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Stage fright solved (the #1 fix from an executive public speaking coach)

Do you avoid public speaking because you sometimes experience stage fright? Is your fear of stage fright holding you back on the job? Do you want a simple fix to solve stage fright forever? If so, take advice from an executive public speaking coach who once suffered from stage fright – and then discovered the […]

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3 pro tips: Strategic communication for executives eager to shine on panels and fireside chats

Even the most polished executives on a panel or fireside chat can lose an audience if they slip into bad habits – like diving deep into complexities, giving long-winded answers and delivering responses that sound like lectures. Strategic communication for executives is essential if you want to shine on panels and fireside chats. In this […]

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10 ways to create emotional connections with your audience when you speak in public

Human decision making is emotional – not logical. If you want your strategic messaging to change the way your audience thinks or behaves, logic alone will never cut it – no matter how many proof points you have. The way ahead is to create emotional connections with your audience so that people care, remember what […]

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How to elevate yourself as a leader when you speak in public

Last week, 20 executive communication professionals from across the U.S. earned a certificate in strategic executive communication from the Executive Communication Council. I was one of these 20 fortunate professionals in the inaugural class of March 2025. We became Leadership Communication Academy-certified after absorbing and internalizing 16+ hours of disciplined, structured, rigorous instruction delivered by […]

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3 speeches you haven’t heard of that changed the world

Speeches created and delivered as part of a leader’s strategic executive communication often pave the way for change – just like these three historical speeches did. Chances are you’ve never heard of the speeches below, even though the speakers who delivered them are well-known. Take a look at what can happen in the world when […]

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5 strategies for opening your speech with impact

The decision is daunting: “Precisely HOW should I open my speech? “What should I say first? “How can I engage the audience – and make an impact – right upfront?” Study the opening lines of these award-winning speeches from the Cicero Speechwriting Awards competition to learn five strategies often used by speechwriters delivering custom speechwriting […]

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35 years young: A look back at Zumwald & Company

Thirty-five years ago today – Oct. 30, 1989 – I received my first signed contract to deliver professional communications services, officially establishing Zumwald & Company in Ohio. As I tell people today, it was an experiment that has never ended. Looking back, there have been many milestones and lessons learned that seem appropriate to reflect […]

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Can a speech make a difference?

Many public speakers starting to draft a keynote speech often begin with a simple wish: That the speech they deliver will be “memorable.” Memorable is fine, I suppose, if the speech itself is good. (But if the speech is bad, that’s memorable too – but for all the wrong reasons.) And so I ask: Is […]

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Speak like a leader: Takeaways from the Toastmasters International Convention

Didn’t make it to the Bahamas for the 2023 Convention of Toastmasters International? No matter! Check out these five takeaways that I captured as a virtual attendee last week. Then choose a few nuggets you want to use right away to get better at what it takes to speak like a leader. If you missed […]

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Answer these 3 questions to get better as a speaker

People who want to get better as a speaker often face common challenges as they strive to go from good to great. Do you identify with these three challenges shared by my colleague and friend Barbara? Are you ready to do something about them? A few days ago, a longtime colleague and friend I’d coached […]

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