How to Manage Anxiety and Recharge After Presenting

Eleni KelakosCoaching, Communication, Confidence Building, For Introverts, Peak Performance, Performance Anxiety, Presentation Tips, Public Speaking

Public Speaking Tips for Introverts Public Speaking Tips for Introverts: When “Alice,” a CFO I once coached, told me why she dreaded giving presentations, she didn’t hesitate. “It’s because I’m an introvert. I’d much rather talk one-on-one than get up in front of a group. Having all those eyes on me makes me anxious. The whole process—the prepping, the speaking, the emotional drain—completely exhausts me. I’m toast afterwards!” Alice’s struggle isn’t unique. Many introverted leaders—CFOs, CIOs, and executives—would rather be behind their laptops than behind a podium. Yet their roles require them to speak: delivering financial updates, leading project briefings, …

Boost Engagement in Virtual Presentations

Eleni KelakosAudience Connection, Audience Engagement, Communication, Communication Skills, Leadership, Public Speaking, Remote Work, Virtual Presentations, Zoom Meetings

How to Get Your Zoom Audience to Turn On Their Cameras. Virtual presentation engagement tips. Have you ever delivered a virtual training, webinar, or talk and been met with… silence and blank screens? It’s disheartening. You log on, bring your energy, and instead of smiling faces, you’re greeted by a wall of muted, camera-off rectangles. It feels like speaking into a void. This lack of visibility is common in presentation-style webinars, where large audiences naturally default to hiding. But when it happens in smaller, interactive Zoom meetings or workshops, it’s not only awkward—it can be downright painful for presenters who …

Like Peas & Carrots, Speaking & Leading Go Together

Eleni KelakosCoaching, Communication, High Level, Leadership, Speaking

One of the most frequent questions I’m asked is, “Do high-level leaders really need to be great speakers?” As a presence, presentation, and performance coach with over two decades of experience working with senior executives, my answer is a resounding, “Yes!” Like peas and carrots, speaking and leading go hand in hand. If you want to lead your team at the highest level, you must bring an equally high level of poise, presence, and performance to your communications. That said, the better question might be: “Are high-level leaders always great speakers?” My answer? “No.” The Reality of Leadership and Communication …