Speaking Secret 4: You’ll Fail Your Way To Success
Communicating is a fundamental survival skill, the first one a baby will exhibit once out of his mother’s womb. He will cry out loud to let her know he is alive and to indicate that the support system on which he used to rely has been dangerously disrupted. He will articulate his need for help […]
How to Tell Stories that Stick
After 30 years as a conference interpreter, making sense of speakers becomes second nature. It is easy to see what works and what doesn’t in public speaking. Too many presenters adhere to a predictable presentation routine that goes like this: open with a busy overview slide cover every item in orderly fashion finish with a […]
Speaking Secret 1: Never Stop Listening
The first insight in this series of Public Speaking Secrets honors the courage of speakers in coming on-stage despite their shortcomings and letting themselves be perceived as they are. It is a reminder from fellow presenters (and interpreters) who understand that the key to greatness is to adapt and make it human, not perfect. Conference […]
My stint as a medical interpreter
I am ushered through a backdoor by a Korean who calls himself Francisco and who happens to speak near-perfect English, Spanish and Portuguese. He is a regular and quickly shows me around. I sign myself in and stand at a busy intersection of narrow corridors, on occasion leaning out of the way to dodge a […]