Presentation Skills Coaching

Why presentation skills coaching is actually leadership coaching (and vice versa)... When I do presentation skills coaching, I'm bringing equal parts of my experience as a professional speaker and my experience as a leadership coach. Why? Because while sometimes getting better at public speaking is about refreshing someone's tips, tools, and techniques, it's just as often about something else entirely. Here's what I've learned: You can teach someone the "rule of three", how to work a stage, or how to tangle tough questions, but if they're carrying invisible weight into that conference room, no amount of "remember to pause for emphasis" is going to help them connect authentically with their audience. The real work I do often looks like this: 1. The overwhelmed parent whose mind is split between this presentation and everything waiting at home. They're running through pickup logistics while trying to remember their own slide deck. The technical skills are there, but the mental space isn't. 2. The leader still carrying childhood wounds, like that teacher who embarrassed them in front of the whole class decades ago. That memory is still traumatic, still shaping how they show up when all eyes are on them. 3. The professional working for a catastrophizer whose boss makes mountains out of molehills, so they've learned that any minor stumble could become a major disaster. Now they're so focused on being perfect that they've lost their natural presence. The gestures, the vocal variety, the structure; that's the teachable part. The harder part is helping someone recognize that their presentation struggles might not be about presentations at all. Because the overwhelm doesn't stay home just because we've entered a professional setting. The old shame doesn't disappear just because we're adults now. The hypervigilance doesn't switch off just because we're in a different room. This is why I rarely work with someone and think, "They just need better slides." I'm looking at a whole human trying to show up powerfully in one slice of their life while managing everything else that makes them, well, them. And that's the work that actually moves the needle. So if you're looking to become a more powerful presenter and more polished communicator, consider starting from the inside out. The technical skills matter, absolutely. But the inner work -- understanding what you're really carrying into that room -- that's often where the transformation begins. #publicspeaking #communicationskills #leadershipcoaching

Presenting to the Board? Here’s What Seasoned Leaders Do Differently. Board presentations are where leadership visibility and strategic influence collide. And for many executives I coach, presenting a complex acquisition or a major strategic investment is where their credibility is truly tested. So how do confident, high-performing leaders earn the board’s trust in those moments? They don’t just present, they frame, elevate, and influence. Here’s what that looks like in practice: 🔹 They lead with why now. The best board presenters don’t start with the deal; they start with the strategic rationale. Why this acquisition? Why this partner? Why this timing? 🔹 They stay at the right altitude. Operational detail stays in the appendix. The focus is on alignment with long-term goals, shareholder value, and competitive advantage. 🔹 They offer a clear decision framework. Rather than pitching a single answer, they lay out the options considered, trade-offs weighed, and why the proposed path is optimal. 🔹 They’re proactive about risk. Board members respect leaders who name integration risk, control issues in JVs, or possible cultural mismatches and show how they plan to mitigate them. 🔹 They make the value real. Whether it’s synergies from an acquisition or expected ROI from a strategic stake, they visualize the upside—and the impact on long-term growth. One client I coached had to present a joint venture with a global tech partner. Through our work together, she shifted from “explaining the deal” to telling the strategic story: why it fit the firm’s innovation roadmap, how decision rights would be protected, and where the real value lay. Her confidence and clarity changed the tone of the entire conversation. 💬 Leadership at this level isn’t just about what you say but how you frame decisions for the people who oversee the whole business. If you're preparing for an upcoming board presentation, I’d encourage you to ask: Am I sharing information… or shaping the future? If you desire support in effectively presenting to your board or generally improving your executive presence, please reach out. #ExecutivePresence #BoardLeadership #StrategicInfluence #ExecutiveCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment

[𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬] Toastmasters International awarded me the 𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘮 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘎𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘌𝘢𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘈𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 (2016) for excellence in public speaking. You see, Toastmasters has been the most transformative professional development program I have ever attended. It is THE reason behind the results I have been able to produce in my consulting and training business. Here are some lessons I learned from Toastmasters that I use every day in coaching, facilitation, and presentations: 1) Pause more often. Most presenters and coaches rush to fill silence, but pauses create impact. A well-placed pause makes people lean in, absorb your message, and anticipate what’s next. Whether you're speaking, coaching, or leading a meeting—silence is a tool, not a gap. 2) Ask more questions. Speaking isn’t just about delivering information—it’s about engaging your audience. Questions shift the focus from you to them. They make people think, reflect, and participate. Want your message to stick? Aim for minimum 1-3 questions for every 5 minutes of presenting. 3) When presenting - use your speaking area with purpose (virtual/in-person). Whether in person or virtual, your space is part of your message. On stage, moving forward can emphasize a key point, while stepping to the side can signal a shift in topic. On video, eye contact with the camera, intentional gestures, and framing make all the difference. Your presence is part of your delivery—own it. 4) Tell them what you’re going to tell them. Tell them. Then tell them what you told them. This simple structure ensures clarity and retention. Set the stage, deliver the message, and reinforce it. Whether in a keynote, a workshop, or a coaching session, repetition isn’t redundancy—it’s reinforcement. 5) Stories win over slides. People remember stories. Facts inform, but stories inspire. Whether coaching a leader, running a retrospective, or making a business case—the right story can make all the difference. Hope these help. Any questions, please feel free to comment and I will answer. #agilecoaching #scaledagileframework #SAFe #scrummaster #productmanagement #leadership #consulting #agileproductdevelopment

🎤 "From stage fright to spotlight: How I went from bombing my first speech to coaching clients for their keynotes. My 3-week formula for presentation success..." As someone who has delivered countless presentations, I've developed a 3-week formula for conference success. Let me walk you through my process and share some insights I've gained along the way. 3️⃣ Weeks Out: • Outline key points - I identify 3-5 core messages I want the audience to remember • Create an inspiring mood board 🖼️ - This helps me visualize the presentation's tone and style. This also provides me with inspiration. 2️⃣ Weeks Out: • Craft presentation draft - I focus on creating a coherent narrative flow • I aim for 1 slide per 3 minutes of allocated time - This ensures I don't overwhelm the audience with information and also allows me to read the room if certain topics create more engagement • Weave in a compelling narrative arc - I use storytelling techniques to engage listeners. Villains, Heroes, Fairy Tale Endings! 1️⃣ Week Out: • Polish transitions - Smooth segues between topics to maintain audience attention and keep the presentation from feeling choppy • Perfect timing ⏱️ - I practice with a timer to ensure I respect the allotted time slot 2️⃣ Days Before: • Full run-through with notes 📝 - This helps identify any weak spots in the presentation and ensures I have notes for a fallback 1️⃣ Day Before: • Practice without notes - This builds confidence and improves natural delivery • Familiarize myself with the venue - Understanding the space helps me plan my stage presence ⏰ Day Of: • Don't overprepare the day of - you got this and last-minute changes can trip you up • Nail the first 30 seconds - A strong opening sets the tone for the entire talk • Smile and get comfortable on stage 😊 - Positive body language helps connect with the audience ✅ Pro Tips: 1. Use bullet points, not complete scripts. This keeps delivery natural and engaging. I've found memorizing word-for-word can lead to stilted delivery if I lose my place. 2. Be authentically you. Your unique perspective is your superpower on stage. Audiences respond to genuine speakers who share personal insights. 3. Incorporate audience interaction. I like to include a brief Q&A session or a quick poll by hand to keep listeners actively engaged. 4. Leverage the power of pause. Strategic silences can emphasize key points and give the audience time to absorb information. 5. Prepare for tech issues. I always assume the presentation won't work and I will just have to speak to it as a worst-case scenario. 6. Connect with other speakers. Networking at conferences can lead to valuable collaborations and future opportunities. Remember, public speaking is a skill that improves with practice. Each presentation is an opportunity to refine your technique and connect with your audience in meaningful ways. #PublicSpeaking #PresentationSkills #ConferenceTips #ProfessionalDevelopment #SpeakerPrep #StagePresence

After 15+ years of coaching speakers, I've identified the number one presentation killer, and it actually happens before the talk is ever given. It's this: Obsessing over WHAT you'll say while completely missing WHO you're saying it to. Here's the truth: A good message to the right audience beats a brilliant message to the wrong one. Think about it, would you use the same approach presenting to: • A room of C-suite executives • A class of graduate students • A conference of industry peers Of course not. Yet most speakers skip the crucial first step: audience analysis. Want to transform your next presentation? Start with these 3 power questions: 1) WHO ARE THEY? (The Demographics Deep-Dive) • Age range & experience level • Professional backgrounds • Industry context & company dynamics • Decision-making authority 2) WHAT DRIVES THEM? (The Motivation Matrix) • Core challenges they're facing • Career aspirations & goals • Pain points keeping them up at night • What would make them lean in and listen 3) WHAT DO THEY NEED? (The Value Filter) Not what you WANT to share, but what they NEED to hear. Big difference. Pro Tip: Write these questions on a sticky note before your next prep session. Let them guide every slide, story, and statistic you include. The result? You'll stop being just another speaker and start being the one they remember.

Most presentation advice is backwards. Here's what TEDx coaches actually teach. As a TEDx speaker and TEDx coach, here's what I've learned. But this advice isn't just for TED stages. It's for anyone who's been asked to give a presentation at work. A quarterly update. A team offsite. A conference breakout. The principles are the same. Here are 5 secrets that separate standout talks from forgettable ones: 1. You're Spending Time on the Wrong Thing → Most speakers rush to rehearsal. Wrong move. Spend 60% of your prep on content. Structure, story, emotional arc. A weak script rehearsed 100 times is still a weak script. 2. One Idea. That's It. → Your presentation isn't a data dump. It's one core message. Every story, every stat, every slide should serve that single idea. If it doesn't, cut it. 3. Vulnerability Beats Expertise → Your credentials got you the invite. They won't make the talk memorable. Audiences connect with struggle, not success. Reveal the messy moments. 4. Memorize the Ideas, Not the Words → Word-for-word scripts sound like word-for-word scripts. Internalize your talk so deeply you can deliver it like a conversation. Forget a line? Keep going. 5. Stop Rehearsing Before You Go On → Counterintuitive but critical. Stop intense rehearsals 1 to 3 days out. Shift to visualization and rest. Over-rehearsing spikes anxiety. Confidence comes from trusting you've done the work. The best speakers don't perform. They connect. Which one of these do you need to hear? 👉 Repost to help someone prepare for a talk 👉 Follow Jimi Gibson for lessons on how to grow your business. 👉 Snag my free 7-day email course on AI and marketing: https://lnkd.in/ewH2asW8

25 years of communication skills knowledge in 25 Powerful Lessons.  After 25 years of writing, coaching, speaking and advising senior leaders, I’ve learned one thing: 💡 Your communication is your leadership. Here are 25 hard-earned, real-world lessons to help you communicate like the top 1%: 1️⃣ Clarity is a leadership skill If people don’t understand you, they won’t follow you. 2️⃣ Write how you speak. Speak how you write. Writing gives you clarity to speak in atomic statements.    3️⃣ Make the audience go “Me too!” not “So what?” Make it about them, not yourself. 4️⃣ 30-second story > 30 slides Stories create alignment. Slides often create confusion. 5️⃣ Confidence is concise Say less. Mean more. 6️⃣ Repetition builds reputation If you don’t repeat your key message, no one else will. 7️⃣ Design every message Outline what they need to know, feel, and do. 8️⃣ Manage your emotions or they manage you Learn to put distance between you and your emotions. 9️⃣ Tell your story, not your resume People don’t remember your roles. They remember your transformation. 🔟 Create Charisma with competence and warmth Charisma is a set of behaviors. Anyone can learn it. 1️⃣1️⃣ Start with the point, not the background Get to the point, or create suspense for the big reveal. 1️⃣2️⃣ Stories beat stats – but stories with stats win trust Emotion hooks. Evidence converts. 1️⃣3️⃣ If you don’t own your message, someone else will define it for you Control the narrative – or risk becoming it. 1️⃣4️⃣ Leadership communication isn’t about you You’re not the hero. Your audience is. You’re the guide. 1️⃣5️⃣ The best messages fit in a tweet If you can’t make it short, you haven’t made it clear. 1️⃣6️⃣ Filler words kill credibility Umms, likes, maybes – edit them out to sound more certain. 1️⃣7️⃣ Every presentation is a trust test People decide in seconds: “Do I believe this person?” 1️⃣8️⃣ Silence is a power move Pausing shows control. Rambling signals insecurity. 1️⃣9️⃣ Don’t speak to inform – speak to inspire Information is everywhere. Inspiration is rare. 2️⃣0️⃣ Don’t use scripts. Use structures Scripts make you robotic. Structures turn you into a raconteur. 2️⃣1️⃣ If you confuse them, you lose them Confusion creates doubt. Doubt kills momentum. 2️⃣2️⃣ You can’t fake authentic passion If you don’t care, it shows. So care deeply. 2️⃣3️⃣Reputation precedes revenue It is easier to build and harder to sell – unless you have reach and reputation. 2️⃣4️⃣ The real message is how you make them feel They’ll forget your slides. But they’ll remember your tone and presence. 2️⃣5️⃣  In the age of AI, your unique voice matters more than ever Be a non-fungable human in a sea of AI-generated content.  🗣 Which one resonates most? 📌 Follow me, Oliver Aust, for daily strategies to communicate like the top 1% of leaders.