Blog

Here you’ll find inspiration and practical advice all focused on your communication skills development, managing public speaking anxiety, improving your confidence in the workplace, developing effective leadership skills, knowing how best to find a new role or career, learning how to get promoted and understanding your strengths, skills and values.

How to speak with more impact so that people sit up and take notice

Whether it's acing interviews, engaging with audiences, or crafting stories to boost your brand, we're all in the business of communicating these days. And how we use our words matters.

How much can you fit into 30 mins about speaking with impact and using your words well? It turns out, quite a lot!

I was a guest on Gillian Whitney’s LinkedIn Live recently and we had a great conversation about…

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audience, communication skills, language Mica Allan audience, communication skills, language Mica Allan

Why you should speak as you normally do to connect more with people

“I’m almost ready. I’m just going to put on a bit of an earring” I said to my husband.

To be clear I didn’t go out with one boot on. Or with my jacket half on. Or wearing one earring.

I’ve been around for a while and have got the getting dressed thing figured out. But my husband knew what I meant when I made the comment.

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How to introduce yourself so that people's eyes don't glaze over

Looking for a way to introduce yourself?  That won’t have people plastering a polite but not interested smile on their face? And instead instantly start to build rapport and connection?

Here’s how.

Chances are when you give a presentation at an event, you’ve got something prepared for how to introduce yourself to your audience. Do you have this kind of introduction for other audiences?

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Lead like Chris Martin

Do you have a headful of dreams but leadership causes you some trouble? Do you need something to help fix you? Something that's magic? Look no further, you'll be on the up and up before you know it with these leadership lessons from Chris Martin.

I saw Coldplay last weekend. It was a recording of their concert from the night before in Buenos Aires shown in the cinema. What was it like? Well, it ticked a few boxes.

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Your audience loves it when you do this

Lying, relaxing floating on a blissful cloud with an “Oooh” and an “Ahhhhhhh.” Versus, lying with every muscle taught waiting for the moment when there’s pain followed by a series of sharp intakes of breath.

There’s a street in Amsterdam which has a gorgeous, nurturing massage place next door to a waxing shop. I’m not making this up. I’m wondering how that works.

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audience, engagement, public speaking Mica Allan audience, engagement, public speaking Mica Allan

Why you should know your audience

What are you doing to meet your audiences’ needs? How would you rate your connection with them? And what happens when you don’t get them and they don’t get you?

The short answer is that you look a bit daft and it teaches you to laugh at yourself. Here are two occasions when I did not do my homework about who was sitting in front of me.

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Ten top tips for public speaking

We are all public speakers. Whether it’s show and tell at school, being put on the spot at work to “just say a few words” or facing a sea of expectant faces from a stage. Here are ten top tips to help you.

It covers a range of topics from storytelling to the power of pauses, and why clarity, editing and learning the needs of your audience are your best friends when you’re preparing what you’re going to say.

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Five steps to motivating your audience

You've an audience in front of you and your role is to motivate them. Here's a simple 5 piece structure to help you do just that.

We know Mickey Mouse and M&Ms have shaped American culture, but what about Alan H. Monroe? I'll give you a few clues. He invented something in the 1930s. You'll know his work. It might have brought a lump to your throat. It made you care. It made you want to take action. Any ideas? Read on…

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