Speaking Archives - Catherine Johns

Sitting and Speaking

Sitting and speaking. You know those high-top tables you see in hip restaurants and bars? The chairs that go with them are a problem for a person who wants to stay grounded. Especially when we need to speak while perched on one of them. The high chairs seem to be typical for panel programs. And in a way they make sense—that extra bit of elevation makes it easier for everyone in the room to see the people speaking. The downside, as I discovered while participating in one panel recently and facilitating another one, is having our feet floating off the floor. I found myself violating my own advice to those who need to speak while seated.

Catherine Johns | Apr 19, 2023

Catherine Johns seated (far right) on NSA panel discussion - April 2023

Business Communication, Speaking

Fear of speaking: Exhibit A

You and I were focused on the fear of speaking just recently. Why so many of us dread delivering a talk or a toast, and what we can do to feel more comfortable standing up in front of a group and sharing our thoughts. This week’s New York Times profile of their city’s new fire commissioner gave me a wry chuckle. The knives are out for this woman in a big way. Laura Kavanagh is wrestling with an entrenched (and overwhelmingly male) hierarchy. Grappling with resistance to her decisions, to her resume, and, it seems, to her, herself. The guys need to adjust to how she “looks and seems” is the way Kavanagh puts it.

Catherine Johns | Apr 12, 2023

Business Communication, Communication, Speaking

“This is America. Speak English”??

What goes through your mind when you hear someone talk and you notice they’re not a native speaker of English? Curiosity? Suspicion? Apprehension? Do your barriers go up? Or do you lean in to learn more? Amherst professor Ilan Stavans argues that in the same way immigrants expand our cuisine and our art, they also expand our language. American English is loaded with words that came to us from other places. In his upcoming book, The People’s Tongue: Americans and the English Language, Stavans describes our vocabulary as incredibly elastic, with new words being added all the time. And he encourages newcomers not to give up their accents. I’ve been listening to lots of accents lately.

Catherine Johns | Apr 5, 2023

Business Communication, Speaking

You’re Not Afraid of it, Are You?

The fear of public speaking: You’re not afraid of it, are you? You’d think everyone would want to be better at speaking, right? It’s such a fundamental skill, no matter what business you’re in. It’s also a valuable one. In fact, gazillionaire investor Warren Buffett points to speaking as the most valuable skill any professional can develop. Communicating better, he says, can elevate your value by 50%. My neurologist is right there with him in philosophy, if not in net worth. He’s predicting that as medical technology continues to develop, the ability to communicate with their patients and with each other will be what makes some physicians stand out. And earn more. Comments like these are music to my ears—I’m the one with the LinkedIn profile that says, “Everything rests on your ability to communicate.” But not everyone is enthusiastic about standing up and speaking in front of their colleagues or clients or anyone else.

Catherine Johns | Feb 22, 2023

Business Communication, Speaking

3 Questions You Must Answer

3 questions you must answer. It’s an intriguing way to think about organizing our thoughts for a talk, a blog, or even a LinkedIn post.
I often hear from clients who find my suggestion of a three-part agenda for their presentations challenging. They have so much to say! It’s all important! And they can’t possibly narrow it down to three things. A three-part agenda doesn’t mean you only get to say three things though. It does mean all the things you say are organized into three broad categories.Why? Well, you already know about the power of three, right? People are more likely to listen, understand, and stay with us if we tap into that triplet rhythm. And listening, understanding, and staying have to happen before we can expect them to act on what we tell them. The challenge for speakers is to choose and organize their content.

Catherine Johns | Jan 25, 2023