Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:53 — 18.6MB)
Subscribe: Google Podcasts | RSS | More
Laura Penn, PhD is an experienced and well-rounded public speaking coach. As a Toastmasters European champion of public speaking, author of the book How to Enhance the Performance of Public Speaking: A Pocket Coach and a trained performer in theater and dance, she helps individuals become effective public speakers. Based in Switzerland, she provides custom-tailored, interactive training in public speaking for clients and organizations in the academic, not-for-profit and private sectors. She also serves as a speaker coach for a wide variety of TEDx events.
How to Enhance the Performance of Public Speaking: A Pocket Coach
Laura noticed that people don’t consider public speaking as a performance. Published in 2013, this book describes the elements of performance of speaking. The book also serves as a public speaking journal.
What is stage presence?
Laura’s definition of stage presence is: the ability to wow your audience with your charisma and energy.
Main elements of stage presence
Stage presence is a combination of:
- How you use your eyes.
- How you smile.
- How you stand, your posture.
Related: Being an authentic speaker
Three great examples of stage presence
Jane Goodall, a conservationist. Small woman, but she exudes inner power.
Bill Clinton. Stage presence in a conversational way, approachable.
Martin Luther King. A leader who made you feel safe, who guided you.
Her favorite quotation
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, it’s not going to get better.” — Dr. Seuss (from his book “The Lorax”)
Recommended book
Mastery: The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment by George Leonard
Routine to Shine
You can do this daily: turn on a reality TV show, and turn the volume off. Sit down and watch it for 10 minutes, and study the gestures, micro-movements, expressions to learn the skills for yourself. Be a student of body language.
Links
the Professional Speaker Coach
P.S. If you liked this episode, you might enjoy subscribing to our mailing list. Don’t miss any of our upcoming episodes with our amazing guests! Sign up here.
[…] Related: Wow Your Audience With Stage Presence […]