Powerful Presenting For Leaders

#63 The difference between being a leader and being THE leader

August 14, 2020 07:00 - 13 minutes - 11 MB

David is currently preparing 9 CEOs for talks. He explains the big difference between leaders who have to present - CEOs, MDs, etc - and aspiring leaders.

#62 Being a brilliant presenter is not about changing one thing by 100%

August 07, 2020 12:07 - 16 minutes - 12.8 MB

David has gone back into bodybuilding prep to get himself ready to compete in 2021. He explains why his approach is hugely analogous to improving presentation skills as a leader.

#61 Don't put the cart before the horse

August 07, 2020 07:00 - 11 minutes - 9.31 MB

David is coaching 9 CEOs for specific pitches at the moment. When he first gets introduced to the new client, what typically happens is that he is presented with a slide deck to start proceedings. In this episode, David explains why this is fundamentally the wrong approach and how it can negatively impact your finished presentation.

#60 I had better practice what I preach

July 31, 2020 07:00 - 18 minutes - 14.4 MB

As a presentations skills coach I am used to telling leaders what to do. But now I am putting together a showreel video and as it is still a presentation, it is critical that I apply my own rules. In this episode, I explain how and why I put it together and you get the chance to hear the audio version.

#59 If it's good for business, it's good for presenting

July 28, 2020 20:10 - 14 minutes - 11.4 MB

Almost every leader wants to stand out from the crowd when it comes to their product or service but goes into reverse when asked to do the same when it comes to their presentations.

#58 What on Earth is virtue signalling?

July 13, 2020 15:23 - 11 minutes - 9 MB

I recently saw a post about how someone LOST 2000 followers on LinkedIn by changing their icon to incorporate the Pride colours. One of the comments in the thread said this was virtue signalling. Is virtue signalling a concern for presenters?

#58 What the Hell is virtue signalling?

July 13, 2020 15:23 - 11 minutes - 9 MB

I recently saw a post about how someone LOST 2000 followers on LinkedIn by changing their icon to incorporate the Pride colours. One of the comments in the thread said this was virtue signalling. Is virtue signalling a concern for presenters?

#57 Courage is what makes leaders presentation rockstars - have you got it?

July 03, 2020 07:00 - 12 minutes - 9.9 MB

David has been preparing an MD of a wealth management firm for a major keynote speech. Due to coronavirus, she has had to pivot very quickly as the event went online. She showed real courage in making the necessary changes and really jumping in.

#57 Courage is what makes leaders presentation rockstars

July 03, 2020 07:00 - 12 minutes - 9.9 MB

David has been preparing an MD of a wealth management firm for a major keynote speech. Due to coronavirus, she has had to pivot very quickly as the event went online. She showed real courage in making the necessary changes and really jumping in.

#56 Sometimes, we don’t know what to say. But we know what we think and feel and we know what to do.

June 26, 2020 10:36 - 12 minutes - 10.4 MB

The death of George Floyd impacted David profoundly. He has found it difficult to know what to say because he has never encountered prejudice of that kind. But he knows what he thinks and what he feels and he knows what he needs to do. As a leader, you can find yourself in the same spot. This is how to deal with it.

#56 Even if we sometimes don’t know what to say, we always know what we think and feel and we definitely know what to do.

June 26, 2020 10:36 - 12 minutes - 10.4 MB

The death of George Floyd impacted David profoundly. He has found it difficult to know what to say because he has never encountered prejudice of that kind. But he knows what he thinks and what he feels and he knows what he needs to do. As a leader, you can find yourself in the same spot. This is how to deal with it.

#55 Why I believe remote speaking is here to stay

May 26, 2020 10:08 - 15 minutes - 14.3 MB

No-one knows what the future holds when it comes to live events. But I do believe that even after lockdown, when things start returning to normal, remote speaking, presenting and facilitating will still be a significant part of daily business life. In this podcast, I explain why.

#55 Remote speaking is here to stay - learn it or go the same way as the dinosaurs

May 26, 2020 10:08 - 15 minutes - 14.3 MB

No-one knows what the future holds when it comes to live events. But I do believe that even after lockdown, when things start returning to normal, remote speaking, presenting and facilitating will still be a significant part of daily business life. In this podcast, I explain why.

#54 Second half of LIVE Q&A

May 18, 2020 13:13 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MB

Being put on the spot is a nervous experience for even the most experienced speaker. Hear how David did on the second half of his live Q&A on a recent remote motivational speech.

#54 Second half of LIVE Q & A

May 18, 2020 13:13 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MB

Being put on the spot is a nervous experience for even the most experienced speaker. Hear how David did on the second half of his live Q&A on a recent remote motivational speech.

#53 How did David handle doing a LIVE Q&A?

May 03, 2020 11:05 - 17 minutes - 16 MB

Normally, when David does a keynote speech, there are no questions at the end. The client wants to get their value for money by having him speak for as long as possible. But after doing a recent remote motivational speech live, the organiser followed up with a live Q&A session. This podcast episode is the first half of that session.

#52 Remote Keynote Speech Part 2

April 19, 2020 07:00 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MB

David has thrown himself into the remote speaking world. He shares his experiences so far and there is the second half of his keynote speech that he recently did remotely for a national sales conference audience.

#52 Coronavirus remote speaking update and keynote speech Part 2

April 19, 2020 07:00 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MB

David has thrown himself into the remote speaking world. He shares his experiences so far and there is the second half of his keynote speech that he recently did remotely for a national sales conference audience.

#51 Remote Keynote Speech Part 1

April 10, 2020 06:04 - 21 minutes - 19.7 MB

Keynote speaking is the one type of presentation where it is difficult to capture the same impact online as you do face to face. David did one this week and gives you his opinion on whether it worked, feedback from the client and delegates and plays the first half.

#51 Remote keynote speech part 1

April 10, 2020 06:04 - 21 minutes - 19.7 MB

Keynote speaking is the one type of presentation where it is difficult to capture the same impact online as you do face to face. David did one this week and gives you his opinion on whether it worked, feedback from the client and delegates and plays the first half.

#50 Navigating the coronavirus speaking desert

March 31, 2020 16:04 - 20 minutes - 19.5 MB

Coronavirus has turned David’s speaking diary into a desert for the foreseeable future. The saviour that has stepped in is remote speaking. In this episode, David goes through how valuable remote speaking can be when it is done well. And the lessons he has very quickly learned as ALL his clients go virtual.

#50 The lesson of coronavirus

March 31, 2020 16:04 - 20 minutes - 19.5 MB

Coronavirus turned David’s speaking diary into a desert for the foreseeable future. In steps remote speaking. In this episode, David goes through how valuable remote speaking can be when it is done well. And the lessons he has very quickly learned as his clients go virtual.

#49 What is the most important number in business?

March 11, 2020 14:49 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MB

Coronavirus is hitting speaker's businesses and for one simple reason. They have only one way of making money. Standing it up and belting it out. In this episode, David talks about the value of learning and mastering remote speaking.

#49 What is the one number in business that we should all avoid?

March 11, 2020 14:49 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MB

There is one number more important in business than any other and we should avoid it like the plague. It is the number that is sending businesses to the wall and particularly those of many speakers. In this episode, David explains why this number is so significant but even more importantly, how you can circumvent it to ensure you still gain maximum impact when communicating as a leader.

#48 Your thoughts and beliefs are not necessarily facts

March 04, 2020 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MB

I posted today on social media about how nerves is still the #1 issue when it comes to presenting. Someone commented and said that they ‘believed’ that nerves are good to maintain focus. This is utter BS. I tell you why in this podcast.

#48 I don't care what you believe - tell me what you know

March 04, 2020 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MB

David posted today on social media about how managing nerves is still the #1 issue when it comes to presenting. Someone posted that they ‘believed’ that nerves are good to maintain focus. This is utter bullshit. David tells you why in this podcast.

#47 It is supposed to be hard

February 26, 2020 20:00 - 14 minutes - 14 MB

If it was easy, every leader would be a presentation rockstar. Improving presentation skills requires an entire deconstruction of your current speaking self, learning successful and tried strategies and turning them into habits. How hard can that be?

#47 Improving your presentation skills is supposed to be hard

February 26, 2020 20:00 - 14 minutes - 14 MB

If it was easy, every leader would be a presentation rockstar. Improving presentation skills requires an entire deconstruction of your current speaking self, learning successful and tried strategies and turning them into habits. How hard can that be and have you got what it takes?

#46 Don’t learn interesting. Unlearn boring.

February 19, 2020 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MB

‘Every organisation must prepare for the abandonment of everything it does.’ - Peter Drucker. This is EXACTLY what David does when he coaches CEOs. He takes them apart and reassembles them as a presentation rockstar. But to do that takes a leap by the mentee. Most want to be a little more interesting/funny/better with technology, etc. But to have a significant improvement requires something much deeper. David explains how he does that and the impact it had on one CEO when he made the change.

#46 Don’t learn interesting, just unlearn boring

February 19, 2020 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MB

‘Every organisation must prepare for the abandonment of everything it does.’ - Peter Drucker. This is EXACTLY what David does when he coaches CEOs. He takes them apart and reassembles them as a presentation rockstar. But to do that takes a leap by the mentee. Most want to be a little more interesting/funny/better with technology, etc. But to have a significant improvement requires something much deeper. David explains how he does that and the impact it had on one CEO when he made the change.

#45 Moderate your presentation according to the audience

February 12, 2020 08:00 - 12 minutes - 12.3 MB

David recently spent a day doing presentation skills coaching with a team of 8 people. Unusually, the feedback was mixed. Question is – how did David deal with it?

#44 There are only two types of presenters

February 05, 2020 08:00 - 10 minutes - 10.1 MB

As David has gone along his merry journey called life, he has learned one thing. Whether it was becoming a world class memoriser, national level competitive bodybuilder or an international speaker for nearly quarter of a century, one thing is true. There are always two categories of performers – those who have a detailed strategy and execute it well and those who fly by the seat of their pants.

#43 EVERY time you speak, it’s a presentation

January 31, 2020 19:06 - 8 minutes - 8.4 MB

David recently had an old friend up at his house for a day doing presentation skills coaching. When he did the exit interview at the end of the day, he asked him why he had chosen David. He said it was because of his social media videos. We all know the incredible value of a strong presence on social media and yet, it still shocks David how many people – even professional speakers – do it badly despite the obvious harm to their business and brand.

#43 Every time you speak, it’s a presentation

January 31, 2020 19:06 - 8 minutes - 8.4 MB

I recently had an old friend up at my house for a day doing presentation skills coaching. When we did the outro interview at the end of the day, I asked him why he had chosen me. He said it was because of my social media videos. We all know the incredible value of a strong presence on social media and yet, it still shocks me how many people – even professional speakers – do it badly.

#42 Use every trick at your disposal to keep your audience fully engaged

January 22, 2020 08:00 - 13 minutes - 10.9 MB

David did a motivational keynote speech for a sales conference just before Xmas in Dubai. One specific request from the guy who booked his was to memorise and recite a pack of playing cards. Two people filmed it and you will hear a clip of the response from those watching. What seems like an almost pointless party trick can have a dramatic effect on an audience.

#41 Feel the fear and say it anyway

January 17, 2020 08:00 - 12 minutes - 9.99 MB

Everyone who presents wants to be a presentation rockstar and absolutely kill from the stage. Yet, the thing that holds most leaders back is fear. Fear that they will be ridiculed if they share something personal. Well, David has news for you. NOT saying those things is what makes audiences pity you and think of you as beige. In this episode, David gives two examples of leaders who took a deep breath, stepped out of their comfort zone and were richly rewarded for it.

#40 10 things David learned in 2019

January 13, 2020 19:45 - 21 minutes - 17.6 MB

As this is the first podcast of 2020, David thought he would reflect on a wonderful 2019 and share what lessons he has learned including what NOT to do with a client. He will also share how his lessons will change his life, his business and his speaking moving forward and how you can apply them too to your presentation skills.

#40 10 things I learned in 2019

January 13, 2020 19:45 - 21 minutes - 17.6 MB

As this is the first podcast of 2020, I thought I would reflect on a wonderful 2019 and share with you what lessons I learned including what NOT to do with a client. I will also share how this will change my life, my business and my speaking moving forward.

#39 The first time I have been nervous in 15 years

December 18, 2019 18:34 - 17 minutes - 13.9 MB

I recently had to give a unique talk that I have never had to in 23 years of speaking. And for the first time in 15 years, I was genuinely nervous. In this podcast, I explained how I put the presentation together and how I handled my nerves.

#39 The first time David has been nervous in 15 years

December 18, 2019 18:34 - 17 minutes - 13.9 MB

David recently gave a unique talk that he has never been asked to deliver in 23 years of speaking. And for the first time in 15 years, he was genuinely nervous. In this podcast, he explains how he put the presentation together and handled his nerves.

#38 Music is brilliant for changing the state of your audience

November 27, 2019 10:01 - 11 minutes - 9.18 MB

A current Xmas advert is using an old piece of music that took David back 35 years to a very difficult time in his life. Hearing it created an immediate change in his state. You can do the same with your audiences.

#37 We don't know what we don't know

November 22, 2019 08:00 - 11 minutes - 8.98 MB

Over the years David has competed in some unusual and different areas. This has included the World Memory Championships and the Over 50s British bodybuilding finals. As a professional speaker, he has also spoken to hundreds of thousands of people in 25 different countries. But whatever the endeavour, all the practice in the world has not come close to the experience of actually putting himself in the hot seat and doing it for real. To be a presentation rockstar, you must do the same.

#36 Death makes things become very real very quickly

November 19, 2019 11:02 - 12 minutes - 10.4 MB

Too many presentations are sterile and devoid of personality and character. A bit more honesty and openness making them more real will draw audience members to you.

#36 Death makes things become very real very quickly

November 19, 2019 11:02 - 12 minutes - 10.4 MB

Too many presentations are sterile and devoid of any personality and character. A bit more honesty and openness making them more real will draw audience members to you.

#35 Advice from a world champion

November 06, 2019 08:00 - 13 minutes - 18.4 MB

After entering the bodybuilding finals of the British Championships, I quizzed my category winner and previous World Champion as to the secret to his success. He came back with one word – consistency. I explain how important this is in improving our speaking.

#35 Advice from a world champion - no, not David

November 06, 2019 08:00 - 13 minutes - 18.4 MB

After entering the bodybuilding finals of the British Championships, David quizzed the category winner and previous World Champion as to the secret of his success. He came back with one word – consistency. A consistent diet and training regime is the only way to achieve the very best physique possible in bodybuilding. In this episode, David explains how consistent application of best practice presentation skills is the only way to produce the very best version of yourself on stage.

#34 Learn to manage or remove because it's unlikely that it will go away on its own

October 25, 2019 11:41 - 13 minutes - 12.9 MB

Sometimes when he speaks and it is the right presentation with the right audience, David shares how he manages his very difficult childhood to still operate successfully as an adult. In this episode, David explains how the same approach can be used for dealing with significant speaking barriers such as nerves.

Powerful Presenting For Leaders

Episodes