BLOG

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

Black has long been considered the most versatile, enduring and universally flattering color. It works in any season, on any person, and for almost any occasion. Just like the little black dress or a perfectly tailored black suit, the human element in the workplace never goes out of style. Trends change, technology evolves, but what connects us: empathy, presence and understanding, is always in, even in a tech-fueled, AI-charged world. Over the past couple of decades, organiz

Imagine walking into a room full of colleagues or clients. You’ve prepared your points, organized your thoughts, and rehearsed your delivery. You’re ready. But then something shifts. Instead of simply sharing information, you tell a story from your own experience: a challenge you overcame, a lesson learned, a moment of insight. Suddenly, heads lean in, eyes light up and what you say isn’t just heard…it resonates. That’s Elevate , the “E” in the SPEAC Framework™ . It’s the ste

We talk a lot about AI these days, and for good reason. It’s everywhere, and its adoption is growing fast. One place AI is rapidly...