Yesterday I joined Rachel Staigar and alternew founder Nancy Rhodes for morning meditation and journaling (if ever there was a day where I needed more calm and connection, that was it). 

Instead of introducing ourselves with what we do, we answered the question. "If you were a vegetable, what would you be?"

I loved the answers (especially brussel sprouts because you didn't know how much you'd love them until you tried them) – they got everyone laughing and loosened up the room.

But mostly I loved this activity because it added creativity and humor to something that might otherwise be mundane.

This is exactly what I do with communication – make it more fun and compelling and creative. 

It's a lot like cooking – I give you a recipe to speak clearly and concisely while also letting your personality shine through. 

Want a peek into my process? 

It also starts with vegetables (and no you don't have to eat anything you don't like). 

• First, we identify your strengths and hone in on your message.
  
  

• Then, we work on your mindset so you never look at communication the same way.
  
  

• Finally, we practice your delivery and add in the spices so you can engage any audience at any time.

Here's how a corporate client described our work together:

"Madeline unlocked so much power in me, and incredibly, she did this in the most lighthearted, subtle and even fun way....Madeline got me to the point where I no longer “need” her help to prepare a presentation. Now I just *want* her in my corner on every talk I give because I’ve seen firsthand her gift for elevating a good-enough talk into something truly powerful and engaging.."

Just like brussel sprouts, you don't know what you're missing until you try it. 

Want to learn more about working together?  Let's chat.

Hi, I’m Madeline.

I help quiet leaders and organizations communicate their story and invite audiences into their world.

I’ve taught hundreds of professionals to confidently speak in public, craft talks that resonate with your audience and lead with authority.

Get in touch at madeline@madelineschwarz.com

These 3 simple skills will make you a better presenter, better teammate, better client manager, and all-around better communicator.

You might be a great designer, fantastic problem solver, or renowned subject matter expert, but in the words of Warren Buffet:

“If you can’t communicate your ideas and get them across to other people, you’re giving up your potential.”

So how do you hone these skills and what’s entailed in a good presentation?

The best presenters are not just good speakers, they’re also good listeners.

You might think you need only to prepare persuasive speaking points in order to sell your work (and you do) but in order to capture attention and gain the trust of your audience, you also need to listen.

Too often we forget that listening is 50% of communication.

Whether you’re presenting research, creative concepts, or new company policies, listening allows you to tap into the hearts and minds of your clients, your teammates and stakeholders.

I’ve put together a 3-part framework to help you stay on track:

1. Be clear

When I work with clients, the first thing we do is define your objective.

Before you open Powerpoint (or Keynote or google slides), get clear on your message.

Spend a couple minutes thinking through the purpose of your presentation and what you want the audience to walk away.

Write down the 3 most important points you’d like to communicate.

You might have 30 things you want to talk about but they're not all equally important and limiting it to 3 provides focus and direction.

2. Be compelling

Once you’re clear on the purpose of your presentation, your job is to create an experience that builds interest and intrigue. There are many great techniques to engage your audience, including pictures, questions, humor, and stories.

Stories grab attention, elicit emotion and make your topic memorable. They are the felafel amidst the grilled chicken and pasta so if you want your audience to pay attention, spend time on your stories.

3. Be curious

Once you’ve designed your presentation, the next step is to stay curious when delivering your presentation. This is often the most challenging part, especially when things don't go as planned.

I’ve worked with creative teams for nearly twenty years and noticed two typical responses when people are met with critical feedback or concerns.

• Option 1: Get defensive

• Option 2: Shut down and don't respond at all

These are natural human responses to stress but neither gets you closer to your goal.

Curiosity, on the other hand, helps you move out of flight or fright and stay calm amidst tough questions and concerns.

When you feel the urge to defend your work or tune out, ask yourself these questions:

• Why might the other person feel that way?

• What additional information do they need to feel comfortable?

Curious listening helps you discover the additional information you need to present in order for the audience to feel comfortable. If you're not listening, you might miss the most important details.

Want tips to tap into your natural curiosity? Check out Curiosity Kills the Cat. Or Does it.

Hi, I’m Madeline.

I help quiet leaders and organizations communicate their story and invite audiences into their world.

Together we transform how you communicate, at work, at home, in life.

Get in touch at madeline@madelineschwarz.com.

I recently had the pleasure of working with Executive Presence Expert and Style Coach David McKnight on a corporate presentation he was giving on executive presence. ⠀
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We then sat down to talk about starting a business and the importance of embracing your personal style when speaking in public. You can read excerpts from our interview here.

What role does image and style play when someone is giving a speech or presentation?

 It’s so important to embrace your personal style when you’re taking center stage –that includes not only your attire but also your unique voice and a presenting style that suits you. Too often people get caught up in the idea that they need to look or sound a certain way in order to be effective. 

You don’t need to be a big performer in order to captivate a room. In fact, I think that listening is one of the most overlooked skills, and introverts make great public speakers because they can really tap into their audience.

The best way to connect is to be yourself. Don’t try to be over polished or you might look like a robot.  Lean on your strengths and remember that your audience isn’t perfect either. 

Do you touch on this topic when you are coaching your clients? If so, how do you approach it?

I was teaching a workshop at FIT and someone asked me what they should wear when presenting. I don’t have a specific formula (that’s more your department) but here are a few guidelines.

• Wear something that makes you feel powerful.

• Wear clothes that are comfortable (this doesn’t mean causal but you do want to feel good in your clothes when all eyes are on you).

• Wear something that is appropriate for your audience.

• If you’re nervous and tend to sweat, wear darker colors.

• If you’re speaking on a panel, make sure you can comfortably sit in your outfit. 

How has your awareness of your own personal style evolved as you transitioned into your role as a full-time speaker and presentation coach?

I define my professional wardrobe with bright colors and bold patterns (think Merimmeko and Pierre Cardin).

I used to wear a lot of black (and still love a good black shirt dress,) but I’ve become bolder in my color choices as I’ve embraced my voice. My go-to looks are dresses or jeans, blazer and boots and I always include something colorful.

Wearing bright and colorful pieces to an event is a great way to stand out. It invites people to talk to you and makes you memorable.

It’s also an integral part of my brand. You see color and pattern in my website and marketing materials and it helps express my playful, creative style.

I hired you to work with me one-on-one to help me prepare for a big speaking opportunity. What are some of the other ways that someone can work with you?

I teach a small group class called Speak with Impact, a 5-week immersive experience where you write and practice a presentation in a group and learn how to stop doubting yourself and confidently articulate your vision.

I work with people 1:1 in a program called Craft your Talk which provides guidance on every step of creating your signature talk and delivering it with authority.

And I teach workshops for teams on presentation skills and interpersonal team communication.

Read the entire interview here.

Find out more about how to work with David McKnight here.