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Speak As Well As You Think

Speak As Well As You Think

by Jenn Alex

Marketing Careers

Season 5

Your slides aren't the presentation - you are

In this episode we're discussing the speaker is the presentation, not their PowerPoint slides. While your slides should aid you and your talk, your audience's sole focus shouldn't be on the visuals, otherwise you've lost them. We'll discuss: Why dense slides can hurt your talk How to simplify dense slides (which can mean different things to different organizations) The real purpose around slides and how great communicators interact with them The slides are there to help guide your audience, give them something else to engage with, and be your speaker notes, but they shouldn't be the main show.

Hybrid & Remote Team Communication

Hybrid work. It's not going away. So the best thing we can do is learn how to make it most effective, whether you use it daily or just a couple of times a month. You need to consider a few things: How to prepare before the meeting even begins The best practices that can help you be clear, confident, and prepared Whether cameras need to be on or off Understand how to end effectively A lot of people start virtual meetings on a whim. This can work at times, but if you want your meetings to be purposeful, engaging, and you want people to come back in the future, there's a lot more that goes into making this happen. Don't skip the prep work simply because all you need to do is hit "start meeting".

Storytelling for Influence

This month, we're discussing Storytelling as an influential tool. People tend to remember a story long after they forget the data. A great message may inform, but a great story can help people feel the message. We discuss a few specific areas: Why stories influence better than information alone Where we see stories show up, and why they work Some common mistakes people make with their stories Storytelling can be an effective tool in so many areas; you just need to know how to tell the right story.

Why eye contact matters

This month, we're talking about eye contact. We've all heard we should look at people as we speak, but what exactly does that mean? How long do we look at them? How do we move when there are multiple people to look at? If it feels awkward to the speaker, does it come across awkward to the listener? All great questions. Here's what we unpack: Why eye contact matters What does your eye contact communicate How to vary it based on the setting/situation When and how to practice it

Overcoming Communication Anxiety

We're talking communication anxiety this month. Nervousness is an age-old topic that we really can't discuss enough. This month, we'll cover: Common causes of communication anxiety What it can look and feel like to the speaker and audience Ways to manage the feeling in the moment Some long-term approaches to alleviating nerves

Persuade without being pushy

In today's episode, we're discussing persuasion at work. It's an element of many people's jobs, so understanding its importance and how to create a safe and comfortable space for persuasion to live is important. Here are a few things we'll discuss: Persuading is not convincing; it's alignment Know what your audience wants or needs (one we always talk about) Create credibility by asking questions and listening just as much as you talk Knowing when to take a step back and maintain your image/trust If people leave agreeing but not acting, persuasion didn't happen.

Setting SMART Goals using clear communication

It's January, so of course, everyone is focused on goal-setting for the year to come. As you plan your goals out, consider a few things: Set SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) Be realistic - lofty goals are fine, but know how you're going to get there Communicate your goal(s) clearly to yourself and others Check in often and reflect on how the goal is going - make changes if necessary Going in with a plan helps breed success. Understanding that failure is sometimes part of a goal creates consistency in showing up. Being clear and reflective with yourself allows room for adjustments or getting back on track.

Season 4

How to be clear, concise & stay on message

Some people can captivate an audience when they speak. Others, the audience walks away while they're still speaking. Many factors can influence this, but one key determinant of audience engagement is the speaker's ability to stay on message. Being clear and concise is a skill. It's important to understand: Why it can be so difficult to accomplish Understanding what your audience wants or needs Knowing what point you're trying to make The ability to practice purposefully In this episode, you'll hear how you can approach the coming holidays with clear, concise, and on-message conversations.

The Empty Boat Mindset & Communication

This month, we're exploring the 'empty boat' mindset parable and how it relates to effective communication and relationship building. The parable basically states that if an empty boat runs into yours, you navigate around it. But if someone is in that boat, you tend to react negatively, even though the same situation occurred. We discuss the importance of: Separating intent from impact Responding not reacting Assuming positive (or neutral) intent Focusing on understanding vs. placing blame Creating safety so relationships can thrive Approaching interactions as if they are "empty boats" allows you to have more control over your reactions and emotions.

How to Coach Good Communicators

Sometimes the hardest people to coach aren’t those who struggle with communication; it's the ones who think they’ve already mastered it. Not because they lack skill, but because their blind spots are often more ingrained. In this episode, we'll take years of experience and explore: The Blind Spots of “Good Communicators” — from dominating conversations to resisting change. Coaching Without Clashing with Ego — using rapport, curiosity, and concrete evidence to open minds. Common Pitfalls — like over-talking, under-listening, or failing to adapt to different audiences. Shifting the Mindset — reframing communication as a lifelong practice, not something you 'complete'. Whether you lead, manage, or mentor, you’ll learn practical ways to help even your best communicators keep getting better.

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