The Reluctant Speakers Club - Latest Comments

Re: How to craft stories international audiences will love

Digital Marketing Pro — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 06:23:32 -0000

very well Expalained and was very helpful.thanks

Re: Why more isn’t better when you speak!

Presentation Skills — Thu, 09 May 2019 03:06:09 -0000

Great, useful tips!

Re: Once upon a brain: Science based business storytelling secrets revealed – Podcast 6

Eamonn O'brien — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 13:07:41 -0000

Hi Alan - Yes, Dr Lynda Shaw and I are planning a series of masterclasses on science based strategies for leaders who want to bring their storytelling skills to a whole new level. Just send me your contact details via eobrien@thersc.ie and I'll let you know about these - as and when they're scheduled.

Re: Once upon a brain: Science based business storytelling secrets revealed – Podcast 6

Alan Hill — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 10:52:31 -0000

Just briliant! I TOTALLY get this. Can someone recommend a good workshop or a training session that deals with this topic?

Re: How Instinct Saved Des’s Life (And What Every Storyteller Needs to Know About Gut Reactions)

Eamonn O'brien — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 13:38:01 -0000

Thanks Lorna. You're 100% right. When we hear stories that interest us like this we can't help but get 'absorbed by' and then mentally & physically feel 'involved' in what happened. And because this makes the story feel real to us, we are hard-wired to draw truths from it and compare & connect these with other experiences that these bring to mind. And then - and this is the magic bit - new/revised memories form. Fascinating stuff really.

Re: How Instinct Saved Des’s Life (And What Every Storyteller Needs to Know About Gut Reactions)

Lorna Sixsmith — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 13:23:15 -0000

They are indeed, especially when they make us empathise with the storyteller, feeling similar emotions.

Re: How Instinct Saved Des’s Life (And What Every Storyteller Needs to Know About Gut Reactions)

Eamonn O'brien — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 08:26:33 -0000

Fascinating. I never knew that Dee...But can understand why they're called that.

Re: How Instinct Saved Des’s Life (And What Every Storyteller Needs to Know About Gut Reactions)

Dee Sewell — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 07:16:30 -0000

Incidentally, loose branches that dangle from trees are known as 'widow makers' in the trade. Though more a tree that was coming down, your story is an example of why they got that name.

Re: How Instinct Saved Des’s Life (And What Every Storyteller Needs to Know About Gut Reactions)

Eamonn O'brien — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 06:45:31 -0000

You're right Dee. That's exactly what I have been doing ever since - both at the specific spot where Des nearly came a cropper and elsewhere. And as he said to me afterwards "You always think these things only happen to others until they happen to you or someone you know". True that! And yes, stories are the ultimate way of sharing our humanity and the secret to being a better speaker. Delighted you liked the post. Cheers, Eamonn

Re: How Instinct Saved Des’s Life (And What Every Storyteller Needs to Know About Gut Reactions)

Dee Sewell — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 06:35:14 -0000

It's also quite likely you'll be looking at tree angles for the foreseeable future too! Stories make us human, which I've found helps when I speak in public. They can also help us relax into a topic, even if we are on the edge of our seats wondering what happens next. A good tale, thanks Eamon.

Re: Why You Never Want Audiences to Admire Your Speaking Performances

John Avina — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 14:49:31 -0000

I see a lot of speakers who are presenting on some "technical" topic, and they add a lot of parenthetical comments, I think, as a method of trying to inject a personal element to their talk.

(I don't watch Law and Order anymore, but they used to do this in that show and maybe still do. Someone makes a sarcastic comment and immediately walks away. Nobody does this in real life.)

I find these talks with one-line editorial comments as trite (as I have seen so many of them) and awful to watch. I think you want to make a editorial statements, make them in a paragraph or series of paragraphs, but not as one line parenthetical asides that are supposed to be amusing.

So when you write about being personal, I think it matters just how you intend to carry that out. One line asides don't do the job.

Re: Why Storytelling is a Secret to Awesome Business Networking Results

JMD — Fri, 11 May 2018 08:09:53 -0000

Thank you..good suggestions. Enjoy!

Re: Why Storytelling is a Secret to Awesome Business Networking Results

Eamonn O'brien — Fri, 11 May 2018 04:40:43 -0000

Thanks JMD. I'm so pleased you liked the post and interview. And I'd suggest 2 things from your question: a) If you're networking with someone else, see if you can ask questions that might encourage that person to tell you stories ahead of you telling your own stories first (because this will typically help the other person feel more at ease and engaged in your presence, since you're showing clear interest in them, and gives you personal insights into the person you're networking too), and b) If you're doing an intro about yourself to a group, see if you can share short, personal stories that share a valuable lesson that's meaningful for that specific audience. Remember, the more meaning others take from your stories the more likely they are to heed, remember, share and act upon them.

Re: Why Storytelling is a Secret to Awesome Business Networking Results

JMD — Thu, 10 May 2018 09:13:24 -0000

Great message. I wonder what story to tell to break the ice or for intro at a networking meeting.? Takes some thought.

Re: Why Finding a Great Place to Write Can Lead to More Inspiring Speeches

Eamonn O'brien — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 08:23:57 -0000

My pleasure. Creating or finding a space where you can give of your best is a great plan - both for you and those who hear you.

Re: Why Finding a Great Place to Write Can Lead to More Inspiring Speeches

JMD — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 08:13:07 -0000

I lived on Long Island for one year and went to the beach everyday I could with pad and pen. Felt I did some of my most creative writing there. Today I live on a beautiful wooded property and intend to create a space in nature. and I enjoy a cafe, something about the buzz of conversation, a good cup of coffee gets the juices going. Thanks for the reminder.

Re: Video Marketing Tips: How to Achieve a More Personal Connection on Camera – Podcast 87

PX — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 10:12:23 -0000

Really enjoyed all the "itis", must admit I have experienced them all at one point or another! Great piece, thanks for sharing. Will revert to it to prep colleagues for on camera interviews.
- Hannah on behalf of PX

Re: Video Marketing Tips: How to Achieve a More Personal Connection on Camera – Podcast 87

Boberdoo — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 23:21:25 -0000

Amazing.. Your Article was simply Good.. Great Research for sure and you have a awesome resource Page!

Re: Why You Never Want Audiences to Admire Your Speaking Performances

Eamonn O'brien — Mon, 28 Aug 2017 08:00:33 -0000

Thanks Pam. I'm so pleased that the post struck such a chord with you. As you know, connection is key. Connection and conversation beat 'doing a performance' every time.

Re: Why You Never Want Audiences to Admire Your Speaking Performances

Pam Terry — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 09:51:11 -0000

Yes, I totally agree! As a public speaking coach myself, I teach speakers to not be afraid if your flaws show as the audience will be able to relate!! Well said, Eamonn!!

Re: How to make your accent work for you when you make a speech

Eamonn O'brien — Thu, 25 May 2017 08:53:51 -0000

Thanks Jill, delighted you liked them. Always best to dance with the one you brought!

Re: How to make your accent work for you when you make a speech

Jill Holtz — Thu, 25 May 2017 08:46:55 -0000

Very useful post Eamonn, as a person with an "accent" love your 3 golden rules

Re: Speakers: Why Your Relationships Need to be Up Close and Personal – Podcast 73

Petar @ TalkBook — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 10:47:25 -0000

Great article / podcast Eamonn! There are countless ways how to connect with the audience and make relationship with them while on the stage - but there is also an after-event communication which is currently underutilized. Audience will either react while the presentation is in the progress or they will not react at all. Thank you for sharing the knowledge!

Re: Drop Details and Tell Stories to Give Memorable Speeches

Carine Beau — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 02:59:01 -0000

True. It s also a good incentive to keep a subject fresh for the speaker.

Re: Drop Details and Tell Stories to Give Memorable Speeches

eamonnobrien — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 09:02:51 -0000

Thanks Carine - So pleased you liked it.