Stage Fright or Stage Adventure? - Public Words
I just completed two days of teaching in Harvard’s continuing education program for mid-career executives. It’s one of my favorite ...| Public Words
What do you think of when you hear the phrase dress for success? Perhaps it's a no-brainer for you, or perhaps you dismiss it as vanity—wearing a well-cut suit or polished shoes so others will take you more seriously. But the truth is more complex -- and important. How we present ourselves doesn’t just change ... The post Should You Dress for Success? appeared first on Public Words.| Public Words
I just completed two days of teaching in Harvard’s continuing education program for mid-career executives. It’s one of my favorite ...| Public Words
How’s the hybrid workplace working out? According to a recent study, published in HBR, “Hybrid Still Isn't Working,” in the ...| Public Words
How’s the hybrid workplace working out? According to a recent study, published in HBR, “Hybrid Still Isn't Working,” in the July-August 2025 issue, not well. Meetings are less effective, despite being more frequent. The wrong people are getting promoted. The culture of hybrid companies is weaker than in-person ones. The commitment of workers in general ... The post Why the Hybrid Workplace Doesn’t Work Yet appeared first on Public Words.| Public Words
Great storytelling is rare and difficult – and it has always been so. But the challenges are becoming more rather ...| Public Words
In great speechmaking, there’s a received wisdom: “Start strong, end stronger.” People remember the first thing you say, and the last. If both pack a punch, the speech will be powerful. Today, I’m focusing on the ending (I’ve posted before about how to begin a speech). The ending of a speech is the moment when ... The post How to Close a Speech appeared first on Public Words.| Public Words
The idea of ‘faking it until you make it’ receives a bad rap in this authentic era. Better to be real than bogus, goes the current thinking. But by taking advantage of a bit of brain science, you can trick yourself into thinking that you are more of a superstar than you are yet really ... The post How to Fake Your Way to Good Cheer appeared first on Public Words.| Public Words
Let’s say you are a leader having to give a speech persuading people to change in some way. Maybe you ...| Public Words
If you’re an expert on African drumming or thought leader in the field of quantum computing, or any other topic ...| Public Words
Warming Up vs. Technique: Why Both Matter for a Healthy, Resonant Voice| Public Words
I welcome Jessica Cooper, our vocal coach, once again to the blog. Many people think that “warming up the voice” and “doing vocal exercises” are one and the same. However, they serve two distinct (and equally crucial) purposes, and understanding this difference is key to healthy speaking (and singing). Warming Up: Increasing Blood Flow, Releasing ... The post Warming Up vs. Technique: Why Both Matter for a Healthy, Resonant Voice appeared first on Public Words.| Public Words
A recent study found that playful people are more optimistic, manage life’s stresses better, and derive more joy from life in general, than the rest of us. For me, that immediately raised the question: how can speakers – and leaders – be more playful? We have a deadly epidemic of seriousness—and even gloom—permeating our Western ... The post Are You Playful? appeared first on Public Words.| Public Words
Warning: this blog post contains shocking revelations that may trigger summer camp attendees. Read at your own risk. In my ...| Public Words
We humans are simple in some big, basic neuroscientific ways. Two of them are that we are far more tribal than we are aware of, and that we spend far more of our brain keeping track of where we are in space than we know. Put those two ideas together, and you have an interesting strategy – or set of strategies – to improve your public speaking and leadership.| Public Words
