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Public Speaking for Leaders

Public Speaking for Leaders

By Colin Ryan

You are a LEADER - whether you head a team or a business, provide advice, offer expertise, have a message you're passionate about, or you're a future leader-to-be! Strong communication & public speaking skills benefit every aspect of your work with people: giving presentations, pitching clients, nailing interviews, telling stories, using humor and recruiting others to your grand, audacious vision. Colin Ryan, a 10+ year comedic financial speaker & executive communication coach, shows you how to build your confidence, presence and influence, so you can communicate like the leader you are.
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6 Ways to Be a Better Listener (and Why it Matters)

Public Speaking for LeadersFeb 28, 2024

00:00
10:02
6 Ways to Be a Better Listener (and Why it Matters)
Feb 28, 202410:02
A Fun Way to Boost Your Confidence QUICKLY

A Fun Way to Boost Your Confidence QUICKLY

For me, doing stand-up comedy 10 years was a great tool to be a better communicator. And it also taught me a trick that's great for you to help boost your confidence.

I call it "open mic-ing." Whether the thing that's intimidating you is public speaking, speaking up in meetings, raising your profile, or recording yourself on video to send with emails, this trick will help you get more comfortable FAST!

This will help you say yes to more speaking opportunities, even when it feels scary. And speed up your progress using a trick I call "open mic-ing" as a way to practice and improve.

⁠I still use this trick to get confident at new things (like posting videos on social media), because I still struggle with perfectionism and self-doubt, and I always will. So you're not alone! And why should that stop you from reaching your goals and amplifying your voice? It shouldn't!

Feb 01, 202411:22
Did You Know Martin Luther King Jr. Had Depression?
Jan 15, 202408:10
2024 Message - Your Life Is Full of Stories

2024 Message - Your Life Is Full of Stories

I've loved movies since I was a kid, and loved recapping them others who haven't seen them yet. It's where I first learned how to be a storyteller!

And how I learned 2 keys to telling good stories: know your audience and pick one scene not the whole thing!

Stories engage your audience because you're being real with them and we all love stories. But stories also engage you in what you're saying because you're no longer being "business-y" or overly polished - you're just being yourself and sharing something you're passionate about!

Jan 04, 202409:31
Bestselling Author Diana Kander Discusses "Go Big Or Go Home" on the Art of Successful Presenting and Pitching

Bestselling Author Diana Kander Discusses "Go Big Or Go Home" on the Art of Successful Presenting and Pitching

From Colin -- I've been a fan of Diana Kander ever since I read All In Startup back in 2014. Her latest book is all about pitching and presenting, and she actually charts out the proven flow of a pitch that is surprising, memorable and gets you the deal. This book taps into so many thing I consult with leaders on, I had to have her on to share Diana and her book with you!


---------Notes:


~5:00 The Mug Moment!


~7:00 The Forgetting Curve “Our research revealed that within an hour the audience forgets 50% of what you said, within a week they forget 90%. If you want them to remember more than 10% (which might not even be the 10% you want them to remember) you have to spike their emotions during the presentation.”


~21:00 The importance of being a lifelong learner… “Think of something you’re awesome at, and I challenge you to go read a book on it and not 5 things you can be doing even better. That’s how we grow. As soon as you’re satisfied, you start stagnating.”


~24:00 Colin and Diana talk about our initial exploratory/sales calls, and what we’ve both learned about how most people make this pitch in the wrong order.


~26:00 mark, there's a really cool little moment where Diana clearly thinks of something she wants to say and she swallows it to keep listening!! All kinds of meta.


~28:00 Diana offers YOU the listener, unprompted, a special surprise gift!


You can find Go Big Or Go Home, by Diana Kander and Tucker Trotter, ⁠on Amazon⁠ and at ⁠DianaKander.com⁠.


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Colin Ryan is a humorous financial speaker who partners with universities and businesses to help more people manage money and achieve financial success.


More about Colin at: https://www.colinryanspeaks.com


Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/colinryanspeaks

Apr 12, 202332:04
What To Say In The First 30 Seconds Of Every Pitch or Presentation

What To Say In The First 30 Seconds Of Every Pitch or Presentation

The first 30 seconds of your speech are the only chance you have to truly grab and maintain your audience's attention.

This is based on a concept by Diana Kander and Tucker Trotter's concept "The Golden Window."

Which they write about in the upcoming book Go Big Or Go Home.

I'm always committed to showing you EXACTLY what to say, so I'll give you a perfect example: how we recently made an investor pitch for a trash/recycling container ENGAGING and FUNNY.


If we can do that on that dry a topic, think how good we can make your next pitch! Go to SpeakNextWeek.com for more information.

Mar 29, 202308:52
Shari Alyse Unpacks Two TEDx Talks AND How You Can Get Media Appearances
Feb 22, 202345:15
Inspire Your Listener to TAKE ACTION with this Trick from the Dentist
Feb 15, 202309:17
Play the MEMOIR GAME To Improve Listening Skills

Play the MEMOIR GAME To Improve Listening Skills

Think about the bad listeners in your life. Picturing them? **If you can't picture one, it's you ;)

Now think about the good listeners in your life. They have your respect, your appreciation, your trust.

They have influence! They lead through their ability to listen!

Here is a fun way to be one of those influential listeners in someone else's life.

There is no better feeling than when someone takes the time to truly listen to us.


Feb 10, 202313:42
An Exercise That Makes A Scary Audience Less Scary

An Exercise That Makes A Scary Audience Less Scary

I get it - public speaking is uncomfortable.


But have you ever turned down speaking opportunities you know would be good for you to take?


It might be because you've put that audience on a pedestal.


No matter how impressive or intimidating the people in your audience are, they shouldn't be on a pedestal.


They don't belong there!


Here is: a funny story about a shirt that doesn't fit, and a great exercise to calm your nerves and speak more effectively.

Jan 18, 202311:08
Your Inner Critic is Just a HECKLER in Your Head

Your Inner Critic is Just a HECKLER in Your Head

Happy new year!


Welcome to hustle month, where we refocus on getting our message out there and showing up in-person and online for our people.


Is there something you want to share in a talk or post on social media but your inner critic / perfectionist / impostor is getting in your way?

I was coaching a comedian turned speaker who is create his story-rich, humorous mental health keynote, when we came up with this amazing this amazing mental trick for dealing with a negative self-talk.

He has so many great stories they don't all fit in his keynote, but that little voice in his head is telling him not to share the extra stories with the world via social media in case they aren't "perfect yet."

I've been there! Have you? If you can you relate (or know someone who will), then try this!

Jan 04, 202305:12
This Simple Trick Will Instantly Make You More ENGAGING

This Simple Trick Will Instantly Make You More ENGAGING

When I did a training for 13 peer financial counselors (students who provide financial counseling through one-on-one sessions and workshop presentations), I sent them a pre-training survey and almost every single student shared some version of "ENGAGING the audience is my biggest public speaking challenge right now."

Here's a great way to do it - use humor.

It'll engage your listeners.

It'll enhance your message.

And it's so much easier than you think!

Here is a simple trick to weave humor into your conversation and your presentations.... without sounding forced at all.

Enjoy!

Dec 22, 202204:22
How to Nail Your Pitch by Making an EMOTIONAL Connection
Dec 14, 202212:09
Two Communication Life Lessons From My Most Unforgettable Mentor
Dec 06, 202209:46
From Stage Fright to Stage Fearless - Coach Michele Ogston's Story

From Stage Fright to Stage Fearless - Coach Michele Ogston's Story

What if you dreamed of speaking in front of people, but were terrified of public speaking?

What if you had a vision of impact, a powerful message to share and a business ready to scale, but you were blocked by your dread at facing an audience?

When I met Michele several years ago, she was courageously told me of the extent this fear was interfering with her career. 

Believe it or not, her voice shook so badly she struggled to speak up even in a Zoom meeting!

With that as our starting point, we could only go up!

After working with Michele and designing a plan for Michele to turn this key weakness into a key strength, she did the hard work and the results are truly astounding!

Michele is the founder of Cloud 9 Life Coaching. She is a Certified Intuitive Relationship Coach & Spiritual Mentor, and thanks to her hard work, she is now a confident, powerful and in-demand public speaker at conferences across the country.

Public speaking nervousness, fear of rejection, impostor syndrome, fear of failure... all aspiring speakers and leaders wrestle with these. Which is why I'm lucky to have Michele share with you exactly what she did to go from stage fright to stage fearless.


***We geek out on Michele's coaching work till minute 13, and that's where her incredible public speaking story starts!***


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Would you like to fix your biggest public speaking barrier in one hour? Go to www.speaknextweek.com, answer a few questions, and we'll get you moving forward with excitement, confidence, and a real strategy to make public speaking not only your friend, but your secret weapon for growing your career, business, and client list.

Nov 22, 202243:27
How to Share a Mistake and Seem MORE Confident
Nov 03, 202210:29
Pro Speaker Joe Fingerhut Gets 1,000,000 People To Ask "How Can I?"
Sep 28, 202232:11
How To Answer Questions When You DON'T Know the Answer

How To Answer Questions When You DON'T Know the Answer

Here is an incredibly valuable communication lesson for content experts and leaders.... that I learned from my hilarious and sarcastic my mother-in-law!, her Alexa, and Kevin Costner.

Sep 14, 202208:14
My Elevator Pitch Should Be LESS Impressive??? What?!

My Elevator Pitch Should Be LESS Impressive??? What?!

"Most elevator pitches are designed to impress, and they fail to intrigue."


I made that one up on the spot and I'm proud of it!


When you let go of "saying the right things" and "what I should sound like" you open up all kinds of fun and interesting lanes to engage and hook your funder or listener in a whole new way.


Here is a surprising story I helped a client create to sell her brand in a totally unique way.

Sep 07, 202209:07
Write A Book Without Writing A Word??? (with Michael Delon)

Write A Book Without Writing A Word??? (with Michael Delon)

"Simon Sinek doesn’t make money selling his book. Simon makes money selling his ideas through his books and his speeches. It's his books that get him invited on stages. And those stages are where he makes all of his money." - Michael Delon

------------

Publisher and credibility marketing expert Michael Delon shares with you how to create your book, get get booked on more stages and gain more clients.

Michael Delon is the founder of Paperback Expert.

In this interview we talk about:

  • His journey out of “prison” aka a job where he sold services and made no sales to his dream job helping others make an impact.
  • The role of a book in building your brand as a speaker, and getting more speaking opportunities.
  • The importance of not just marketing, but CREDIBILITY marketing.
  • The amazing story of how he convinced a personal injury attorney to bring his baseball glove into his next TV interview, and helped him eventually write his bestseller book.

At the end of the day, Michael’s main message in this conversation is this: “Be yourself.” It’s the most simple and also the most difficult thing to do, and always a reminder we need to hear, especially from successful and genuine experts just like Michael.

You can find out more about Michael at: www.paperbackexpert.com

Aug 04, 202228:37
Snag One of These Storytelling Tricks that Pixar Swears By

Snag One of These Storytelling Tricks that Pixar Swears By

No one tells stories better than Pixar! Wall-E. Up. Toy Story. Ratatouille. Pixar's stories connect us with at every age, they move us to laughter, tears, and we can still picture them years later.


As a presenter, a leader, an educator, telling stories is an incredible way to create trust, connection, and have your message remembered. It's also a lot of fun, and a totally learnable skill!


I was inspired by this article "22 Rules of Storytelling Pixar Follows in their Movies" and so today I'm breaking down 11 actionable storytelling tips, using examples from some of the most memorable and meaningful movies Pixar has made.


Do you have a storytelling tip you'd love to share with our audience? Send it to info@colinryanspeaks.com or leave it as a voicemail here.

Jun 22, 202219:13
How To Read Your Audience's Minds & Say Exactly What They Hope You'll Say

How To Read Your Audience's Minds & Say Exactly What They Hope You'll Say

In your next presentation, pitch, or meeting with prospective clients, do THIS and you'll know exactly what to say to earn your audience's trust and their business.

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Want to assess your executive presence skills right now AND get proven tips on how to communicate powerfully? Go to 15feet.com for free resources.

If you want to nail an upcoming public speaking opportunity, craft your signature story, turn boring content into brilliance, master your authentic sense of humor, become a better listener, and learn to communicate with the confidence and authenticity others can’t help but follow, email us at info@colinryanspeaks.com for free, personalized advice.

Jun 15, 202208:59
Your Speaking Confidence Skyrockets When You Identify This
May 25, 202204:00
How We Streamlined Ryan's Pitch From SIX Minutes to ONE Minute (with Ryan Dunphy)

How We Streamlined Ryan's Pitch From SIX Minutes to ONE Minute (with Ryan Dunphy)

Clarity and certainty are essential when you are packaging your talk and positioning yourself as a thought-leader!

This is also key to persuading your audience to believe in the strength and value of your message.

"Evidence shows people will remember one thing you say. When you speak for an hour, it's going to be something different for each person. But when you speak for a minute, you get to decide what that one thing is."

My guest is Ryan Dunphy -- the founder of the Adventurous Entrepreneurs Community. Ryan is incredibly passionate about his subject and about speaking to his audience. This can create the challenge of condensing his message into something more bite-sized when he wants to share his passion about being a speaker.

Ryan is one of the most supportive people I've ever met. So today I'm supporting him! And you in the process!

This live demo of my pitch coaching session with Ryan will show you how to use a simple 4-step framework to share your message quickly, powerfully, and persuasively. This story format allows you to teach without being preachy, serve without sounding salesy, and tell one memorable story that supports, and flows clearly into, your main idea.

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If you would like to use this story framework to craft or strengthen your message, here are free resources to get you started: www.15feet.com.

Jun 10, 202135:52
Ted Lasso and Inspiring Your Audience to Believe
May 26, 202106:40
An Honest Conversation about Mental Health (with Christine O'Neill)
May 12, 202126:23
Reminder -- Stories That are Hard to Tell Are Stories They NEED To Hear
May 05, 202106:54
How to Manage Nervousness While Public Speaking
Apr 28, 202111:36
How to Go from Workshop Presenter to Keynote Speaker
Apr 21, 202109:25
The 3 Stories Your Presentation Must Have
Apr 14, 202109:35
Do You Know Who Your TWO Audiences Are?
Apr 07, 202109:47
Become a Better Speaker By Learning How to PAUSE

Become a Better Speaker By Learning How to PAUSE

Show Notes: https://www.colinryanspeaks.com/the-power-of-silence-when-presenting/


Let's explore using pauses as a technique in your presentations, inspired by a lesson I learned IN FRONT OF 1,000 people at a Moth storytelling performance.

I had the opportunity to perform my story for a very large crowd, in a beautiful theatre, amidst a roster of talented storytellers and a celebrity host. There’s a tremendous amount of pressure to do well.

Put another way, there’s a tremendous amount of pressure not to mess it up.

You’re speaking in front of a lot people, and it’s black-box theater lighting. The audience is completely dark, just a faceless energy out there somewhere. You’re standing in the middle of a 100 feet wide stage, staring into blinding spotlights, and pretending you haven't been thinking about this moment this for weeks.

I launch into my story, and soon enough I’m in the rhythm of it. I’ve crafted every word, memorized every line and practiced it over and over again. Two thirds of the way through, my mind goes completely blank...


What’s the #1 thing you want speaking to add to your life? Let’s make a plan on how you’ll get there. Schedule a free 15-minute No-Sales-Pitch call with Colin or start with our free speaking resources.

Feb 24, 202110:56
How to Promote Yourself to Speaker ASAP (with Lindsey Lathrop)

How to Promote Yourself to Speaker ASAP (with Lindsey Lathrop)

Lindsey Lathrop is a certified business & negotiation coach, and a Top 100 Global Facilitator with Google’s #IAmRemarkable Initiative.

Lindsey is not only my wife and favorite person in the world, she has also been my personal negotiation coach throughout my speaking career, and someone who instinctively and tirelessly adds value to the people around her.

In this conversation we talk about:

· How Lindsey turned a childhood wound into a superpower to help others. And because she’s such a talented coach, she presents a unique way you can do the same when clichés like “Just love yourself” don’t seem to solve anything.

· How she came to realize that workshop presenting IS speaking, and what she learned from giving 50 (!) workshops in 2020.

· The results she achieved by acknowledging that the world is probably not going to put a microphone in your hands and dub you a speaker, but you don’t need it to. So she went ahead and did that for herself, and has seen significant business growth.

Lindsey is powerful proof that you can promote yourself to speaker, do the minutes to become a more confident and charismatic presenter, and then watch how it changes your life and business.

Learn more about Lindsey at her website, and follow her on Instagram at @coach_lins.

Feb 10, 202140:48
A Helpful Lesson From A Speaking Disaster

A Helpful Lesson From A Speaking Disaster

Show Notes: https://www.colinryanspeaks.com/episode-4-curate-your-feedback/


In this episode, Colin tells a story he's never made public: the story of the biggest speaking backfire of his career.

And more importantly, what it can teach us about managing emotions, choosing your path, and protecting your courage.

10+ years of speaking will create a ton of amazing opportunities and experiences. But that willingness to put yourself out there is both a competitive advantage and a predictable risk. 

"When you present, you put yourself in public. Which means you put yourself in the fragile and precarious spot where almost anyone you're in front of can give you feedback of any kind."

Come for the great lessons, stay for the schadenfreude.


What’s the #1 thing you want speaking to add to your life? Let’s make a plan on how you’ll get there. Schedule a free 15-minute No-Sales-Pitch call with Colin or start with our free speaking resources.

Jan 06, 202111:30
How to Make Dry Content Exciting (with Kelsa Dickey)

How to Make Dry Content Exciting (with Kelsa Dickey)

Show Notes: https://www.colinryanspeaks.com/episode-3-kelsa-dickey/


Kelsa Dickey, along with her husband Michael, are the founders of Fiscal Fitness PHX and Financial Coaches Unite, and has been featured on CNN Money, USA Today and MSN Money.

Kelsa is as sharp as they come and has helped countless people through her coaching, yet she is quick to show real candor and authenticity about her own mistakes and journey. This makes her an approachable expert, something all presenters should be striving for.

In our conversation we talk about: why business-owners bootstrap (and how to recognize when it’s leading you away from joy and toward burnout); ways you can motivate your audience/listener to take action when that action won’t pay off for a long time; the surprising results you get when you serve your audience with both your content expertise and a beginner’s mind at the same time

Kelsa also has a podcast, and two episodes in particular made me want to interview her for Courageous Presenters. Those episodes are: Coach Kelsa’s Top 5 Money Mistakes  &  How Money Changes the Way You Think & Feel


What’s the #1 thing you want speaking to add to your life? Let’s make a plan on how you’ll get there. Schedule a free 15-minute No-Sales-Pitch call with Colin or start with our free speaking resources.
Dec 16, 202027:15
Here are Stage Fright Tips that Actually Work (with Ken Fleisher)

Here are Stage Fright Tips that Actually Work (with Ken Fleisher)

Show Notes: https://www.colinryanspeaks.com/episode-2-ken-fleisher/


Ken Fleisher is the creator of Stage Fright Relief, and helps people overcome public speaking nervousness.

In our interview, Ken talks about:

  • the types of performance anxiety that show up in lots of arenas of life beyond just public speaking; why there's so much unhelpful advice out there about overcoming pre-presentation jitters; specific ways you can calm yourself when nervousness hits; and the moment it all changes for his clients (which also happens to be why he does this work!).

For Ken's website and and to get your own stage fright assessment, go to: Discover.StageFrightRelief.com.


What’s the #1 thing you want speaking to add to your life? Let’s make a plan on how you’ll get there. Schedule a free 15-minute No-Sales-Pitch call with Colin or start with our free speaking resources.

Nov 18, 202027:14
How to Make An Impression Without Saying A Word (with Tavia Sharp)

How to Make An Impression Without Saying A Word (with Tavia Sharp)

Show Notes: https://www.colinryanspeaks.com/episode-1-tavia-sharp/


The podcast begins! This episode I'm talking with Tavia Sharp. Tavia is an image consultant for men and the founder & CEO of Styled Sharp.

Tavia gives advice anyone (not only men) can apply, and talks about: Overcoming her fear of public speaking, only to overcome it again to start virtual speaking; A tip to connect when the audience is different from you; Why you should be using your image to differentiate yourself rather than to blend in.

Check out Tavia's work at styledsharp.com or on social at @styledsharp.


What’s the #1 thing you want speaking to add to your life? Let’s make a plan on how you’ll get there. Schedule a free 15-minute No-Sales-Pitch call with Colin or start with our free speaking resources.

Oct 13, 202021:22