You deliver commencement speeches to honor people.
As a graduation speaker, you have the responsibility to focus the spotlight on those who deserve honor. Because you are the commencement speaker, you have the opportunity to celebrate the uncelebrated and the unrecognized.
There’s a habit that separates those who grow steadily from those who stay stuck. It’s not raw talent. It’s not waiting for opportunities. It’s not even practice—at least, not the way most people understand practice. The secret is this: rehearse before you speak. Not once.
Rehearse Before You Speak: Why Daily Rehearsal Builds Mastery That Lasts Read More »
Do not craft a speech — or hold an event — if you do not know how it can change the lives of those people who are attending.
You do not have to serve the need of everyone, but there is always a starving crowd which you can feed. Feed your crowd, not your ego.
Define the Needs of Your Audience and You Will Not Waste a Single Minute of Their Time Read More »
It doesn’t matter if you’re a CEO in a boardroom, a teacher in front of restless students, or a parent trying to guide your child: leadership always requires storytelling. Because when you lead, you are not just giving instructions. You are shaping vision. You are
It will be easier for you to lead when you know how to tell a story Read More »
A few years ago, I was invited to speak at a regional conference for educators. The organizers told me, “Just talk about motivation—our teachers need inspiration.” So I prepared a rousing talk on goal-setting, vision boards, and the science of motivation. My slides looked sharp.
Listen Before You Speak: Preparing the Way for Resonance Read More »
Some speakers sound polished but still leave people cold, because they start with what they want to say—not what the audience needs. In this article, Jef Menguin shows how “audience first” thinking makes your speech feel personal, clear, and hard to ignore. If you want to learn how to create your stage by making people feel seen and understood, this will help.
Panic might be your first reaction, but let me tell you a secret: an impromptu speech isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection. When you focus on what matters most—the audience—you can turn even a last-minute request into a moment that wows.
Give an Impromptu Speech That Wows (with Examples) Read More »
If you show up as a guest speaker and make it about you, the audience checks out and your credibility drops—quietly but fast. In this article, Jef Menguin shares 10 useful tips for guest speakers to serve the room, not perform for it, including how to hook early and focus on one useful takeaway. Apply the shift and share it at work so your next speaker slot earns attention and drives action.
A keynote speaker can be the game-changer, setting the right direction and tempo for an event. Like a skilled conductor, they orchestrate ideas, rhythm, and energy, turning an ordinary gathering into an extraordinary experience. This is the essence of my role.
Public speaking multiplies your impact. Learn how to prepare yourself—not just your speech—physically, mentally, and spiritually, then start practicing in meetings, 1-on-1s, and simple explanations.
Confidence isn’t something you’re born with. Forget that myth. Confidence is built. It’s earned. And the best part? It comes with your A-Game. Confidence Is Built Here’s the real deal: confidence comes from competence. And competence? It’s what happens when you show up and deliver,
Confidence Is Contagious: How Your A-Game Fuels It Read More »
Once you develop this skill, you’ll be unstoppable. Meetings, interviews, chance encounters—they all become opportunities to shine. You won’t just speak—you’ll lead, you’ll inspire, and you’ll connect with people in a way that feels natural, confident, and compelling.
The stage isn’t just a platform to speak; it’s where you show the world what you can do, how you think, and what solutions you offer.
I will teach you easy, enjoyable, and proven ways to speak to anyone, anytime and anywhere. Public speaking is easier than most people believe.
10 Public Speaking Tips from 20 Years of Speaking Read More »
Humor makes people more engaged. It entertains and educates them at the same time. When told in stories, humor resonates because the audience sees themselves in those tales.
Some speakers lose the room—not because they are boring, but because they don’t plan the flow of attention from start to finish. This article shares three simple ways to keep people listening, reacting, and staying with you all the way to your last line. If
How to Keep Your Audience Engaged from Start to Finish Read More »
I’m going to share something that might just change the way you handle every Q&A session from here on out. But first, let me take you back to a time when I was far from the polished speaker you see today. A Personal Story It
Whoever tells the best story wins at work—not by entertaining, but by moving decisions. Learn the shift from storytelling to story-driven influence using a simple, repeatable Story → Decision → Next Step tool.
Today, let’s cut through the noise and get straight to the heart of how you can transform your impromptu speaking with storytelling. And not just any storytelling—I’m talking about crafting stories that pack a punch and leave your audience hanging on every word. Let’s dive
Mindmapping is a simple technique for brainstorming ideas around a central theme, just like drawing a map. You start with a core concept—the “big idea” or the “main message”—and write it smack in the center of a piece of paper.