Diane DiResta
The Thrilling Impact of Authenticity in Public ...

Authenticity happens when your words, voice, and behavior match who you are. Find out how to show up and be you!

Podcamp NYC -The Unconference

I just attended my first podcamp in New York City. What is Podcamp?
Podcamp NYC is an "unconference" focused on how to use, implement and share any/all new media tools including, podcasts, videocasts, blogs, Second Life, Facebook, and YouTube, among others. The conference is FREE to attend and you're a "participant" versus an "attendee" at the event. I loved the emphasis on dialogue over lecture. The audience ranged from educators, to marketers to geeks with ages spanning college level to the gray haired crowd. The event took place on April 25-26 at Brooklyn Polytechnic. More information at: www.podcampnyc.org.

New media is democratizing the world by breaking down geographic, socioeconomic, and age barriers. It allows anyone anywhere in the world to get access to information and resources. You no longer have to wait for your 15 minutes of fame. You can create it!
If you're serious about business presentations you must stay on the cutting edge. I continue to tell my audiences that today's presenters must be media savvy and have broadcasting skills. Now you can get your message out through podcasting, youtube,and videocasts but you need to know how to use the media and deliver your message. Although it's easier than ever to blast your message to the world you are only as good as your presentation. It behooves everyone to get media trained so you can shine in the spotlight.

DiResta Communications, Inc.Communicating With Impact!

Work the Room

Do you stand frozen behind a podium or do you look like a duck in a shooting gallery, pacing back and forth? There's no reason you have to stay in one place. Get out and move!

But first, you need to know how to work the room. Stop distracting your audience - move with purpose.

Watch this video and learn to take control of the room:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3hae6jG1hs]

DiResta Communications, Inc.Communicating With Impact!
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Unhitch the Technical Glitch

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teleseminarMurphy's Law was in full effect. My associate and I conducted a live teleseminar together. We rehearsed the night before using the conference service. She did a live recording of a different class the day before and it went off without a hitch. So we knew the service was reliable.

The day of our teleseminar we hit a glitch. As soon as we started the recording feature several people were kicked off the call. A flurry of emails warned us that they couldn't get back on. While my colleague furiously contacted tech support I carried on with my part of the seminar.

What should you do when you've prepared your presentation and you still get derailed?

Take a lesson from champion ice skaters. When they fall on the ice they get up and keep going. Immediately after the call, we recorded the same content without any listeners on the line. We then sent the link to everybody who registered. We offered them the recorded call, an offer to call us with any questions, and a refund if they were not satisfied. Only one person asked for a refund. (We sent her the link anyway).

What's the lesson here?

  1. Always anticipate what could go wrong and have a back-up plan.
  2. Choose reliable technology. (Higher priced plans provide better service).
  3. Rehearse using the technology and know that it can work well one day and not the next.
  4. Keep going. Continue your presentation with the people who can hear you.
  5. Do the right thing. Your reputation and integrity are more important than any profits. Your reputation is your profit center. If requested, we would have refunded every participant. Your content is only part of the message. Customer service is the REAL message.

Fight, Flight, or Above the Fray

What do you do when your audience or co-workers come after you? How do you maintain your equilibrium and credibility without seeming weak?

Most of the Democratic Presidential debates have been mild. You could say that initially the candidates were politely boring. One reason for this was that Barack Obama had set a new standard by rejecting mudslinging tactics. His demeanor elevated the level of political debate to a higher consciousness that had not been experienced. He stayed above the fray.

When Bill Clinton began to make exaggerated claims about Obama, his response was to defend himself without attacking. He spoke directly to the audience and challenged Bill's disparaging remarks. He referred to Clinton as factually incorrect. He never used the emotionally charged words of liar, lies, or lying. In this instance, he stayed above the fray. When someone attacks or misrepresents you, it’s imperative to protect your reputation. State the facts and quickly correct the misperceptions.

More recently, when Hillary attacked Barack's record and he retaliated, it started to get a bit ugly. By attacking her, he gave her the ammunition and an opening to defend herself by denigrating his reputation. The lesson here is: don’t play someone else’s game.

Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Back in the 1970s, tennis champ Bobby Riggs challenged the female champion Margaret Court. He was out to prove that a woman couldn’t beat a man at tennis. He psyched her out. Margaret lost.

The next challenger was Billie Jean King. She was ready for him and insisted on playing her way. He played a tough game but Billie Jean won. She didn’t play his game. She played her own game.

In sports, politics, and the world of work, there will always be sparring matches. Correct inaccuracies, stick to your message points, but avoid attacking hecklers. Don’t get sucked into their strategy.

Choose to defend yourself or choose to leave - but stay above the fray.

Whether you win or lose depends on how you play the game.

DiResta Communications, Inc.

Communicating With Impact!

Speak to Lead

As you watch the U.S. political debates you can see who is a good speaker and who is a great speaker. Hillary Clinton is a good speaker. She has confidence and commands the platform. She demonstrates good delivery skills.
But there is one thing missing.

Mitt Romney looks like a president. If you turn down the volume and observe his good looks, well-fitting suit, and confident gestures, you would identify him as a leader.
But there is one thing missing.

Fred Thompson is not a good speaker. He takes too long to get to the point. Even though he may have sound ideas, if your eyes glaze over, the message gets lost.

Rudy Guiliani is a clear speaker with a focused message. And Mike Huckabee is master of the soundbite. He's a clear communicator who speaks in quotable quotes. It's easy to remember his message points.

Barak Obama is a great speaker. He has one thing that Fred, Hillary and Mitt lack. It's the one thing that mitigates his lack of experience.
He CONNECTS with his audience.

Yes, great speakers connect with their audience by talking with them, not at them. By talking from the heart and not just the head. By sharing stories not just statistics. By saying "we," not "I." By inspiring hope, not policies. By promoting humanity and not perfection.

Great speakers and leaders believe in a vision bigger than themselves and expect greatness from their followers. Optimism is contagious.

So whether you're a politician, a pastor, an executive or a leader of any kind, remember that your words inspire. Speak from the other person's experience and perspective and then raise the bar. Take them on a journey from what is to what can be. Speak to Lead.

DiResta Communications, Inc.Communicating With Impact!

The Art of the Comeback

As I watch the U.S. presidential debates, the pressure is starting to mount. The candidates are beginning to find fault with their competitors. Recently, the Clinton camp accused Barak Obama of stating his intention to be president in a written essay in kindergarten. The implication was that he was calculating and the presidency was a life long plan.

Here was Obama's response. "I must have been very smart if I could have written an essay in kindergarten." Touche.

Jane Trahey, a former advertising executive told a story about her corporate experience. During a meeting where she presented her great idea one of her male colleagues threatened to steal it. He said, "I like that idea, Jane. I think I'll take it to the president's office.

Here was Jane's respones. "Well, it's not such a heavy idea that I can't carry it there myself." Touche.

If you're not glib, and blessed with a silver tongue and mercurial wit don't worry. You can engage in planned spontaneity. Simply anticipate what your competition could say to challenge you and then plan your response. Then the next time you get thrown a curve ball instead of looking like a deer in the headlights, you'll be a master of the comeback.

DiResta Communications, Inc.Communicating With Impact!

What Doo-Wop Can Teach Us About Public Speaking

If you've ever been on the New York City subway, you've experienced the cacophonous symphony of screeching wheels, often exceeding 100 decibels.

Competing with this noise is the continuous sideshow of proselytizers, panhandlers, and doo-wop groups. The proselytizers share their vociferous platitudes about religion or political injustice and tell us we're all going to hell. The panhandlers cry about their conditions while they pass around the cup.

Then there are the doo-wop groups. They move from car to car singing a cappella with happiness and harmony. Passengers start smiling and swaying to the music. Suddenly people start reaching into their pockets like underground patrons of the arts.

Why? Because the singers make us feel good! They trigger happy memories as they share their songs and passion. They touch our hearts.

So, take a lesson from the doo-wop groups – your audience wants more than information. They want to be entertained. Edutainment is an experience, and you don't have to be an entertainer to be entertaining.

Tell more stories. Tell YOUR story. Show a video clip. Use humor. Engage them and make them smile. Give them an experience and leave them wanting for more.

Doo-wop, doo-wop, doo-wop, doo-wah .........

DiResta Communications, Inc.Communicating With Impact!

Recovering from Public Speaking Bloopers - The Hand is Quicker Than the Eye

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It's okay to make mistakes when you speak. It's almost inevitable that something will go wrong. When Murphy's Law is in full effect, you have two choices: You can either die of embarrassment and continue to fumble ... OR you can use a recovery strategy.

Create a disaster recovery plan. Here's how:

1. Identify what could go wrong. 2. Create a response or a one-liner.

Sometimes it helps to have quick reflexes. To see how I recovered from my recent blooper, watch this video clip:

For more tips on public speaking, sign up for my newsletter.

DiResta Communications, Inc. Communicating With Impact!

Dealing with Difficult Audiences

Whether you’re managing a team, running a meeting, or giving a formal presentation, it’s not enough to know your material. You must be able to manage the process. Group dynamics are ever changing and dealing with groups can be sticky. That’s why a good leader or facilitator is able to change perspective and use a number of strategies.

Practice the 3D Strategy: depersonalize, detach, and defuse.
The first step is to depersonalize. People come with their own emotional baggage. One woman walked out of a motivational speech because the speaker was wearing an Elvis costume. The audience member did not like Elvis. It had nothing to do with entertainer’s talent or competence. So don’t take it personally.

Step two is to detach. That means that you don’t engage the ego. Once you go head-to-head with that heckler you set up a competitive dynamic. Don’t let your emotions get out of control. Ask questions to gain understanding. Do not get defensive.

Step three is to defuse. Dissipate the negative energy. One of the best defusers is humor. If you get tense, the negative energy will increase. Take a light, playful approach. You can’t laugh and be angry at the same time.

DiResta Communications, Inc.Communicating With Impact!

Business Presentations-It's About People, Not Technology

After years as a professional speaker and speech coach I thought I had seen it all. I've seen people freeze at the podium, I've heard the worst technology and financial monotones, I've seen the speaker with his fly open and I've even seen the woman lose her half slip while she was speaking.
But I NEVER thought I'd see someone answer a cell phone during a speech.
WHAT WAS RUDY GUILIANI THINKING?
Recently, Mr. Guiliani spoke to the National Rifle Association. The audience was not a fan of his views on gun control. He had an opportunity to express his views and try to win support for his campaign. Instead, his wife called him on his cell phone and he answered it in the middle of his speech. He had a brief conversation with her before hanging up. At first the audience thought it was a joke. He may have thought talking to his wife humanized him but it had the opposite effect. He looked weak and it was rude and disrespectful to the audience. He did not present himself as an executive.
What should he have done? He should have turned his phone off. He should have informed his wife not to call during the hour he would be speaking. In this case, he should have ignored it or apologized as he shut it off. Under no circumstances should he have spoken to the caller.

How often do we attend meetings or sales calls that are interrupted by cell phones? By taking the call, the speaker may think he appears important but the opposite is true. A leader is present. A good speaker connects and attends to the audience. When a leader is truly important, the callers can wait.

DiResta Communications, Inc.Communicating With Impact!

Communication Takes a Giant Step Backward

Technology is great. It allows us to be more productive, to be globally connected and to access information faster. So upgrading your technology will help you communicate better, right? Not necessarily.
I was surprised when one of my long time online newsletter (Impact Player) subscribers asked to be removed from the list. She was an early subscriber from the inception of the paper version, to the text version to the html version. For years I received compliments on both the design and content of the newsletter so I couldn't figure out why this reader was leaving.

I decided to call her. The answer she gave me was not what I expected. She said that since she accessed most of her email on her blackberry she couldn't receive html files. What an eye opener!

In an attempt to upgrade, look cool and be state of the art, I forgot the most important principle of communication. It's not about technology-it's about people.
Nothing will ever replace the personal touch. I went back and offered subscribers a text or html version. Clients remember me for my handwritten thank you notes and post cards. The most powerful communication is old fashioned face-to-face, person-to-person connection.

As we move forward with connectivity we need to remember to take a step back and truly connect.

DiResta Communications, Inc.Communicating With Impact!

To Be Memorable And Remembered, Be the First

When speakers ask me how they can be memorable, I often give them several tips and oratorical devices to enhance their business presentations. Having a memorable speech is temporary. They may remember a point, an analogy, a principle but they may not remember you.

To be truly remembered, be the first. You'll know you've made your mark when others start to model or copy YOU. I wrote my first book, Knockout Presentations:How to Deliver Your Message with Power, Punch, and Pizzazz several years ago. It has continued to be a popular seller on amazon.com.

I was the FIRST to claim that title. Today, I'm happy to say that Harvard University Press is copying me. Here is their new digital book:

The Knockout Presentation: A Timeless Tool of Persuasion [DOWNLOAD: PDF] (Digital)
by Harvard Business School Press (Author)

DiResta Communications, Inc.Communicating With Impact!

Watch Your Way to Speaking Success

I often tell audiences that I improve my skills by observing other speakers.
If you want to get to the next level of speaking, watch good speakers. That’s right. I’m talking about the power of modeling behavior. When you observe someone else, the brain fires “mirror neurons". Mirror neurons in the brain reflect the behavior of humans. The neurons build a model of the observed behavior.This allows the unconscious mind to try the behavior.

In a lab experiment, monkeys watched a researcher pick up a piece of fruit. When the monkey observed the behavior of picking up the fruit, the brain was activated as if the monkey had actually picked up the fruit. The next step was to show a bowl of fruit to a monkey which was then hidden behind a screen. The researcher reached behind the screen. The monkey couldn’t see what the researcher was doing. Yet, the monkey’s brain was activated as if the monkey had picked up a piece of fruit. At this point, the monkey was visualizing in his mind.

This is the power of visualization. If you’re nervous and want to become a confident speaker, continue to watch confident speakers. If you want to become more humorous watch comedians. Over time, an image of the behavior will form in your mind and you'll begin to model good speaking techniques.

DiResta Communications, Inc.Communicating With Impact!

TOP TEN MYTHS ABOUT PUBLIC SPEAKING

Whenever you're presenting, you're going to make mistakes. Sometimes the mistakes you make on the public speaking platform result from commonly held myths. At other times, mistakes might stem from ignorance or inexperience. Whatever the case, here are some of the most common mistakes speakers make.

I'm not a public speaker
Reality: We all speak in public. Public speaking goes far beyond standing on a stage in front of 100 people. We're presenting ourselves all the time. In fact, life is one big presentation.

Don't talk with your hands
Reality: Expressive, dynamic speakers use their hands. Speakers who don't use any hand movement appear stiff. So let your hands speak for themselves!


Look over the heads of the audience
Reality: Look directly at key individuals. We connect with each other through our eyes. Effective speakers look at a few people, one at a time. This creates a relationship, and it's less scary giving your message to each person than to a large crowd.


Memorize your speech
Reality: It's more effective to memorize concepts, not words. If you forget a word, you can make your point another way or go on to a new point. Your audience will not know the difference. When possible, avoid using manuscripts. Notes and outlines will better help you to stay on track.

Stand in one place
Reality: Purposeful movement can be dynamic. Watch some of the top motivational speakers, like Zig Ziglar, Tony Robbins, and Les Brown. They work the crowd. They move across the platform. By doing this, you'll increase the energy in the audience.

Always use a lectern
Reality: There's only one reason to use a lectern: to hold your notes. Use a lectern only when you have to speak from a manuscript. Otherwise, you risk giving a presentation that will be perceived as formal and stiff.

Cover all your points in your speech
Reality: Consider the time frame and modify your talk. Give three major points instead of six. Condense your examples. Tell shorter stories. People will be more likely to remember your speech if you take this approach instead of trying to squeeze too much into too short a window of time.

Start with a joke
Reality: Don't do it. You don't have to be funny to be effective. Use humor or irony instead of telling a joke. Or, simply start with a story or a quote. Throw away the jokes. More often than not, they backfire.

Shut the light off to show slides
Reality: In total darkness, your audience members will fall asleep. And they'll be startled when you turn the lights back on. Use a dimmer instead. Give people enough light to see the slides, and be sure you can see their faces as well.


You shouldn't be nervous Reality: You can control and manage nervousness, but you can't eliminate it. For most of us, the fear of making a presentation never really goes away. Even the top speakers get nervous. But some nervous energy is good for you. It keeps you dynamic. The goal is to channel your nervous energy into a positive performance.

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DiResta Communications, Inc.Communicating With Impact!

A Predilection for Diction

We recently heard Hillary Clinton at the podium giving a speech when suddenly she launched into a Southern accent. Madonna has been criticized for speaking with a "phony" British accent. Why do some people attempt to change their diction? In the case of Hillary it may have been to relate to the audience by sounding like one of them. In Madonna's case it may be an attempt to rise above her social class and to assimilate into British society. Whatever the reason, we are judged by our speech. In a study by West Georgia College-Speech and Social Status in America,it was determined that " a person's social status is determined by their voice even when content free speech is used e.g. counting from one to ten."

Good diction is important but artificial speech can alienate an audience. When working with clients on accent modification their progress is often thwarted by friends and family who experience the new speech pattern as phony. If your accent is difficult to understand or your regional speech garners frequent comments,you will be well served by improving your diction. But be sure to tell people you're working to improve your speech. The late Princess Grace had to change her speech when she was an aspiring actress. She informed her family that she "had to speak this way." They realized she was serious and eventually her new speech pattern became natural.
We don't all need to sound like Midwestern broadcasters and a few regionalisms can add color and interest. But if people continually ask you to repeat yourself, ask you where you are from, and say that you need polish, you may want to develop a predilection for diction.

DiResta Communications, Inc.Communicating With Impact!

Mea Culpa-When You Make a Mistake, Admit It

Recently, Jet Blue airlines experienced a major setback when it didn't have enough flights to meet the demand. Some passengers were on the runway for 10 hours and others were stuck at airports trying to get home.

When disaster strikes, a strong leader takes responsibility and does so quickly. This is a time when the presenter must be sincere and credible. Making excuses will not be tolerated and a slick style will not reassure the listeners.

Jet Blue's CEO took quick action by contacting the public. He sent out a video email to address the issue. He began with a clear purpose statement and got right to the point. By looking directly at the camera and never wavering in his eye contact he conveyed honesty and sincerity. His voice was conversational with an apologetic tone. He seemed both contrite and nervous. Nervousness was evident by the licking of his lips, hard swallowing, non-words (um), and repetition of words ("in the, in the.") Toward the conclusion of his talk, he gesticulated with his fist while saying, "We want you to have confidence in us. We ask for your business and trust."
This gesture showed conviction and was congruent with the spoken message.

Although, he demonstrated some nervous mannerisms, it was the sincerity that made him believable. When rebuilding a relationship with the audience you'll be more convincing when you apologize and speak from your heart

To see the video click on the link:

http://www.jetblue.com/about/ourcompany/promise/index.html?source=ap_2promise

DiResta Communications, Inc.Communicating With Impact!

Open Mouth, Insert Foot

Senator Joe Biden recently put his foot in his mouth when he said, Barak Obama is the "first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy." He meant it as a compliment. Instead, he may have hurt his political career due to outrage from the media.

Why are people taking offense? Obama is very articulate but not the first. By using the word first, the listeners hear it as meaning "only."
Secondly, the most objectionable word is "clean." I believe Biden meant that Obama didn't have any baggage or skeletons in his closet. People took the meaning literally which was insulting.

What's the lesson in all this? CHOOSE YOUR WORDS CAREFULLY and KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE. This is true in business and politics. One poorly chosen word or phrase can bring an otherwise effective presentation spiralling downward to defeat. In corporate environments where political correctness is the rule, it's critical to review your presentation for language and humor. Take your presentation and run it by the savviest people in your company or agency. Practice the jokes out loud and review your terminology for the intended meaning and interpretation. Guard against being quoted out of context. Can the words stand alone? If not, go back and edit.

Success in public speaking is 90% preparation and 10% delivery. To be successul, it takes a lot of preparation, testing, and practice. The next time you give a speech, make sure they hear your pearls of wisdom and not the sound of feet.

DiResta Communications, Inc.Communicating With Impact!