What is my whole self? Actors often talk about bringing their whole selves to the stage, which means how we experience them while they are on the stage.Are they physically, emotionally, and intellectually present?Eugenio Barba developed a unique program in Denmark for Odin Teatret that was … [Read more...] about Bring Your Whole Self.
Claiming Your Executive Voice: Communicate like a leader
An "Executive Voice" is the ability to communicate high level ideas while conveying confidence and credibility in the details. People who have to communicate complicated messages to a wide range of audiences (board members, C-Suite, clients, partners, employees and peers) may find that it is … [Read more...] about Claiming Your Executive Voice: Communicate like a leader
How Can You Have More Presence?
With this one subtle change in your body, you can easily increase your presence in a room. If you are interested in finding out more ways to improve your presence, check out my workshop on Leadership Presence for Women this September 13th. … [Read more...] about How Can You Have More Presence?
“Expectation Is The Root Of All Heartache” – Shakespeare
What do you do when you have to speak in front of a large group of people or when you are expected to present information at a high-stakes meeting?There are three basic steps that everyone has to do in order to prepare themselves to be at their best when presenting in front of a group:Know what … [Read more...] about “Expectation Is The Root Of All Heartache” – Shakespeare
Give ‘Em Space (To Earn Trust)
Have you ever been in a situation where you are trying to communicate something important to another person, only to find that the more you talk the less they understand?If your answer is "no" then I'm going to assume that you have never tried to teach a teenager how to drive a car.No matter how … [Read more...] about Give ‘Em Space (To Earn Trust)
You Have A Choice
You have a choice. How often do you hear people say, "I'm just not a public speaker" or "I'm just not wired that way" when they are asked to do something outside their comfort zone? How often do we feel helpless in the face of our own perceived limitations? While I know that personality traits and … [Read more...] about You Have A Choice
Authenticity Takes Hard Work
While there is so much talk in business and culture about authenticity (like here, here and here), there is very little talk about what it takes to get it.It's a little like the advice you'd get as a kid before going to a big interview or asking someone out on a date: "Just be yourself."Yes! So … [Read more...] about Authenticity Takes Hard Work
You Have To Go Through It.
There is this moment in theater and in film where the actors and the director get together for the first time as a group to read through the script out loud. It is very chummy and people are often excited and a little nervous. They ask questions and talk and talk and read and talk. It's probably the … [Read more...] about You Have To Go Through It.
Risking Embarrassment
I always hated to feel embarrassed.There is something existentially threatening about everyone seeing me with my (proverbial) pants down.And over the course of my life I have made choices that helped to avoid that level of embarrassment and always to my detriment. I didn't raise my hand to … [Read more...] about Risking Embarrassment
The “Right Kind” of Arrogance
I was meeting with a client a few weeks ago who told me that he looks for entrepreneurs with the "right kind of arrogance," which I found to be a fascinating way to explain something that is very confusing to most of us.What does it mean to have the "right" kind and what exactly is the … [Read more...] about The “Right Kind” of Arrogance
Asking Permission for Authority
Have you ever had to take direction from someone who looks like he/she is not entirely sure who is in charge?Frustrating, isn't it?We had a teacher in high school who taught speech class, and he was notorious for being unable to handle a classroom of teenagers. Every time he turned his back … [Read more...] about Asking Permission for Authority