For Presentation Mastery, Sharpen The Saw

Eleni KelakosExciting Presentations, Executive Presence, Peak Performance, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips, Professional Speakers

When I was cast in a production of Claire Booth Luce’s play The Women at the San Diego Repertory Theater, I learned a lesson that has stuck with me ever since. Our cast of about 20 incredible women was guided by the visionary director Anne Bogart. Over the month-long rehearsal period, we fine-tuned every movement and choice to bring the script to life in alignment with Anne’s creative vision. By opening night, our performances were consistent and solid. But as often happens in life and on stage, things started to shift once the guiding force—Anne—left to direct another play in …

5 Practices for Presence & Presentation Mastery

Eleni KelakosAudience Connection, Executive Presence, Peak Performance, Performance Techniques, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips, Professional Speakers, Public Speaking, Strategic Tips

When it comes to presentations, how skilled are you at giving them? How activated and consistent is your Charismatic Presence, the magnetic life-force that draws people into you? No matter where you are in your journey as a speaker or communicator, you’re never truly “done.” There’s always room for improvement, and peak performers know that mastery is a lifelong pursuit. They understand the importance of stepping into discomfort again and again to grow beyond their current skill set. Think Like An Actor And Move Towards Mastery Adopting an actor’s mindset can be invaluable for your journey toward mastering presence and …

Kick Off Your Presentations With a Bang!

Eleni KelakosAudience Connection, Exciting Presentations, Performance Techniques, Presentation Tips, Professional Speakers

The Importance of a Strong Opening In a business pitch workshop I recently conducted, I observed a common challenge faced by many presenters: capturing the audience’s attention right from the start. David, one of the participants, struggled with this while presenting his product—a clever device that prevents electrical cords from tangling. Despite its simplicity and potential value, David’s delivery fell flat. His lengthy introduction and lack of focus lost the audience’s interest almost immediately. I decided to step in. “David,” I said, “there’s a way to make your point simply, quickly, and compellingly. Let me demonstrate.” I grabbed a tangled …

10 Ways To Make Your Power Point Slides Better

Eleni KelakosExciting Presentations, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips, Strategic Tips, Virtual Presenations

Over twenty years ago, an excruciatingly dull PowerPoint presentation drove me to become a presentation coach and trainer. Today, poorly executed slide presentations still make me want to shout, “TURN OFF THE SLIDES AND JUST TALK TO US!” (And yes, I often do this when coaching clients.) Why Slides Matter It’s not that I dislike slide presentations; I dislike poorly conceived and poorly delivered ones. When used correctly, slides can powerfully reinforce your spoken points. However, all too often, slides and their accompanying technology distract from the speaker. Remember, you are the star of your presentation, and your slides should …

3 Ways to Start Your Speech and Maximize Your “Magic Moment”

Eleni KelakosAudience Engagement, Executive Presence, Peak Performance, Performance Techniques, Presentation Tips

You’re sitting in a darkened, crowded auditorium. The speaker you’ve been eagerly awaiting has just been introduced. In silence, she steps up to the microphone. This moment—the silent magic moment before the speaker utters her first words—is almost unbearably pregnant with hope and possibility. It practically crackles with energy. You lean in, ears pricked, breath held, senses on high. What will she say? you wonder. What will she sound like? Will she capture my attention? Or will she disappoint me? The moment hangs, brimming with potential. And then, she speaks: “Thanks for that nice introduction,” she says. “How’s everybody doing? …

For Better Presentations, Practice The Parts That Matter

Eleni KelakosPeak Performance, Performance Techniques, presentation skills training, Presentation Tips

When I played Junior Varsity basketball in high school, I struggled to consistently hit my free-throws and shots from the corner of the key.  And so, I committed to staying half an hour every day after each basketball practice, practicing my weakest shots over and over again until I could nail them nearly every time.   Just like athletes (or musicians, or dancers), speakers need to practice and hone their skills, content, techniques, and material so they can perform at their peak under pressure.  The more you practice—whether it be a piano concerto,  a baseball pitch, a triple pirouette, or the …