Category: Speaking

We are not being helpful to ourselves, our sanity and wellbeing if we always say “yes.” We need to be clear about where our work priorities lie – what the boundaries of our role are in order that we concentrate our time and energy on the right things. Saying “no” then is an absolute “yes.”  Helpful ways to say […]

There is a lot of confusion about being assertive vs being aggressive. Here is some guidance, or at least food for thought that might add some clarity.  Assertive behaviors  Aggressive behaviors are the converse  A word of caution  The caution about trying to avoid aggressiveness and replacing it with assertiveness is that some people will take it too far the other way… […]

The job you have always wanted is within your grasp. Qualifications, experience, and knowledge have taken you into the 2% of candidates applying for jobs who are selected for interview. The pressure is on, but remember, at its core, an interview is a conversation. It’s a speaking exercise. A chat. It’s something you do every day.  To help you […]

Do you want to communicate with confidence, keep audiences engaged, and finish with people wanting more? Strong public speaking is a career accelerator for Assistants and an essential skill when supporting executives.Here are 12 practical tips to elevate your impact.  1. Know Your Audience Understand who you are speaking to and what they expect. Research attendees in advance. […]

You will sometimes hear people say that networking does not work. That has not been my experience. Networking supported my career when I worked in a large organization, and it has been essential in building my business since then. That said, networking only works when it is done well. Certain habits can quickly undermine your […]

Introversion is often misunderstood in the workplace. It’s not about shyness or a lack of confidence — it’s about how we gain and expend energy. While extroverts tend to feel energized by being around people, introverts may also enjoy collaboration but require quiet time afterward to recharge. When it comes to meetings and presentations, introversion […]

Research shows that audiences remember only 25–50% of a speech a few days after hearing it—and after a few weeks, that number can drop to as little as 10%. While that statistic may sound discouraging, it’s actually an invitation: a challenge to design your message so it truly sticks. Whether you’re presenting in a meeting, […]

At a recent conference in Ireland, I was asked a simple but powerful question: “What’s the most important skill you’ve developed on your journey to becoming a better public speaker?” It would have been easy to point to stagecraft, body language, eye contact, or the art of landing a punchline. But my answer surprised both […]

If you’ve reached Level 4 or 5 on the Global Skills Matrix, chances are you’ll be asked to chair a meeting, even with senior stakeholders at the table. It might feel intimidating, but with the right approach, you can run effective, professional meetings that respect everyone’s time and deliver real outcomes. Here’s how to confidently lead […]