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“Imagine what it’s like trying to keep people’s attention in a virtual meeting—one they might not be interested in, a meeting they might even feel they don’t belong in. Yet, there they are, and it’s your job to keep them focused and get business done,” begins Karin Reed.
In this episode, Karin addresses the challenges of keeping participants engaged in virtual meetings and offers practical strategies to maintain active involvement. The first step, she suggests, is to assess whether the meeting should even happen in the first place and offers two questions to ask to ensure that it does, based on insights from her co-author, Dr. Joe Allen, from their books Suddenly Virtual, Suddenly Hybrid, and Running Effective Meetings for Dummies. Dr. Allen suggests that in some cases, asynchronous communication may be a more effective option.
Karin emphasizes the importance of setting clear expectations from the start—defining the meeting’s purpose and agenda upfront and encouraging participants to turn on their cameras to enhance communication through non-verbal cues.
What can you do to make virtual meetings more dynamic? Karin suggests breaking content into smaller, manageable segments and incorporating interactive elements like polls, Q&A sessions, and chat participation. She also points out the value of allowing some non-business small talk, mimicking informal in-person interactions, which can help build rapport and lead to more meaningful contributions.
Another key tip? Start the call early and stay until everyone has left. This approach opens up opportunities for one-on-one interactions that might otherwise be missed. Karin stresses the importance of keeping participants engaged throughout the meeting, whether through discussions or interactive tasks.
Quotes
“If a virtual meeting does not require input and interaction from your audience, don’t make people sit there and listen to you spout off that information. Send it out in a way they can consume on their own time without disrupting their workflow.” (03:12 | Karin Reed) “When we have virtual meetings, we’re expecting people to be active participants through a screen. And boy, it’s really hard to get people out of that passive observer position. They just want to show up, put themselves on mute, and sit there. But nobody can pay attention for that long if they’re just sitting there and watching… It’s a big challenge—keeping people tuned in and engaged.” (04:37 | Karin Reed) “Keeping the camera on allows people to communicate fully. It enables you to use non-verbal cues to deliver your message more effectively. People can read the intent of your message more easily, and when their cameras are on, you can also see the impact of your message on them.” (08:35 | Karin Reed)Links
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
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“Wouldn’t it be great if you had someone to guide you through writing your next chapter? Marcy Bullock is one of those people,” says Karin Reed in today’s episode of Speaker Dynamics - “Own the Room.” Joining Karin, Marcy emphasizes the importance of viewing life and career as a series of chapters, encouraging us to focus on “what’s next” rather than feeling overwhelmed by planning our entire future at once. How often do we burden ourselves with trying to figure it all out, instead of just concentrating on the next step? Marcy’s approach can help ease the pressure that many high achievers feel when facing major life decisions.
The episode delves into gender disparities in the workforce, with Marcy addressing challenges women face, such as unnecessary apologies, the struggle for equal pay, and the impact of the #MeToo Movement. Drawing from her experience teaching at NC State, she shares strategies for self-advocacy among women and marginalized groups. Despite progress, significant gaps remain in areas like parental leave and salary transparency. Marcy also uses a sports analogy to illustrate how cultural conditioning contributes to the confidence gap, with women often internalizing criticism while men tend to deflect it.
To help listeners overcome self-doubt and assert their worth, Marcy offers practical strategies—such as using data in salary negotiations and avoiding “glue work” that doesn’t align with strategic goals. She also emphasizes the importance of professional development and aligning your actions with your personal values. Marcy’s house analogy vividly illustrates how to prioritize your values, from foundational deal-breakers to minor preferences, urging us to focus on what truly matters.
Marcy leaves us with a powerful message: get out of your own way. She encourages us to treat ourselves with the same compassion we’d offer a best friend and to be intentional in our life choices.
Quotes
“I realized that any marginalized group needs role models, needs tools in order to be able to succeed. And so, I decided to design this course and after teaching it for a few years, it was one of the most rewarding things I did because I’m very excited about helping women to advocate for themselves, to get what they are worth.” (06:09 | Marcy Bullock) “I think one of the biggest factors at play is women going into the workforce often being apologetic. They don’t want to step on anyone’s toes… So I think with gender parity, one of the big issues is, well, let’s just be real—parental leave and women being primary caretakers in a lot of families... Also, I just feel that overall, when women go into the workforce, we know they don’t make as much money as men do.” (07:32 | Marcy Bullock) “Don’t raise your hand for that unless that’s part of your job description… How does your job match with your boss’s priorities? How are you prioritizing things, and can you tie your accomplishments to impactful action items that have made a big impact on that organization? That’s how you’re going to be able to advocate yourself. But if you’re continually agreeing to do some of these things that women typically do, you’re going to find that when it’s time to advocate, you don’t have as much to pull for.” (18:44 | Marcy Bullock)Links
Connect with Marcy Bullock:
Marcy Lee Coaching Consulting - https://sites.google.com/view/marcylee/home?authuser=0
Instagram - @marcyleecoaching
The Confidence Code - https://learnconfidencecode.com
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
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For years, executive presence meant fitting a specific mold, but that’s no longer the case. In this episode, Karin Reed shares how authenticity in communication can bolster your executive presence.
Karin outlines five key strategies for integrating authentic communication into leadership to enhance executive presence. First, she emphasizes being a whole person, not just a job title, sharing anecdotes that provide a window into one’s personal life which can make leaders more relatable. Second, she advises leaders to “listen to learn” rather than “talk to tell,” quoting Wilfred Bion on the purest form of listening without preconceived notions or agendas. The third strategy is to speak in plain, simple language to ensure clear communication and comprehension, rather than trying to impress with an extensive vocabulary. Fourth, Karin encourages leaders to give themselves grace for verbal missteps, sharing humorous personal experiences to illustrate that everyone makes mistakes when they speak. Lastly, she emphasizes the importance of owning one’s expertise while being humble enough to admit when they don't know something, fostering a culture of psychological safety within the team.
Karin leaves listeners with a powerful takeaway: authentic leadership is more valued today than ever before. By speaking from the heart and prioritizing genuine connections, leaders can enhance their executive presence and inspire their teams more effectively.
Quotes
“Authenticity is your key to resonating with your audience and that’s what’s going to make you an effective leader.” (02:18 | Karin Reed)“Helping people to understand why you do what you do is a great opportunity for you to help them to understand the decisions that you make, the motivation that you have for your goals that you have for the team and frankly for themselves as well. There’s also an element of being sure that you are seen as a full person that allows you to connect better with others.” (05:26 | Karin Reed) “One of my favorite quotes is by Wilfred Bion. And he said, ‘The purest form of listening is to listen without memory, or desire.’ What this means is that you are listening without an agenda or any preconceived notions or really any sort of goal for what’s going to happen at the end. Instead, you are just listening to hear what they have to say and taking in the information as it comes to you. If you allow yourself to engage in that pure form of listening… you're going to learn more, but also those you are conversing with will feel seen, and they will feel heard.” (07:19 | Karin Reed) “The great leaders that I have worked with understand that communication should not be a one-way street, it should be a two-way street with dialogue. And that means spending even more time listening than talking to people and pushing forth what you want to say.” (08:11 | Karin Reed)Links
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
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With vacation season in full swing, the likelihood of hybrid meetings increases. This week, Dr. Joe Allen, co-author of “Suddenly Virtual” and “Suddenly Hybrid,” joins Karin Reed to share expert advice to help you make these hybrid meetings successful and productive.
Dr. Allen introduces his latest research on meeting participation, identifying five types: full participation, non-participation, pretending to participate, token legitimacy, and on-off participation. This typology helps understand the varied ways individuals engage in meetings, especially in hybrid settings. His findings reveal that hybrid meetings can be as satisfying, if not more so, than other formats, thanks to the consistent application of best practices.
Key pre-meeting considerations include ensuring strong connectivity and high-quality audio and video for all participants. Karin highlights the importance of meeting equity, ensuring all participants, whether in-room or remote, can be seen and heard clearly. Dr. Allen recommends using advanced tools like the Owl camera to enhance visibility and interaction.
During meetings, it’s crucial to avoid neglecting remote participants. Dr. Allen suggests assigning in-room allies to include virtual attendees in the conversation. Post-meeting, clear communication of decisions and assignments is essential, along with gathering feedback to improve future meetings. He underscores the significant cost of ineffective meetings, both in direct expenses and opportunity costs.
This episode of Speaker Dynamics offers a key takeaway: don’t fear hybrid meetings. By following best practices and leveraging available resources, hybrid meetings can be highly effective.
Quotes
“When we’re in a meeting, participation isn’t necessarily an either-or or an on-off situation, but it could be. That’s when some colleagues and I started looking into different types of participation. We created a typology of meeting participation: the five different types of participating.” (03:02 | Dr. Joe Allen) “Hybrid meetings were going to be a more complicated communication environment because you have people that are face-to-face, people that are virtual, and audio and visual dynamics that can be complicated. We didn’t find that they were bad. In fact, we found that they were just as good, if not, a little bit better than face-to-face and virtual meetings.” (08:31 | Dr. Joe Allen)“The things you have to think about are the dynamics of the people and how they’re connecting. You need to make sure that your team members have the ability to connect to the meeting and that their connection is strong, with good audio and video quality. You have to make sure the tools and equipment are all there because the two most important factors for the success of a hybrid meeting are being seen and heard.” (12:06 | Dr. Joe Allen) “One thing I think people forget to calculate is the sum cost of having people in the room rather than doing their other things – what’s the opportunity cost.” (16:49 | Dr. Joe Allen)Links
Connect with Dr. Joe Allen:
Website: https://www.joeallen.org/
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
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“It is critical that our digital impression is a good one, reflecting your personal leadership brand and your corporate brand,” says Karin Reed. Is your digital impression a good one? In this episode, Karin delves into the importance of creating a strong digital impression and maintaining a compelling virtual presence. She shares insights from her TV journalism career, illustrating how appearance and presentation impact audience perception.
Karin emphasizes that a good digital impression isn’t about vanity but about respect for the audience and distraction-free communication. She offers practical tips, covering essentials like background setup, lighting, audio quality, and camera positioning. Karin highlights the importance of an uncluttered background, proper lighting to allow the audience to read your facial expressions, clear audio, and eye-level camera placement. Additionally, she addresses the challenges of maintaining a strong digital presence while working from various locations, offering a bonus video on her website for finding the best lighting in any space.
This episode can be a comprehensive guide to improving your digital impression and virtual presence, with actionable tips for professional communication. Tune in to Speaker Dynamics for Karin’s expert advice on making a strong digital impression.
Quotes
“First impressions matter. They matter a lot. And oftentimes, that first impression is delivered digitally. With us showing up so often via webcam, it is critical that our digital impression that we are giving off is a good one, that it’s a good reflection of your personal leadership brand and a good reflection of your corporate brand.” (00:00 | Karin Reed)“Be aware that people are more tolerant of poor video quality than they are of poor audio quality. So if there is a place to invest your time and energy in improving, it would be in your audio.” (09:33 | Karin Reed)“We’ve talked about your background, we’ve talked about your lighting, we’ve talked about your audio, we’ve talked about your camera position. All of this is critical for you to ensure that your digital impression that you’re giving across is a good one, because you want to make sure that it is a great reflection of your personal leadership brand and that you have presence in the virtual room.” (18:04 | Karin Reed)Links
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
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“What do you want to be when you grow up?” asks Karin Reed. She argues this question is just as relevant for adults as it is for children, leading to a discussion about balancing immediate productivity with strategic, long-term goals. In this episode, Karin talks with Wall Street Journal bestselling author Dorie Clark about the critical practice of long-term thinking in a society fixated on immediate results.
Dorie, known for her work in the Harvard Business Review and Forbes, shares insights from her book, “The Long Game.” She highlights the struggle of finding time for strategic thinking in our busy lives and emphasizes the importance of structural changes for sustained success.
Dorie provides practical advice for leaders to foster a long-term mindset despite short-term pressures and introduces the concept of “optimizing for interesting”—pursuing meaningful activities that lead to fulfillment and success. Her personal anecdotes illustrate how small, consistent steps yield significant outcomes. She also discusses how to effectively communicate strategic visions, balancing humility with necessary self-promotion. Her straightforward approach helps listeners share achievements without boasting.
Dorie’s advice emphasizes the power of small, consistent steps and pursuing meaningful activities to achieve long-term success. Tune in to gain invaluable insights from Dorie Clark and learn how to develop a strategic mindset and optimize your path to fulfillment and achievement!
Quotes
“I’m always interested in questions about how people make meaning in their lives. And it seems like in our modern society, there’s really kind of two pat answers that, in the discourse, are often viewed as diametrically opposed… You optimize for money or for meaning. And I actually think that there’s a useful third way that we can be thinking about, which is optimizing for interesting. (08:29 | Dorie Clark) “If you’re optimizing for money, a lot of times, we know, culturally, people can be quite unhappy. Money gets you to a certain place, but it doesn’t get you to the finish line. It is necessary but not sufficient. But if you’re optimizing for interesting, you’re choosing things that are genuinely meaningful and cool to you.” (09:18 | Dorie Clark) “It’s important to remind people: It’s not that whenever you were pursuing whatever goal it was, or career it was, you weren’t just sitting eating bonbons. You actually did things. You met people, you made connections, you learned skills. And many of those skills and many of those connections are probably transferable. It also means that you see the world in a slightly different way, which sometimes can be extremely helpful.” (25:13 | Dorie Clark)“One thing that I want to encourage people to think about—and this is a concept that I share in the long game—is that, ultimately, if we’re all sort of suffering under the yoke of being pulled in too many directions, having too many things to do, we have to recognize that, inevitably, there are going to be times and there are going to be moments when that is necessary. About short term results, sometimes you gotta just make it happen. But it’s also true that if we want to be smart about long-term thinking, we can’t always be doing that.” (27:44 | Dorie Clark)Links
Connect with Dorie Clark:
https://www.dorieclark.com/thelonggame
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
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What we say and how we say it matters, whether we are speaking over the airwaves or in front of the boardroom. In this episode, Karin Reed shares how the lessons she learned as an award-winning broadcast journalist shape her approach to her work today in the business world—lessons that you can apply in your role as well. Whether she is pointing out potential pitfalls or highlighting how you can communicate to inspire, this episode offers a series of lightbulb moments that you can put into practice.
Karin’s top five lessons are:
Technology is fickle. Always have a backup plan when dealing with technology.Butterflies can be a good thing. Nervous energy can enhance performance.People move people. Focus on personal stories to create strong emotional connections.There can be unexpected blessings. Embrace the unexpected rewards that come from your work.There can be unexpected consequences. Deliver news with empathy, understanding its impact on others.By applying these lessons, listeners can become more empathetic leaders and communicators, adept at creating meaningful connections in every interaction. Let’s take these lessons to heart, recognizing the influence our words can have in shaping our relationships and environments.
Quotes
“There can be unexpected consequences of your message. I share this with you because I think it was valuable for me to learn it in my career as a reporter, and perhaps it’ll be valuable for all of you who are listening in your sphere of influence.” (12:19 | Karin Reed) “That was a hugely impactful day for me as a reporter because I realized these aren’t just stories. These aren’t just messages that we are delivering in a vacuum. All of the things that we say, whether you’re a reporter, whether you’re a leader delivering a tough message to your team, that has a direct impact on the people you’re delivering it to. And it made me a much more empathetic reporter after that day.” (13:33 | Karin Reed) “If you are hearing this message, and you are a leader, and you are charged with delivering some difficult news, always keep in mind that what you say impacts people. And you want to keep that in mind so whenever you deliver it, you can deliver it with empathy and you can be that empathetic leader. So, I wanted to share these lessons with you because hopefully you will find that they resonate in your world in some way.” (14:13 | Karin Reed)Links
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
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“If you want to be remarkable, you seek to make a difference,” says renowned author and chief evangelist Guy Kawasaki. In this episode, Karin Reed sits down with one of her professional heroes to delve into the essence of his latest book, “Think Remarkable.”
Kawasaki shares his innovative approach to writing, using AI tools like ChatGPT and Quillbot to enhance his process without compromising quality. His reflections on concise communication and authenticity in leadership offer valuable takeaways for engaging today’s audiences, particularly Gen Z.
The discussion also touches on his time at Apple and the inspiration behind the book’s title, a nod to the iconic “Think Different” campaign. Through themes of growth, grit, and grace, Kawasaki draws from interviews with over 200 remarkable individuals, sharing profound insights and memorable anecdotes from figures like Jane Goodall and Margaret Atwood.
Kawasaki’s career advice emphasizes the importance of reliability and embracing often overlooked tasks to become indispensable. Tune in to gain invaluable insights from Guy Kawasaki and learn how to transform your life and make the world a little (or a lot) better!
Quotes
“Some writers are suspicious or maybe they are jealous or maybe they are hostile to AI. That’s not the case for me at all. I believe my responsibility to the reader is to produce the best book I can. And whether that means using LLMs or not, is not the point. The point is to get the best book.” (05:59 | Guy Kawasaki) “My concept is that if you want to be remarkable, the way you do that is you make a difference. You make the world a better place… When you make a difference, then the natural outcome is people will think you are remarkable.” (17:48 | Guy Kawasaki)“You don’t catch 100% of the waves that you don’t turn and paddle for. So at some point, if you want to make a difference, you just have to turn and burn. In other words, you have to turn and start paddling and you have to actually do something as opposed to thinking about doing something (25:59 | Guy Kawasaki)“We spend too much time making the right decision. What we should do is make the decision right.” (26:19 | Guy Kawasaki)Links
Connect with Guy Kawasaki:
Order the book: https://amzn.to/4ckKsQE
TR landing page: https://guykawasaki.com/books/think-remarkable/
Guy's podcast: https://guykawasaki.com/remarkable-people/
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
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“Body language can be tricky when you are presenting. Sometimes, you just don't know what to do with yourself, but your body is always speaking,” says Karin Reed. “How do you ensure that your body is saying what you want it to?” she asks. In this episode, Karin explains the critical role of body language during presentations. She opens with a common dilemma faced by speakers—what to do with their hands—and shares insights from her coaching experiences. She challenges the advice of keeping hands at one’s sides, advocating instead for natural gestures that complement and reinforce the speaker’s message.
Karin emphasizes the importance of not overthinking gestures, noting that focusing on the presentation content will naturally lead to appropriate hand movements. She discusses how forced or unnatural gestures can distract the audience and detract from the message.
Discussing the use of space, Karin provides actionable advice on adapting gestures for different settings—from virtual presentations, where the camera frames the speaker, to larger, in-person stages. She explains how strategic movement can be used effectively to transition between topics, while recommending that speakers remain still during the delivery of critical points to emphasize their importance.
Karin also addresses how to interact with presentation slides effectively. She advises against the distracting use of laser pointers and suggests ways to integrate slides seamlessly into a presentation, ensuring they support rather than overshadow the spoken content.
Quotes
“You should not be thinking about what you’re doing with your hands. You should be thinking about what you’re saying because if you are thinking about your message, guess what? Your body is going to respond the way it's supposed to do in a supportive sort of way. Your gestures should be natural. They should not be contrived. They should not be planned out.” (02:16 | Karin Reed)“Allow yourself to be loose enough to gesture, to allow yourself to be supportive in your body language of what is coming out of your mouth. If you hold yourself stiff, it’s going to have an all over detrimental impact on the way you communicate because we communicate not just with our voice, not just with our words, we communicate with our entire bodies. And if you try to muzzle any aspect of that, it’s going to make you overall a less authentic communicator and then a less effective communicator as a whole.” (04:48 | Karin Reed) “The key to gesturing whenever you are presenting, whether it be on camera or off, is to allow yourself to do it. Allow yourself to gesture the way you would naturally, and that’s going to come across best for you and also be supportive of your verbal.” (05:29 | Karin Reed)Links
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
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“Storytelling with statistics is not difficult, but it is demanding,” says JD Schramm. The distinguished speaker, author, and educator, who has taught at top institutions like Stanford and Columbia, sits down with Karin Reed to tackle a critical challenge in leadership: presenting complex data without succumbing to the dreaded “Death by PowerPoint.”
Leaders often fall into common pitfalls when presenting data, such as focusing too much on the message they want to deliver rather than what the audience needs to hear. JD points out the importance of simplifying presentations and avoiding last-minute changes that can overwhelm the speaker. He advocates for using storytelling to make data more relatable and engaging, emphasizing the need to understand the data thoroughly before crafting a narrative around it.
Karin and JD explore various techniques to improve slide design, such as reducing unnecessary complexity and using clear, concise headlines. JD offers practical tips on making data visually appealing and easy to understand, such as preferring bar charts over pie charts for clearer comparisons. He also addresses the strategic use of animations and the importance of visually guiding the audience through the data.
This episode provides advice on how leaders can identify and craft their stories, beginning with understanding the audience’s needs and the desired outcomes of the presentation. JD stresses the significance of thorough preparation, likening the process to an iceberg where much of the work remains unseen but is crucial for a successful presentation.
Quotes
“One of the most persuasive elements is authenticity. If a leader can authentically represent their passion, their proposal, their vision, or their ideas, that oftentimes can be as effective or more effective than polished presentation skills. And that’s why I believe it is something that’s available to everyone.” (02:12 | JD Schramm)“What gets in the way of many leaders in their own mind is they’re so focused on the message they want to deliver that they don’t slow down to think about what’s the message this group needs to hear.” (03:46 | JD Schramm)“Once you understand the data, then you have to take that data and make it understandable to the rest of us in a very short amount of time. And that's where the storytelling adds huge value.” (05:48 | JD Schramm) “If we think of the analogy of the iceberg, 90% of it is underwater and only 10% shows up above the water surface. Well, when we think of preparing for a major presentation that’s going to have data stories inside of it, it’s going to have slides inside of it. The work that you do to get ready for the slides that you do show, that’s all below the surface. Those are the slides that are in the appendix. Those are the jokes I didn’t tell. Those are the elements that just didn’t fit in when they said your 10 minutes is now 5 minutes. But the iceberg that shows up above the surface, that’s what the audience sees. That’s what they ideally hear, see, and remember, and they take action on.” (13:40 | JD Schramm) “Storytelling with statistics is not difficult, but it is demanding. So what you ultimately will come up with may have taken you several meetings with your team or several rehearsals with your coach. And when you finally get it, you go, ‘That's all they need?’ But it’s the journey you need to go on to get that data story in a way that’s accessible to your team, to your audience, and actionable by them. So it’s not difficult, but it is demanding because you have to keep thinking, what’s the question under the question? What’s the action I want to see them take?” (25:34 | JD Schramm)Links
Connect with JD Schramm:
Subscribe to JD's free newsletter, communication matters at https://jdschramm.substack.com/
Explore his books and other services at https://jdschramm.com/
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
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"Being a fantastic speaker doesn't necessarily mean your audience will remember what you say," Karin Reed explains as she emphasizes the importance of structured communication to ensure the audience not only enjoys the presentation but also retains the key messages.
Karin shares an anecdote from a conference where a renowned, technically proficient keynote speaker delivered a polished but ultimately forgettable presentation. This serves to underline her primary point: the necessity of creating content that truly resonates and provides tangible value.
To help speakers enhance message retention, Karin introduces her “content framework” based on the “rule of three.” This method builds on the concept that people best understand and remember information when it is presented in simple, patterned groups of three. Given that audiences generally remember only a fraction of what they hear, distilling and organizing key messages using this structure is vital.
Listeners will discover how to apply the rule of three by formulating a core message and supporting it with three distinct points. Karin provides variations of this framework for different contexts, such as pitching an idea or navigating change, and she encourages listeners to adapt these techniques to their personal speaking style.
The episode also covers effective strategies for starting and ending talks. Karin suggests beginning with an “unexpected open” to captivate the audience immediately and concluding with an "emotional close" that leaves a strong, lasting impression and motivates action. Practical tips for implementing these techniques are provided throughout the discussion.
Quotes
“Your job is to deliver a message that's valuable and ensure that it is understood by your audience. You want to focus on the audience and their needs, not on how much you are entertaining them.” (04:44 | Karin Reed) “Are they understanding what you're saying? Are they getting it? Are you leaving them with something that is valuable?” (05:17 | Karin Reed)“It's really important that you simplify your message. Why? Because people are terrible listeners. All of us are really bad listeners. In fact, research indicates that right after we've had a conversation with somebody, right afterwards, we remember only half of what was said to us. We want them to remember the key takeaways.” (06:29 | Karin Reed) “If your goal is to have them take action, ask yourself, ‘What can I say to them that will make them say yes?’ Sometimes that means pulling the right emotional trigger—the thing that's going to motivate them to agree with what you are wanting them to do. Think about your audience, think about what they care about, and then make sure that your final words are playing to that emotional trigger. Make it relevant to them. Perhaps even consider using a ‘what's in it for me’ statement, because they'll certainly care about that. And then plan it out in advance because you want to finish strong. You don't want to finish with a whimper. (24:55 | Karin Reed)Links
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
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Jenn Chase, CMO at SAS, trades the ice rink for the boardroom as she opens up to Karin Reed on the Speaker Dynamics podcast about her unique path to leadership. Their discussion dives into the critical connection between leadership and communication, shedding light on how a leader’s message resonates within the confines of their team and echoes throughout the broader business landscape.
Jenn talks about SAS's leading role in data and AI, stressing the key role communication plays in linking the company's past achievements with its current projects and future goals. She discusses her twin responsibilities: boosting morale among her team and defining the company's image to the outside world.
Reflecting on her time as a competitive figure skater, Jenn explains how lessons in performance, practice, and handling feedback have shaped her approach to communication. She highlights that thorough preparation for presentations is her strategy against feeling like an imposter.
In their conversation, Karin and Jenn touch on the challenge of breaking down complex ideas for diverse audiences and ensuring messages are accessible and engaging across different cultures. Jenn talks about the importance of feedback in creating an environment where honest critique is valued and used to improve communication skills.
The episode is particularly insightful for leaders who are reluctant to step into the spotlight. Jenn encourages them to see speaking opportunities as chances to share their unique insights and stories. She points out that being well-prepared is key to speaking confidently and effectively, offering practical advice for anyone looking to leave a mark through their communication.
Quotes
"Preparation is an antidote to imposter syndrome." (06:28 | Jenn Chase)"To lead is to communicate. You can't take those two things apart. If you're going to be a leader, you have to be prepared to communicate." (08:33 | Jenn Chase)"The higher up you get, the more information is curated before it gets to you. And people might be afraid to give you feedback. And so I have worked really hard to cultivate an environment where people are comfortable giving me feedback." (18:18 | Jenn Chase) "You have to remember as a leader, whether you're a leader today or aspiring to be a leader, you have a perspective and people want to hear it. So you can make a difference by communicating and sharing your perspective." (23:10 | Jenn Chase)"Success is where preparation and opportunity meet, and you can create both of those. And you have to prepare." (24:34 | Jenn Chase)Links
Connect with Jenn Chase:
Website: sas.com
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
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In crucial conversations, we often become our own worst critics, caught between the voice that speaks out loud and another that judges us internally. This internal conflict can derail us in how we communicate. However, effective strategies exist to manage it. Emmy-winning broadcast journalist and communication thought leader Karin Reed highlights the critical role of being fully present during communication, especially in high-stakes situations. She discusses the complexities of internal and external distractions that can lead to what she calls “brain cramps.”
Citing Rick Perry's unforgettable debate lapse and Michael Bay's stage mishap at CES as examples, Karin explains how an overpowering inner critic can disrupt our flow of thoughts. A solution to this is a twofold approach: thorough preparation and the clever use of “presentation helpers” to maintain focus. Beyond the mechanics of speech, she advocates for the power of active listening. She introduces listeners to author Robert Bolton's concept of listening skills clusters–a method that enhances our engagement with the speaker and solidifies our presence, turning communication into a bridge rather than a barrier.
Listeners are invited to participate in a challenge Karin calls “Be Present Bingo,” a fun and meaningful exercise aimed to help you improve your ability to stay present, available for download here.
If you're looking to elevate your communication skills, tune in to this episode of Speaker Dynamics: Own The Room that offers actionable strategies to help you practice active listening and to stay present in every interaction.
Quotes
"We start judging everything that we are saying and doing in ways that may not even be apparent to our audience, but it could put us potentially at risk for a brain cramp. So a brain cramp is where you forget your train of thought, you forget something that you can't imagine ever forgetting. And it's because we have these two voices in our heads, and we're in a high-stakes situation, and we want to do well." (02:04 | Karin Reed) "Force yourself to stay in the moment, because if you start dividing your attention between what you think might be happening and what is happening in the moment, then you really are at risk of not doing a great job in how you're communicating, how you're presenting, how you're performing." (05:59 | Karin Reed) "Not being present for the entire question being asked can be a problem. Because first, you may not answer the actual question. Maybe your answer is the one that relates to the first half of the question, but doesn't relate to the second half of the question. Or you may miss out on uncovering a potential issue that was suggested in the second half of the question that you didn't hear because you were too busy thinking about how you were going to respond to the first half." (12:27 | Karin Reed)"One of my favorite things that I like to ask people to do whenever they are hearing a question is to actively listen. And active listening is an intentional skill. That's not something that most of us do innately. We hear things, which is a passive act, but actively listening, I guess passive act doesn't make sense, but we're passively hearing what is being said to us. Active listening is where you're really working to understand the meaning of what is being said, the message that is being said to you." (13:07 | Karin Reed) "Active listening does take work, and it certainly takes intention, but it can make all the difference in your interactions, both personally and professionally. It forces you to stay present and potentially avoid some verbal gaffes.” (19:56 | Karin Reed)Links
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
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Imagine you are leading a team where every member is as passionate about the company's impact as you are. Host Karin Reed discusses challenging traditional leadership narratives with guest Lisa Earle McLeod, a global expert on purpose-driven business and bestselling author of “Selling with Noble Purpose” and "Leading with Noble Purpose.” In this episode of Speaker Dynamics: Own the Room, they explore the transformative power of leading with a noble purpose, where Lisa talks about how important it is for leaders to tell “meaning stories” not just “money stories.”
Lisa explains the concept of a noble purpose – a motivating factor for companies to enhance their customers' lives beyond mere transactions. This episode peels back the layers on why focusing solely on metrics misses the mark if it doesn't directly contribute to customer well-being.
Listeners will gain an insider's look into how leaders can effectively embody and communicate this noble purpose by using real-life stories to incorporate a sense of empathy and passion within their teams. The discussion reveals how creating a narrative centered around the organization's customer impact not only sets a company apart in the marketplace but also skyrockets employee engagement.
For anyone leading a team or looking to make a genuine difference through their work, this episode promises actionable strategies, invaluable insights, and a compelling reason to rethink what truly motivates us. Discover how to turn your organization's focus outward, creating a culture where making money and making a difference go hand in hand.
Quotes“Noble purpose doesn't mean tolerating low performance. It means setting the bar very high because the work we do here actually matters.” (25:30 | Lisa McLeod)“You don't have to choose between making money and making a difference. If customers are buying from you, what you're doing is helping them. And you don't need to buy into this false dichotomy that noble purpose is for the social workers and surgeons of the world. You don't have to choose between making money and making a difference. You deserve both. You can have both. And we all deserve that.” (26:05 | Lisa McLeod) “One of the things that leaders often get accused of is talking out of both sides of their mouths. And leaders are afraid if they talk about the meaning and significance of the business, that people will think they don't care about the money. So you got to take that off the table. You have to say, I care about making a difference to our customers. I care about you all. And I also need to care about the money. And so when I talk about purpose and noble purpose and making a difference, that doesn't mean that I don't care about the money. If the money doesn't work, we don't have jobs. And oh, by the way, humans are complex. We can care about more than one thing at a time.” (22:57 | Lisa McLeod)LinksConnect with Lisa Earle McLeod:
Website: http://www.mcleodandmore.com/
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
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Navigating the intricacies of eye contact is akin to unlocking a hidden language of trust and connection in the realm of communication. Mastering the art of eye contact is a skill that transcends the boundaries of in-person, virtual, and hybrid communication. As we navigate these diverse settings, the significance of authentic eye contact becomes increasingly apparent. Karin Reed, a seasoned communication expert, illuminates the complexities of this essential aspect of human interaction, offering profound insights into its nuances and impact.
In today's dynamic communication landscape, the challenge lies not only in maintaining eye contact but also in ensuring its authenticity across various platforms. Karin's exploration of virtual eye contact reveals the delicate balance required to engage both physical and virtual audiences effectively. It's about more than just staring at a camera lens; it's about forging genuine connections that bridge the digital divide.
Dispelling myths surrounding artificial eye contact techniques, Karin encourages speakers to embrace vulnerability and authenticity in face-to-face encounters. Through genuine eye contact, speakers can cultivate an atmosphere of trust and engagement, captivating their audience on a deeper level.
Navigating hybrid communication environments presents unique challenges, but Karin offers innovative solutions to bridge the gap between physical and virtual participants. Her insights challenge us to rethink traditional notions of eye contact, empowering speakers to create inclusive and impactful experiences for all listeners.
At its core, this episode serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of authentic connection. Karin inspires us to embrace the language of eye contact as a means of fostering trust, empathy, and understanding in our interactions, both on and off the screen.
Quotes
“The basic rule is if you are speaking, and you want to speak in an influential way, and to make it as comfortable for them to receive your message, you want to be looking primarily at the camera lens.” (4:18 | Karin Reed) “The camera is the conduit to your conversation partner and you need to treat it accordingly.” (7:08 | Karin Reed)“Your slides are visual aids. They're not the presentation. They are aids. So by taking that slide away, then you become the primary conduit of information. And that means you're looking at the camera lens. So if your slides are up and you want to talk to the slides, look at the slides, totally fine. If your slides are not helping you impart information, take it away and allow yourself to become the primary messenger once again.” (11:48 | Karin Reed)“Eye contact is essential to building trust, but it has to be authentic. So that means if you are in person, pick out people throughout the room to make genuine connection with. If you are virtual, you wanna make sure that you look at that camera when you want to speak with impact. And if you're hybrid, well, you gotta do both.” (24:10 | Karin Reed)Links
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
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"It was a career defining moment...but not in a good way." Host Karin Reed shares her personal experience of a disastrous presentation and reveals the crucial lesson she learned: protecting your face is essential for a successful presentation.
As conference season approaches and listeners may be preparing for career-defining opportunities, Karin shares her expertise to help you make the most of these big moments. She introduces a powerful metric: for every minute of presentation, dedicate an hour to preparation. This may sound daunting, but it ensures you deliver your best performance and captivate your audience.
Karin delves into the critical step of analyzing your audience. She highlights the curse of knowledge, where we assume our audience knows what we know. By understanding your audience's background, expertise, and blind spots, you can tailor your content to resonate with them, making it relevant and engaging. To support listeners, Karin has created a bonus worksheet to help with audience analysis. You can download this resource for free at www.speakerdynamics.com/bonuscontent.
Karin also shares practical tips on presentation delivery. Whether you prefer a full script, bullet points, or a hybrid approach, she encourages finding a method that allows you to sound authentic and deliver your message with conviction. She also explores the importance of managing the presentation environment, from utilizing confidence monitors to controlling your content.
Protect your face by investing time in preparation, understanding your audience, and controlling the environment, you can ensure your career-defining moments are positive and impactful.
Quotes
“If you have a 20 minute presentation that you're delivering, you want to devote 20 hours to preparing for it. So that means for every one minute of presentation, you should allot one hour of prep time. And before those of you in the audience are saying, there's no way we can do that, Karin, I don't expect you to do it for every presentation that you do. But if you have a high stakes presentation, that career defining moment, I would highly, highly recommend that you do put that time in, in advance.” (5:29 | Karin Reed) “Whenever I'm thinking about putting together any sort of piece, I always try to think about, okay, who is in my audience? You know, what do they care about? What is valuable to them? Because if they don't care about it, they're not going to listen.” (7:54 | Karin Reed) “Steal a practice from the theater world, which is where they freeze the show. So the reason why you freeze the show is that you want to give the actors an opportunity to really practice it and rehearse it well. You know, so when you freeze a show, it means that no more changes can occur. So I want you to think about how you can freeze your presentation, you know, set a deadline, say, okay, on this day, whether it's two days before the event, whatever works for you, say, we're going to freeze this right now, there can be no more changes.” (19:42 | Karin Reed)“The value of good content will be lost if you are not comfortable delivering it.” (20:45 | Karin Reed)Links
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
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Does the thought of being suddenly called upon to speak in a meeting or standing up to explain something to a large group send your heart racing and palms sweating? You're not alone. This episode of Speaker Dynamics - Own The Room dives deep into the art of mastering those pulse-pounding moments, transforming them from sources of anxiety into opportunities for impactful communication. Emmy-winning journalist Karin Reed sits down with Matt Abrahams, author of "Think Faster, Talk Smarter," to unravel the secrets of spontaneous speaking.Karin and Matt dissect the essentials of thriving in unscripted scenarios: from the critical need for mental preparation to adopting a mindset that views these opportunities as a stage for authenticity rather than a test of perfection. Matt, drawing from his wealth of experience and the practical advice in his book, shares invaluable strategies that anyone can use to communicate more effectively on the fly.
This episode is packed with actionable advice for professionals eager to enhance their communication skills, whether in high-stakes environments or day-to-day interactions. By adopting these strategies, listeners will learn to navigate spontaneous speaking moments with greater confidence and authenticity.
Tune in for a transformative exploration of spontaneous speaking with Karin Reed and Matt Abrahams, and make sure to check out the bonus episode on public speaking anxiety available on the Speaker Dynamics website for even deeper insights into conquering communication challenges.
Links:
Connect with Matt Abrahams:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maabrahams
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThinkFastTalkSmart
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tftsthepod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkfasttalksmart/
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Bonus Content: www.speakerdynamics.com/bonuscontent
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
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Ever wondered why some speakers captivate the room, holding every gaze, commanding attention effortlessly whether they're in person or on a screen? What if you could unlock that secret for yourself? Welcome to the inaugural episode of "Speaker Dynamics - Own the Room," where your host, Karin Reed, an Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist, four-time author, and renowned communication expert, unveils the essence of commanding communication. With a rich background in media and a passion for teaching, Karin is on a mission to help you master the art of effective communication in every setting.
In this episode, Karin shares her inspiring journey from broadcast journalism to becoming a sought-after communication coach. It all began with a pivotal request from a C-level executive seeking to improve her on-camera presence. This encounter sparked the creation of a comprehensive curriculum aimed not just at on-camera communication but at empowering individuals across all communication platforms. Karin delves into the unique challenges of speaking through a camera, highlighting the crucial differences from in-person interactions, including the lack of audience feedback, the discomfort of seeing oneself on screen, and the unrealistic pressure for perfection.
With a promise to offer real-world advice and actionable tips, Karin sets the foundation for what listeners can expect: a treasure trove of insights into becoming more authentic and effective communicators. She emphasizes that intelligence doesn't equate to on-camera charisma and that true communication power lies in authenticity. This episode is a call to action for anyone looking to elevate their communication skills, from executives striving to lead with impact to teams seeking to enhance their collective influence. Karin's message is clear: authentic communication is the key to owning the room, regardless of the medium.
Quotes:
“Every leader now needs to be a master of communication across all platforms. And that's what this podcast is all about. Because it's not just about on-camera communication, it's just not about virtual communication. It's not just about in-person communication, whether that be in front of a boardroom or up on stage. It's about how to be impactful, how to have influence in the room whether that is a physical room or a virtual one.” (9:12 | Karin Reed) “Being good on camera is not a reflection of your intelligence or lack thereof.” (10:11| Karin Reed) “The camera offers no feedback. So whenever you are talking to people face to face, when you're presenting in a room where everybody's sharing the same air, Typically, you are surveying the landscape and trying to see how your message is being greeted. And you know, maybe somebody is nodding along, maybe somebody is nodding off, but you change your delivery based upon that feedback that you're receiving. But if you are talking to a camera, that camera offers no feedback and it creates this barrier to how effective you are when you communicate.” (11:48 | Karin Reed)“When we perform, we want to be perfect. And the harder we try to be perfect, what happens? Well, the more difficult that becomes. And here's the thing. Perfection is not what makes you a great communicator, does not make you a great speaker. What makes you a great communicator, what makes you a great speaker, whether it's on camera or off, is authenticity.” (14:02 | Karin Reed)Links
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
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Have you ever been captivated by a great speaker and wondered how they make it look so effortless? Trust me, while it may look effortless, it likely took a lot of effort to get there. How do I know? Because I’ve helped thousands of coaching clients take their speaking skills from bland to “bravo!”, and I’m ready to help you too. In this twice monthly podcast, I’ll teach you how to deliver a message with impact – whether you are pitching an idea to investors, charging up your team at sales kickoff, or seeking to influence a decision by your board. In 30 minutes or less, you’ll hear actionable tips from me and my expert guests on how to close that deal, inspire your team to excellence, and own any room.
