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Connection is the outcome of SPEAC’ing Success. When you’ve done the work - when you’ve Strategized, Prepared, Elevated, and  Articulated with intention and authenticity… true connection becomes inevitable. This final step is where everything clicks. With my role at SPEAC being Connection Coordinator, it would be pretty awkward if this wasn’t my favorite part of the framework… right :) ?  But, all jokes aside, this is where everything you’ve prepared finally meets the people

It’s been a few weeks since we’ve shared public speaking tips, and if you’ve been wondering where they went, don’t worry…they’re not going anywhere. Over the past several blogs, we’ve been focusing on interpersonal communication skills. Because how we communicate one-on-one and how we show up on a stage or in a meeting room are more connected than most people realize. This week, we’re bringing public speaking back into the conversation. We’re also going back to fundamentals,

Lately, I’ve been sitting with a heaviness that I can’t quite shake. If you’ve been paying attention to what’s happening in our country, you may feel it too. There is a lot of fear and anger right now. A lot of “us versus them.” Entire groups of people are being reduced to labels, soundbites and stereotypes. And when that happens, something deeply human gets lost. None of this happens in a vacuum. In recent blogs, we’ve talked about perception, perspective and listening. How

Last week, I taught a workshop for an association. The audience included a wide range of experience levels, from new college graduates just getting started in their careers to seasoned professionals with decades of experience under their belts. The client wanted the content to resonate with everyone in the room, regardless of career level, and they wanted every participant to walk away with something they could actually use. At the end of every workshop, I like to ask two que

Have you ever felt like you should communicate a certain way, even when it didn’t feel natural? Maybe you’ve watched other speakers and found yourself trying to copy them… only to feel drained or even, dare I say it… inauthentic  afterward. You’re not alone - and it’s exactly why authentic communication  is one of the most powerful skills you can cultivate as a speaker. A thoughtful piece in Toastmasters International Magazine  explored this experience by highlighting real st

If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation thinking, “How did that go so sideways?,” chances are perception and perspective were at play. They’re closely related, often confused, and at the root of many everyday communication breakdowns. The good news is that once you understand the difference, small shifts can lead to big changes in how you connect with others. Let’s start with a simple breakdown of the difference between perception and perspective.  Perception is what y

Communication is often described as a skill, but connection is an experience. It is the point where all the work you put into crafting your message finally meets the people who need to hear it. In the SPEAC Framewor k™ , Connect is the outcome of showing up with clarity, confidence and authenticity. It is the final phase, and in many ways, it is the most powerful one. When you reach this point, you have already done the deep work. You've shaped your strategy, prepared with in

There’s a moment in every meaningful interaction. Whether you’re presenting to a group, leading a meeting, or navigating a tough conversation... when your message has to do more than exist on a slide or in your notes. It has to land . That’s where Articulate, the next step in the SPEAC Framework™, becomes essential. This is the point where preparation transforms into presence. Articulate is about how you bring your message to life. It’s not just the words you choose, but the

If you’ve been reading my blog posts for a while, you’ve probably read plenty of my thoughts about using AI to develop your content.  I’m a big fan of AI. I use it every single day, and it helps me with a lot of things, including my written communications. However, you’ve also heard me say this before: Don’t let AI write it for you.  Write your content first, and let AI act as an editor.  I’ve shared prompts you can use to help keep your authentic voice intact when working wi

When I first start working with a client, I sit and talk with them to understand their goals and what they want to focus on during our coaching journey.  I don’t initially ask for a formal presentation, because my goal in that first interaction is to get a baseline for how they communicate naturally. Once I have a sense of their authentic communication style, I ask them to stand up and “present” to me by introducing themselves again or sharing a story. And that’s when it happ