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 …

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, …

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 …

Public Speaking Training in the Age of AI: Why It Still Matters

Eleni KelakosAI, Charismatic Presence, Communication Skills, Leadership, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips, Public Presence, Public Speaking

Is public speaking training even necessary anymore? “You know what I’ve been hearing a lot lately?” Eleni, now that AI can help people write presentations, is public speaking training even necessary anymore? My short answer? Absolutely. AI Can Give You Words—But Not Presence AI is brilliant at spitting out words. But words alone don’t win hearts, spark action, or make someone leave thinking, “That talk changed me.” That kind of impact comes from presence—from you showing up genuine, grounded, and human. Your voice. Your quirks. Your energy. Your humanity. Or, as I like to say, your yumminess. Training Isn’t About …

9 Ways to Sustain Charismatic Presence & Presentation Skills

Eleni KelakosCharismatic Presence, Communication Skills, Confident Speakers, Executive Presence, Leadership Listening Skills, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips, Professional Speakers, Public Speaking

Charisma isn’t a one-time performance—it’s a lifelong practice. Charismatic presence for speakers. If you’re striving to become a compelling communicator, you already know that delivering a standout presentation takes work. But the real magic lies in sustaining your presence and evolving your skills long after the applause fades. Today marks the launch of my third book, Charismatic Presence: 5 Principles For Magnetic Presentations. To celebrate, I’m sharing an exclusive excerpt from Chapter 8, “Moving Toward Mastery,” where I offer nine powerful ways to help you maintain your presence and presentation excellence over time. Whether you’re leading meetings, delivering keynotes, or …

Charismatic Presence and a Hunt For Morels

Eleni KelakosCharismatic Presence, Confident Speakers, Leadership, Personal Growth, Public Speaking, Speaking, Storytelling

Charismatic Presence: A few nights ago, my friend Carrie Hensel sent a short text that instantly rearranged my plans: “I did a story about Morel mushroom hunting on CBS Detroit. It comes out tonight at 6pm. Come to Fraser’s Pub to watch it with me and some other pals.” When Carrie texts, people show up. And that’s exactly what a dozen of us did—gathered around a pub TV, drinks in hand, to watch her TV feature. But we weren’t just there for mushrooms. We were there because Carrie has that rare, magnetic quality I call Charismatic Presence. In fact, Charismatic …

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 …

The Power of Genuine Human Connection | Presence & Compassion in Action

Eleni KelakosCommunication Skills, Emotional Intelligence, Empathy, Human Connection, Leadership, Personal Growth, Public Presence, Public Speaking

Genuine human connection… I knew something was wrong the moment she crumpled into the plastic airport lounge chair across from me. Her eyes were red and swollen. A crumpled tissue trembled in her hand. But the real giveaway was the crisply folded American flag in a clear plastic case that rested on her lap like a sacred relic. Every now and then, she’d hug it like it was alive. Without knowing the full story, I could feel it: deep, aching grief. I told myself to give her space. Let her be. Don’t interfere. But then, she ended a phone call …

How to Handle Presentation Mishaps with Confidence

Eleni KelakosAudience Engagement, Keynote Speaking, Performance Anxiety, Performance Techniques, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips, Promotion Tips, Public Speaking

You’re mid-speech, in the zone—and then it happens. You trip, forget your next line, or knock your water over. Welcome to the world of presentation mishaps, where even seasoned pros take a tumble. Literally. I once fell off a raised stage in front of 300 dental professionals. While adjusting to new glasses and feeling fired up, I stepped too close to the edge and—boom! Down I went. Skirt flying, limbs flailing. Graceful? Not even close. The crowd gasped. I popped up, raised a hand, and said, “I’m good! Nothing’s broken—except maybe my ego!” We all laughed, the tension eased, and …

Managing Public Speaking Anxiety: Even Pros Get Nervous

Eleni KelakosPeak Performance, Performance Techniques, Problem Solving, Professional Speakers, Public Speaking, Strategic Tips

When I Thought I Had 45 Minutes to Speak… But Actually Had 15 I just got back from an incredible weekend in San Diego, where I joined fellow authors and entrepreneurs at IndieBooks International’s Agency Rainmaker Forum. I laughed, I learned, I connected—and yes, I had my own little moment of self-inflicted chaos. Here’s how to manage public speaking anxiety. I Was Ready. Or So I Thought. As a proud faculty member, I was given a speaking slot to preview my upcoming book, Charismatic Presence: Five Principles for Magnetic Presentations (coming April 24th!). I’d been prepping for weeks. I even …

Connect First, Speak Second

Eleni KelakosPeak Performance, Professional Speakers, Professional Tips, Public Speaking, Speaking Engagements

Tariq was next on the list to give a presentation during my day-long training. He was nervous but excited. As soon as his feet hit the podium, he began speaking, spitting out a barrage of words. Within thirty seconds, he was gasping for breath. Meanwhile, we, the audience, were struggling to keep up and connect with him. I stopped him mid-sentence. “Tariq,” I said, “I want you to stand in silence for a moment so you can get your adrenaline under control. Quietly observe the emotions you’re experiencing. Ground yourself by feeling the floor under your feet. Inhale … exhale. …

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 …

Giving an Introduction? Get it Right!

Eleni KelakosAudience Connection, Peak Performance, Performance Techniques, Professional Speakers, Public Speaking, Strategic Tips

Have you ever found yourself tasked with introducing a speaker or dignitary before they step onto the stage to deliver a speech or receive an award? The pressure to “get it right” in these situations can be overwhelming when all eyes are on you. It is especially nerve-wracking when you are faced with names or phrases that are difficult to pronounce—something many of us can relate to. Take Vice President Kamala Harris, for example. Despite her nieces demonstrating how to pronounce her name during the Democratic National Convention—“Kama” like “comma” and “La” like “La La La”—mispronunciations still occur. It’s a …

The Art of Saying No

Eleni KelakosPublic Speaking, Relationship Communication, Self Help, Strategic Tips

Have you ever found yourself agreeing to a favor or request when you really wanted to say no? Maybe it’s accepting an invitation for coffee with an acquaintance you don’t particularly get along with, volunteering to chaperone a school outing when you’d rather not, or taking on an additional project that will overload your already heavy workload. I know I have! Many of us struggle with this dilemma, often saying yes to things that don’t align with our true feelings or even our capacity. Award-winning professor and researcher Vanessa Patrick sheds light on why this happens in her insightful book, …

Presentation Tip: Managing The Moment Before

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

Recently, I had the opportunity to watch Sing Sing, a film that tells the inspiring story of inmates at the famed Sing Sing prison who participated in a transformative program called Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA). This powerful film, enacted predominantly by actual RTA participants, centers around a character named Divine G, played by the incredible Colman Domingo. Divine G is an inmate wrongfully convicted of a crime, but he discovers a renewed sense of purpose through his involvement in a theater group alongside other incarcerated men. The film’s portrayal of how the essential elements of acting—trusting oneself and others, …

Managing Interrupting and Being Interrupted

Eleni KelakosExecutive Presence, Professional Tips, Public Speaking, Strategic Tips, Women in Leadership

When it comes to communication and presentation skills, I’m passionate about coaching and training everyone equally. Today, though, I want to focus on an area that’s particularly relevant for women in my audience: the art of interrupting and holding your ground in conversations. These skills can be pivotal in ensuring your voice is heard, especially when it matters most. I dive into this topic in my book, Claim the Stage: A Woman’s Guide to Speaking Up, Standing Out, and Taking Leadership. Let me share a story from the book that illustrates why this skill is so crucial: Vanessa, a talented …

Stop Preparing And Just Do It

Eleni KelakosPerformance Techniques, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking, Strategic Tips

When I teach presentation skills to my coaching and training clients, I always emphasize the importance of knowing their material inside out. As jazz musician Bradford Marsalis wisely said, “If you’re not prepared, it’s too late.” This principle applies to all aspects of life, not just public speaking. However, there comes a point where you need to stop preparing and just DO it. This leap of faith can be terrifying for many people, causing them to remain stuck in a perpetual state of preparation. I call it “getting ready to get ready,” which can prevent you from showing up, stepping …

For Better Public Speaking, 5 Lessons From The Baseball Field

Eleni KelakosPeak Performance, Performance Techniques, Professional Speakers, Public Speaking, Self Help, Strategic Tips

Hanging in the hallway leading to my office is a large, black-and-white photograph of me at twelve, pigtailed and squinting as a fat softball hurtles toward my outstretched leather glove. I’m wearing cutoffs and dirty white Keds sneakers, guarding first base with every fiber of my being. Whenever a client admires the photo, I shrug and say, “I caught that ball.” It still gives me a ripple of pride. That photo captures a sweet moment on a sweet day when, as part of a co-ed softball team at the Walworth Barbour American International School in Israel, I fell even more …