Less Really IS More

Anna D. Shapiro is the Artistic Director at Steppenwolf Theatre here in Chicago. She’s directed big hits on Broadway as well, she’s a Tony-award winner, and she’s a professor at Northwestern University. She is a very big deal in theatrical circles. No, I’m not about to audition for a role in a play. I’m telling…

Practice Makes Perfect. IF You Do It.

What makes it so hard to rehearse for your business presentations? Every expert on speaking recommends rehearsal. Yes, that includes me. At the same time, just about every would-be speaker says, “Awww, I really don’t wanna rehearse.” Or something to that effect. Yes. That also includes me. I have a speaking engagement coming up, with…

The Signals You Send

When you’re leading a meeting, conducting a conference call, or having a sales conversation, your state is absolutely critical. No, not your geographical location. I’m talking about the way you’re being. That means the emotion you’re feeling and the thoughts you’re thinking. How you hold your body and how you move. Your energy level. All…

Your Body Is Your Key To Communication

You can’t do a presentation if you’re not present. In fact, when it comes to communicating, you can’t do much of anything if you’re not present. And yet, people try all the time to run a conference call, or a department heads’ meeting, or a big speech on a stage without being fully present in…

How Creative Are You?

Does the very question send you into a song-and-dance about how you don’t have a creative bone in your body and you never have? Maybe you’re one of the lucky ones who owns every bit of your creative spirit. You make your living doing graphic design or photography or playing piano. You may even refer…