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 »
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.
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.
Have you ever noticed how a few powerful words can lift your spirits and change your perspective? Inspirational quotes can do wonders for motivation and team morale. Today, we’re going to explore how you, as a manager, can use inspirational quotes to motivate your team.
How to Use Inspirational Quotes to Motivate a Team 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 »
Confidence unlocks countless doors in your personal and professional life. When you are confident, you are more likely to take risks, pursue your goals, and embrace new experiences. Confidence helps you bounce back from setbacks, handle criticism with grace, and keep moving forward, no matter what
How to Be Confident: 5 Proven Ways to Boost Your Confidence 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
Believe it or not, the ability to handle tough questions can dramatically boost your impromptu speaking skills. Let’s break this down into four main points and see how you can turn tough questions into your stepping stones for becoming a top-notch speaker.
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.
The magic of extemporaneous speaking. It’s not just about fluency and eloquence; it’s about making your audience trust you because they see you speaking from the heart.
Public speaking remains vital, even more so in today’s world where digital communication dominates. As a professional speaker and speaker coach, I’ve seen firsthand how the art of speaking clearly and effectively connects and influences people, regardless of the medium. The pandemic changed how we
Transform your public speaking skills with 50 proven techniques designed to help you fear less and wow your audience. Ideal for beginners and experienced speakers.
Nonverbal communication in public speaking is like the silent music that plays beneath the words. It’s not what you say, but how you say it – and more importantly, how you show it.
Effective Nonverbal Communication in Public Speaking Read More »