Is a puzzlement,” to <a href="https://rodgersandhammerstein.com/song/the-king-and-i/a-puzzlement/">quote</a> from the “King and I.”</p><h3><strong>A Botched Presentation</strong></h3><p>At a recent seminar on social media the facilitator and the two expert speakers were a classic case study of how not to make a presentation.</p><p>It was quite startling to see how many things went wrong.</p><h3><strong>Learn From the Experts</strong></h3><p>For starters, the presentation was held in a very long rectangular room with guests seated <a href="https://www.ehow.com/facts_6301929_theater-style-seating_.html">theater</a> style. Those not seated in the center of the room could barely see the PowerPoint presentation.</p><p>It’s possible another conference room wasn’t available, but the organizers needed to take that into account when determining their presentation set up. They could have simply projected the slides onto two screens, instead of only one in the center, allowing everyone in the audience to view their visuals.</p><p><strong>THE ROOM. </strong>The room was extremely hot and the facilitator said the building had been notified and “hopefully” the room would cool down in a half hour or so.</p><ul><li><strong>Lesson</strong>: Always arrive one hour prior to a presentation to check the room setup as well as the room temperature. Never count on anyone who says “hopefully”.</li></ul><p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Fotolia_23704610_XS.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-2987 alignleft" title="at seminar" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.presenting-yourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Fotolia_23704610_XS-150x150.jpg?resize=150%2C150" alt="" width="150" height="150" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a><strong>THE MICROPHONE</strong>. The first speaker was waving it around which was distracting. She was impossible to hear unless you were seated up front in her half of the room.</p><ul><li><strong>Lesson: </strong>Speakers need to speak directly into the microphone. Better yet, wear a hands free lavaliere, or lapel microphone, so you can concentrate on your talk and use gestures to elaborate your points. Speak to everyone in the room, not just those in your immediate vicinity.</li></ul><p><strong>THE SPEECHES.</strong> Both speakers spoke too rapidly and swallowed their words. They also presented the exact same material! The facilitator had obviously not conferred with them in advance to gain concurrence on which aspects of the topic they would each cover. It was boring to hear the second speaker say over and over again, “As Mary said…”</p><ul><li><strong>Lesson: </strong>The facilitator and speakers need to decide in advance, either through a phone call or meeting, how they will divide the content to be presented.</li></ul><p><strong>THE TIMING.</strong> The first speaker was scheduled to speak for 30 minutes with 15 minutes for Q&A. She had not finished speaking after an hour, even though the facilitator got up from his seat and signaled that her time was up. She said, “Just another minute for this last slide” which, to compound the felony, had nine bullet points that she had to discuss! This is beyond rude.</p><ul><li><strong>Lesson:</strong> Practice your speech and time it. Be ruthless in cutting it down to fit into your allotted time. If necessary, perform major surgery on your remarks. Your audience will start fidgeting and tune you out if you run over. You also risk not being invited back to speak at a future conference. (Note: We challenge you to find a <a href="https://www.ted.com/">TED</a> talk that is longer than 18 minutes!).</li></ul><p><strong>THE SLIDES. </strong> When will speakers learn that you cannot copy your handouts onto your slides? That’s just lazy. Slides packed with dense type are impossible to read.</p><ul><li><strong>Lesson: </strong> Create new slides and use bullet points – not more than six to a slide – and use bold, colorful images. If you need to apologize for slides the audience can’t read, then don’t use them.</li></ul><p><strong>THE Q&A.</strong> Both speakers allowed themselves to be interrupted by audience members who spoke up without permission. The speakers then went off on tangents that didn’t relate to the talks.</p><ul><li><strong>Lesson:</strong> Decide in advance how you will handle questions. Do you want to take questions during the presentation or wait until after the speech is over? Or, do you want participants to write their questions on index cards so the facilitator can vet them? It’s acceptable either way. But decide what you want to do, tell the audience, and stick to the rules you’ve set.</li></ul><h3><strong>Prepare for a Great Presentation</strong></h3><p>Even the most polished and practiced speakers rehearse and have presentation coaches. 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