Tag: public speaking

  • Ears

    Several years ago, a wise old preacher friend was giving me some advice about public speaking. “I want to keep doing it,” he said, “as long as my ears are good.” Although this sounded wise, it also seemed illogical, coming from a man whose main job (in my mind) was to talk. But I think…

  • The Magic of Spoken Word

    Nine years ago I stood up in front of 50 Chilean and realized that I had something to say. For the first time I felt like myself in front of a group, without shaky knees, and realized that I could make a connection with people, make them laugh (at my own expense, maybe), feel and…

  • Stats That Tell Stories

    Stats aren’t just numbers, they tell stories. Often statistics are seen as boring, but if they’re interpreted and presented in the right way they can offer incredible insights. No one has demonstrated this more clearly than Hans Rosling. If you haven’t yet, check out his TED talks: The Truth About HIV, New Insights on Poverty,…

  • Behind the Scenes at TED

    I just watched this amazing behind the scenes video from 2010’s TED conference. It follows Raghava KK and Sir Ken Robinson through the conference, and in the moments leading up to and following their respective talks. Behind the TEDTalk 2010 from m ss ng p eces on Vimeo. If you’ve ever given a talk or…

  • A Napkin Can Make You a Better Communicator

    Last week we took Olivia to a pediatrician. After the Doc had asked a bunch questions and done the basic check-up stuff, he proceeded give some suggestions for Olivia’s health. Often a doctor will rattle off a bunch of important info during an appointment, then you struggle to remember it a couple weeks down the road…

  • Chris Anderson: How web video powers global innovation

    In his inspiring presentation Chris Anderson, curator of the TED Conference,  introduces to the term “crowd accelerated innovation” and how web video has amplified this process exponentially. “Our brains are uniquely wired to decipher video.” Anderson makes the point that while the written word has done so much to advance ideas worldwide, it is a…

  • Derek Sivers: Keep Your Goals to Yourself

    This generation has been called “coffee-drinkers” who merely talk about their great future endeavours, but don’t do anything to accomplish them (I guess this is only slightly more flattering than the label “lazy”). In this short TED talk Derek Sivers explains one possible reason why so many of us have a hard time reaching our…

  • Olivia and the Language of 1000 Faces

    One thing that has amazed us as we watched Olivia grow and develop is the variety of expressions displayed on her little face. When she’s happy, her entire head radiates sunshine; when she’s upset, dark clouds roll into every wrinkle. Surprise, joy, curiosity, pain, tiredness, her face says it all. What I find equally fascinating…

  • My Ode to the Margin

    Margins are the most under-estimated spaces on a page. I often find myself figuring out, my attempts to maximize each sheet of paper, exactly how close to the edge of a page my printer will print. I try to eliminate margins. Most all of us concern ourselves more with the content than the space around…