To prepare myself for speaking engagements—especially when I’m doing a new presentation for the first time—I activate a few practices that have helped me over the years.

The right scents. In the shower, I put on a lavender scented body lotion, which seems to calm my nerves. I also dab my wrists with a lavender essential oil afterwards, and peppermint oil, which together help take the edge off. There’s also a combination of oils that comes in a bottle with a roll-top, called Past Tense, which I buy from doTERRA. According to research, certain fragrances and oils, strategically applied to our bodies or inhaled, influence our nervous system in positive ways.

Food. I find food a source of strength and calmness. It’s not a good idea to avoid eating before a presentation-even if you don’t feel hungry-because your tummy could grumble aloud and embarrass you at the microphone. To have the right energy for my early workshops and speeches, I need a healthy, substantial breakfast with some kind of protein. I’ve learned not to rely on whatever might be served because just fruit and little rolls aren’t enough for me. Avoid too much caffeine as it can add to your stress level.

Prosperity panties. Many years ago, my good friend, Rosa Peralta, introduced me to the Ecuadorian tradition of giving and wearing yellow underwear on New Year’s Eve. It symbolizes the color gold and is supposed to usher in a prosperous 12 months. Now I have a collection of yellow and silver underwear I call my “prosperity panties.”  I put them on for important speaking engagements, giving me confidence literally from the inside out!

What traditions can you adopt before your big performance?
A delicious massage, a long run or walk, listening to your favorite music, and watching a funny movie are other proven rituals to help you relax. Whatever you choose, I wish you rave reviews for your next presentation!
 
If you have not already liked our Speakout, Inc. Facebook page, I invite you to click on the link now.
 
Warm Regards,
 

Anne B. Freedman
(305) 273-6641
(305) 733-4054 – Cell
anne@speakoutinc.com
www.speakoutinc.com
 
 www.facebook.com/speakoutinc
 @AnneMiami or twitter.com/AnneMiami
  in  www.linkedin.com/in/annebfreedman/

When you walk into an office, are you greeted in a friendly manner or made to feel as though you’re interrupting something more important? How do people answer the phone when you call? Do you get a returned call in a reasonable time?

While a certain amount of stress in an organization is absolutely normal, when levels get too high you start to see under-performing teams, missed deadlines, less smiling, and more conflicts. In a nonprofit, you find less eagerness to participate, a loss of motivation, and more personality issues.
 
Before the most recent economic crash, I regularly conducted retreats and training to develop teamwork and camaraderie, leadership and management communication skills at all levels for many smart enterprises, including financial organizations and a variety of other industries. Now, I’m beginning to see wise leaders move in those directions again, as experienced Boomers leave their positions and under-trained or never-trained colleagues are expected to take their places. But stress remains high in many places.
 
If you’d like to learn how your organization’s “stress department” is doing, I invite you to download and review a sample Workplace Stress Assessment, which I can provide for free until May 30.  http://speakoutinc.com/leadership-communication-corporate/

Once you’ve looked at the results you can get, please emailanne@speakoutinc.com or call 305-273-6641 to request your free individual Workplace Stress Assessment. I’ll send you a link to do yours, then review the results with you in a complimentary half-hour strategy se ssion. This offer is limited to organizations with five or more employees or board members.
 
For more than 15 years I’ve been using other reports developed by the company pioneering this beta Workplace Stress test. Their communication and motivation reports are the tools we rely on to help organizations and leaders better target their messages and interactions, internally and in the marketplace.
 
Remember, this free Workplace Stress Assessment is only available until May 30th.
 
Looking forward to hearing from you. Please pass this offer along to a contact or friend you think might also benefit.
 
And if you have not already liked our Speakout, Inc. Facebook page, I invite you to click on the link.
Best Regards,
Anne B. Freedman

(305) 273-6641
(305) 733-4054 – Cell
anne@speakoutinc.com
www.speakoutinc.com
 
 www.facebook.com/speakoutinc
 @AnneMiami or twitter.com/AnneMiami
  in  www.linkedin.com/in/annebfreedman/

  I’ve seen all kinds of extremes in working with business and community leaders over the past two plus decades. You’ve probably experienced some of these types – and may even be one yourself!

In the first group are the outstanding speakers but terrible leaders. They are absolutely riveting and motivating on stage. In person, however, it’s a completely different story. They have no charm, no finesse, and are not able to engage successfully in or see the value of “small talk.”
 
In contrast, many other clients have been wonderful one-on-one. They are terrific and congenial conversationalists. When they have to speak to a group however, they appear to transform into souls who are boring, rambling, and lacking confidence.
 
Why can’t we all do it all?  Why can’t every one of us be a compelling speaker, an outstanding leader and socially at-ease no matter where we are? Is it nature or nurture?  Are some folks really born with the gift of gab and others are not blessed with that particular gene? Are some people naturals at interacting with others?
 
I believe it’s not a question of introvert versus extravert. Or people-focused versus task-focused. I’ve found the difference between being able to deliver a good speech or presentation, and being able to carry on a worthwhile conversation lies in how well you use words. And what also matters is how carefully you listen with your ears, observe with your eyes and respond to what’s happening.

As a speaker, you are creating a one-sided conversation that needs to feel as though it’s two-sided. A good presentation has a structure and a purpose that are interwoven, not obvious, and make us want to listen.
 
As a social person, your goal is to create a conversation that is mutually satisfying for you and the person with whom you’re talking. That’s true even when you’re really trying to direct the conversation in a particular way, such as in sales or in leadership.
 
Both sets of skills can be developed and honed, if you’re willing to put in the energy, time and practice.
 
A little drum roll please! After two years of writing, I just turned in the final manuscript of my forthcoming book, Public Speaking for the Genius, due out in the fall of 2015. Watch for this practical guide and others we’ll be publishing soon to help you succeed on whatever speaking path you’re pursuing.

Best Regards,

Anne B. Freedman
(305) 273-6641
(305) 733-4054 – Cell
anne@speakoutinc.com
www.speakoutinc.com
 
 www.facebook.com/speakoutinc
 @AnneMiami or twitter.com/AnneMiami
  in  www.linkedin.com/in/annebfreedman/

When 17-year-old Wachira Laonipon – better known as Mint – delivered her farewell speech as a Rotary Exchange Student recently, the room was filled with tears,laughter and admiration for this remarkably brave young visitor from Thailand.
 
“Imagine if you had to leave your country for a whole year. And you had so many incredible experiences you could talk about them for days and days. If you have done that you would know how hard it is … to say goodbye,” she began.
 
In her first few months in Miami, not only did Mint struggle to learn English, she “found it hard to make friends with Hispanics because they were a big group and only spoke in Spanish. It was difficult to fit in, but I overcame that, so what else I can say.  No problema, amigos. (No problem, friends.)”
 
I met Mint soon after she arrived and in the past nine months helped her put together three speeches, marveling during all of our times together how committed she was to practicing, to being the most outstanding speaker she could be, and to finding the best photographs for her slides. Her first speech was an introduction to her homeland’s culture, history, the all-girl school she attended there, and her family, for the South Miami Rotary Club, her host club.
 
In January, with compassion, directness, and sobering images, Mint described some of her country’s most pressing social issues to Professor Robert Hacker’s social entrepreneurship class at Florida International University.
 
And in her final speech, Mint revealed that “Rotary changed me from the girl I was into a young adult. I feel more confident, braver, knowing English better and I feel as though I know myself better,” she said.

“Rotary has given me the biggest opportunity in my life so far. To come and live in the United States of America, the country that has a tall woman holding the torch of liberty. A country that doesn’t allow elephants to walk on the street. A country where people watch many kinds of sports  except soccer. And a country that is a democracy model for the whole world. A country which still based on freedom of speech. A country that is dreamed about by people all over the world. And I was one of them.”
 
With her words and spirit, Mint touched everyone lucky enough to spend time with her.
 
If you have not already liked our Speakout, Inc. Facebook page, I invite you to click on the link now.

Best Regards,

Anne B. Freedman
(305) 273-6641
(305) 733-4054 – Cell
anne@speakoutinc.com
www.speakoutinc.com
 
 www.facebook.com/speakoutinc
 @AnneMiami or twitter.com/AnneMiami
  in  www.linkedin.com/in/annebfreedman/

If you travel to Europe, in many countries, the tip for the server is built into your bill for dinner and into the cost of an excursion, for your tour guide. You’re usually not expected to pay anything extra.

When visitors come to the US for the first time from overseas, if they have not checked out the customs in advance, they think the same “tipping included” rules apply. And they can unintentionally leave a bad impression among hard-working waiters and other service people who regard them as “cheap” or selfish.
 
When you’re invited to be the speaker or present to a group, it helps to remember that there are accepted norms in some situations and totally different ones in others. What are some of these differences?
 
When you’re speaking to a Rotary Club, a civic group, and most business organizations, you’re expected to share information about trends in your industry, or tips that could help the members in some way, or your vision for the future based on your expertise. No one wants or welcomes any kind of “pitch” or self-promotion. Be sure and ask for specifics about the number of minutes you’re allotted and what their policy is towards a question-and-answer session after your message. You can hand out flyers about a special offer, but a public mention is often frowned upon.
 
Exceptions can happen when a speaker flies into town, at his or her own expense, if they deliver a worthwhile message with no blatant commercial content. After the speech, they may be given a few minutes to talk about a special promotion.

If you represent a nonprofit and a cause, for example, fighting human trafficking or promoting water conservation, most groups tend to be open to your efforts to enlist volunteers, secure contributions, or otherwise help spread the word. It is still important to know and be respectful of the group’s agenda and your time limit.
 
When you are the presenter – seeking investors or trying to make a sale of some kind –  some of the rules are quite different. We expect you to try your best to persuade us!  We’ve put ourselves temporarily under your thumb. But being sensitive to the timing of your presentation still applies. Make sure you know what the norms are before you start!
 
If you have not already liked our Speakout, Inc. Facebook page, I invite you to click on the link now.

Best Regards,

Anne B. Freedman
(305) 273-6641
(305) 733-4054 – Cell
anne@speakoutinc.com
www.speakoutinc.com
 
 www.facebook.com/speakoutinc
 @AnneMiami or twitter.com/AnneMiami
  in  www.linkedin.com/in/annebfreedman/