Speak by Design’s Post

Growing up, I admired leaders who excelled during presentations. I thought they were born with it and that being a strong presenter was something you either had or didn't. Then, one day, a mentor told me I needed to work on my presentation skills to advance my career. I was skeptical, but I made it my mission to improve. I read every book on presentations, watched countless YouTube videos, talked to experts, and observed how others prepared. Here's what I learned about good presenters: - It’s not something you're born with. It’s a skill you can develop if you work on it.  - They prepare thoroughly. Even Steve Jobs spent 90 hours preparing for his keynote speeches. - The intro sets the stage. Plan it well. - People don’t like staying on the same slide for too long. Make 2-3 points and move on. - If you don’t outline the next steps, don’t expect any action after the presentation. - Don’t rely on memory to come up with great points on the spot. Plan and prepare ahead of time. I'm glad my mentor gave me this feedback, and I'm here to remind you not to let poor presentation skills impact your career growth. If this resonates with you, here are the four steps I follow every time I give a presentation. https://bit.ly/3yUy7Ud

I recently finished reading "𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙤 𝙒𝙞𝙣 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄𝙣𝙛𝙡𝙪𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙋𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚" 𝙗𝙮 𝘿𝙖𝙡𝙚 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙚, and I’m reminded of its profound impact on personal and professional relationships. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to enhance their communication skills and connect more meaningfully with others. Here are a few key takeaways that stand out: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: Carnegie teaches us that listening is just as important as speaking. People appreciate when they feel heard and understood. 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹: Understanding and appreciating others’ viewpoints can create stronger bonds and foster collaboration. 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Acknowledging others' efforts, no matter how small, can boost morale and inspire greater productivity. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀: Remembering someone’s name is a simple yet powerful way to show respect and build rapport. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: Instead of criticizing, offer constructive feedback and support. This encourages growth rather than defensiveness. These principles have transformed my approach to networking and leadership, proving that genuine connections are the foundation of success. If you haven’t explored this classic yet, I highly recommend it! What insights have you gained from this book, or do you have other favorites on building relationships? Let’s share our thoughts! #Leadership #Communication #Influence #DaleCarnegie #Networking #PersonalDevelopment

𝗡𝘂𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆'𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀 Senior leaders who fail to actively listen during critical exchanges are bypassing valuable insights. Does this business hurdle sound familiar? I acknowledge the frustration stemming from ineffective listening during crucial interactions, such as sales calls or customer feedback sessions. Rest assured, you're not alone in this struggle. What's the price of remaining idle? The consequences include fleeting customer relationships, unproductive management, tarnished brand image, and stalled corporate growth. Roll out a comprehensive initiative across your organization that fosters better listening and enhanced communication. Here's a blueprint: ▪️ Develop a team of in-house trainers specialized in listening skills. ▪️ Organise regular training sessions. ▪️ Conduct interactive workshops dedicated to the practice and application of active listening. ▪️ Incorporate these skills into performance evaluations. ▪️ Acknowledge and celebrate improvements. By cultivating listening skills across every tier of your organization, expect to witness enriched customer relationships, a bolstered brand reputation, and a trajectory toward sustainable growth. Reflect upon this: Are you genuinely listening as a pathway to success? I invite you to share your experiences or insights below. ➖➖➖ More than 150 million people have viewed my five TED and 11 TEDx talks, which include the sixth most-viewed TED talk of all time. Over 150,000 students have taken my online courses in communication skills, and I have delivered powerful in-person and virtual keynotes to international audiences ranging from 50 to 11,000. My mission is to reveal the hidden truths that can transform the critical communication skills of powerful speaking and conscious listening. ***** 👉 Message me here on LinkedIn to discuss virtual and in-person speaking or coaching engagements, my communication workshop, or consultancy on sound. 👉 Book me on ThinkersOne for an affordable 15-minute live appearance at a team meeting or event. 👉 Type "SEVEN" in the COMMENTS below, and I’ll send you a FREE PDF "The Seven Sins and Seven Virtues of Communication." #growth #management #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #teameffectiveness #listeningskills

I recently came across a new concept to me named "Think +2" Think +2 means considering how your communication will be understood and used two steps ahead. Whether it's writing an email, delivering a presentation, or engaging in a normal chat, Thinking like the boss of your boss is a game changer! It creates a strategic value, helps streamline processes and make sure everyone's on the same page. But "Think +2" isn't just about efficiency and communication forward looking, It can also boost your reputation at work by enhancing the following: 1️⃣ Leadership visibility: When you consistently think ahead in your communication, you position yourself as a strategic thinker, gaining recognition among leadership. 2️⃣ Building Trust: Being clear and forward-thinking earns trust from your colleagues. This reliability can establish you as a go-to person within your network. 3️⃣ Grow your Influence: Clear and forward looking communication makes your ideas more persuasive. People listen when you add value to any conversation. It’s proven that adopting "Think +2" mindset will make a big difference in enhancing your personal brand, positively impacting your value and reputation in your company. Try it and stay 2 steps ahead 😊 #yamenabdelaziz #thinkplustwo #career

Top 20 Reasons Public Speaking is Essential for Leaders 1. Inspires Action: Motivates teams to pursue shared goals with passion. 2. Builds Trust: Fosters transparency and credibility within the team. 3. Enhances Influence: Strengthens your ability to persuade and engage stakeholders. 4. Promotes Clarity: Helps articulate thoughts and ideas clearly and concisely. 5. Encourages Feedback: Opens the door for dialogue and constructive criticism. 6. Strengthens Connections: Personal stories create rapport with your audience. 7. Boosts Confidence: The more you practice, the more self-assured you become. 8. Facilitates Change: Enables effective communication during times of transition. 9. Showcases Expertise: Highlights your knowledge and skills in your field. 10. Creates Opportunities: Opens doors for networking and collaboration. 11. Increases Engagement: Captivating speeches keep the audience involved and interested. 12. Clarifies Vision: Helps articulate your vision and mission to others. 13. Encourages Team Cohesion: Speaking to a group fosters a sense of belonging. 14. Develops Critical Thinking: Organizing thoughts for a speech sharpens analytical skills. 15. Improves Listening Skills: Engaging with an audience enhances your ability to listen actively. 16. Shapes Organizational Culture: Public speaking can influence and reinforce company values. 17. Manages Conflict: Strong communication skills can help resolve misunderstandings. 18. Promotes Professional Growth: Public speaking experiences can lead to career advancement. 19. Facilitates Learning: Teaching concepts through speaking enhances both your and your audience's understanding. 20. Increases Visibility: Speaking engagements can elevate your profile within your industry. Public speaking is a vital skill for impactful leadership! Which reason resonates most with you?... #leadership #communication #management #innovation #futurism

Presentation hacks

Very effective guidance, in my humble opinion

Simple!!! Marketing tells teams this all the time. Clean minimalistic slides during a presentation is the trend. Don’t overthink it and let your voice be heard…not dated slide decks!

This should be taught in all language classes.