Mine the Magic of a Coaching Deep Dive

Eleni KelakosCoaching, Leadership, Leadership & Communication, Leadership Development, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips, Professional Development, Professional Tips, Public Presence, Public Speaking

Why Going Deep Changes Everything I love a Deep Dive. And no, I’m not talking about a perfectly executed dive into the deep end of a swimming pool (although I do love that too). I’m talking about the kind of deep dive that happens when you commit to extended, focused coaching time with a wise, experienced human being. I was reminded of just how powerful this experience can be during a recent coaching deep dive with my business coach of more than two decades, Mark LeBlanc, CSP, CPAE. The Power of a Long-Term Coaching Relationship Mark and I have worked …

18 Reasons to Be Thankful as a Speaker (Especially During the Holidays)

Eleni KelakosLeadership & Communication, Leadership Development, Personal Growth, Presentation Skills, Professional Development, Public Speaking, Speaker Mindset

As the holidays approach, gratitude becomes a theme we hear everywhere—but for speakers, it’s more than a seasonal sentiment. It’s a powerful mindset shift that strengthens your confidence, presence, and impact every time you step on a stage or into a conference room. Too often, speakers focus on the challenges: the hours of preparation, the stress of booking gigs, the nerves that hit the moment before stepping into the spotlight, or the inevitable technical hiccups that show up at the worst possible moment. As a presentation and presence coach, I hear about these struggles all the time. And yes—speaking can …

Stop Blaming Your Audience: How to Take Ownership of Your Presence and Speak With Confidence

Eleni KelakosCommunication Skills, Confidence Building, Keynote Speaking Advice, Life Lessons, Presentation Skills, Professional Development, Public Presence, Public Speaking Tips, Speaking

Stop Blaming Your Audience: “What a terrible audience!” If you’ve ever whispered those words after a presentation, keynote, or meeting, you’re not alone. Maybe you didn’t say it out loud, but the thought was there: They were unresponsive.They didn’t get it.They gave me nothing to work with. And suddenly, the audience becomes the reason the connection didn’t land, your energy dipped, or your message fell flat. Trust me—I’ve been there. When I Used to Blame the Audience As a young actress in New York City, my auditions lived and died by the energy I got from the people sitting behind …

How to Wear Your Invisible Crown: Boost Your Confidence and Command the Room

Eleni KelakosConfidence Building, Leadership, Professional Development, Public Speaking

How to boost confidence and presence! When I was fifteen, I was cast as Queen Aggravain—the scheming, overbearing, and gloriously dramatic mother of Prince Dauntless—in my high school’s production of Once Upon a Mattress. It was my first time playing royalty. I was thrilled, intimidated, and completely unsure how to be a queen. But my director, Ora Lichtenstein, had other plans. “By the time I’m done with you,” she declared in her commanding South African accent, “you will walk, sit, stand, gesture, and speak like royalty!” Turning Into a Queen Our first rehearsal began with Ora handing me a book.“Imagine …

4 Ways Speakers Can Stay On Time

Eleni KelakosCommunication & Influence, Keynote Speaking Advice, Presentation Skills, Professional Development, Professional Speakers, Professional Tips, Public Speaking, Public Speaking Tips, Speaking Engagements, Strategic Tips

How to Avoid Being a Time Gobbler How to Avoid Being a Time Gobbler -> Have you ever been in the audience when a speaker runs long, pushing the entire program behind schedule? Or maybe you’ve been on stage yourself, caught up in the moment, only to realize you’ve gone well past your allotted time. That’s what I call being a Time Gobbler—and I know the feeling because I was one. Early in my speaking career, I gave a keynote that was supposed to last 50 minutes. But the evening started late, dinner service dragged on, and by the time …