Spoken with Authority

?? ?? ?? ?? Last week, Christine Clapp had a marathon day facilitating 3 webinars x 2 hours each, training folks from Nashville to New York, Brazil to London, France to Sweden, and Singapore to Australia! Webinar times were staggered at 9 a.m., 12 noon, and 7 p.m. ET for the same client to accommodate different time zones. Normally we don't do that much facilitation in one day for our team's vocal health and energy management. BUT, this international organization wanted to provide the same workshop and facilitator experience to ALL members of their leadership cohort. That's an inclusive approach that we can get behind! For 2025, we're currently planning webinars to accommodate another client with team members in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Are you planning 2025 training and development for your organization or law firm? Curious about how we adapt our content and schedules for a global audience? Schedule a call to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eRUukDfx Text on graphic: Learning Made Flexible: Webinars for Every Corner of the Globe #professionaldevelopment #employeedevelopment #employeeengagement

Are you attending NALP's PDI in Scottsdale? If so, here are 3?? ways we can connect in person: ?? Christine Clapp and Amanda Pruden would love to meet for coffee and discuss ways we can support your training and coaching initiatives in 2025. Schedule a time here: https://lnkd.in/eKSSiPzi Note: our scheduler defaults to viewing available times in your current time zone. To see what time our meetup would be, click 'time zone' then select 'Arizona Time'. ?? On December 5th, Christine Clapp is co-presenting a session titled "Brilliance on Demand: How to Look Smart When It Matters Most” with Steve Hughes from Hit Your Stride, LLC. See the full description in the?conference agenda: https://lnkd.in/euWEF2aB ?? On December 4th, Spoken with Authority and other members of the?PD Providers Network?will host a meet and greet at Faro & Brag, located at the conference venue. Please?RSVP?and feel free to invite friends and colleagues: https://lnkd.in/emvVR4Hx Drop a comment or emoji in the chat to let us know you'll be at PDI 2024!

Parlez-vous fran?ais? If you’re Coach Lisa Richard, the answer is "Oui, oui!" Recently, a client asked if any of our coaches were fluent in French, as they had a team needing support for a high-stakes pitch presentation that needed to be delivered in French. We were thrilled to say “yes!”—or should we say, “oui!”—and connected them with Lisa for coaching and feedback on their rehearsals. After the pitch was delivered, the client reported, "The team loved having Lisa involved and felt she made a positive impact on the delivery of this pitch presentation!" ?? Fun fact about Lisa: she holds a bachelor’s degree in French from the University of Denver and a master’s degree in teaching from the School for International Training. Interested in learning more fun facts about our team? Check out their bio pages: https://lnkd.in/evHZiN_c Wondering if we can help with your coaching needs? Send us an email ([email protected]) or schedule a call: https://lnkd.in/eRUukDfx Translation: Parlez-vous fran?ais? (Do you speak French?) If you’re Coach Lisa Richard, the answer is "Oui, oui!" ("Yes, yes!") #pitchpresentation #clientpitch #presentationskills #professionalpresence #executivepresence #publicspeaking

Parlez-vous fran?ais? If you’re Coach Lisa Richard, the answer is "Oui, oui!" Recently, a client asked if any of our coaches were fluent in French, as they had a team needing support for a high-stakes pitch presentation that needed to be delivered in French. We were thrilled to say “yes!”—or should we say, “oui!”—and connected them with Lisa for coaching and feedback on their rehearsals. After the pitch was delivered, the client reported, "The team loved having Lisa involved and felt she made a positive impact on the delivery of this pitch presentation!" ?? Fun fact about Lisa: she holds a bachelor’s degree in French from the University of Denver and a master’s degree in teaching from the School for International Training. Interested in learning more fun facts about our team? Check out their bio pages: https://lnkd.in/evHZiN_c Wondering if we can help with your coaching needs? Send us an email ([email protected]) or schedule a call: https://lnkd.in/eRUukDfx Translation: Parlez-vous fran?ais? (Do you speak French?) If you’re Coach Lisa Richard, the answer is "Oui, oui!" ("Yes, yes!") #pitchpresentation #clientpitch #presentationskills #professionalpresence #executivepresence #publicspeaking

??? If you'll be at NALP's 2024 PDI #conference, mark you calendar to attend 'Brilliance on Demand: How to Look Smart When It Matters Most' with Steve Hughes and Christine Clapp! Have you ever wondered: ?? How do I respond when I'm put on the spot by an unexpected question or conversation? ?? What if I could remain calm and find my footing in short order? ?? What if I could communicate with more clarity and confidence when the stakes are high? Brilliance On Demand is a dynamic, hands-on program that uses proven tactics and engaging exercises to unlock your genius and be quicker on your feet. Whether you're dealing with a skeptical colleague, presenting a bold idea, or navigating a difficult conversation, you’ll discover how to foster adaptability and embrace the unexpected. Join us on December 5th from 2:45 PM - 4:00 PM in Scottsdale, AZ at 2024 PDI. We hope to see you there! Text on graphic: Brilliance on Demand: How to Look Smart When It Matters Most. Join us on December 5th from 2:45 PM - 4:00 PM at NALP’s 2024 PDI Conference in Scottsdale, AZ. Steve Hughes of Hit Your Stride, LLC. Christine Clapp of Spoken with Authority. #professionaldevelopment #conferencespeaker #biglaw #attorney #lawfirm #executivepresence #professionalpresence

Save the date! As a proud member of the PD Providers Network, we're excited to kick off NALP's 2024 PDI conference with a happy hour! Details and the link to RSVP are below. Christine Clapp and Amanda Pruden will be attending - we hope to see you there! ??? When: Wednesday, December 4th, 6-9pm ?? Where: Faro & Brag, inside The Westin Kierland, Scottsdale, Arizona ?? RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/emvVR4Hx

Ever heard someone make a statement where the content is declarative, but the way it is spoken makes it sound like a question? Below, Spoken with Authority Coach Robert W. Gordon, Esq. explains the importance of intonation patterns - aka variation in pitch - and what they convey. Upward inflection of pitch (sometimes referred to as a "sing-song” voice, upspeak, or high-rising intonation) in the middle or end of phrases in Standard American English can be interpreted as uncertainty or can cause confuse listeners because they are unsure if the utterance is a statement or a question. In some cases, though, an upward inflection at the end of sentences is in fact useful if you are 1) asking a question or 2) being tentative because you are going to add important information afterward. Other than those occasions, however, such upward inflection should be avoided if you want to be perceived as confident. One way to avoid a sing-song voice is to start your phrase or sentence on a high pitch, then gradually cascade down in pitch in stages (as if going down a staircase). Then, just before the end of the phrase or sentence, slightly raise your pitch, briefly pause, and then end on a low pitch, thus giving an auditory signal to your audience that you have completed your phrase. This intonation pattern gives your voice a musical quality and people will generally enjoy listening to the sound of your voice due to how you compose the tone and rhythm. It also gives your voice an authoritative aura that will convey confidence and assurance, which can help reduce objections to your message or questions about it. In this audio recording, listen?to Coach Robert Gordon demonstrate the “sing-song", "flat", and "cascade"?sentence intonation. #vocalpresence #vocalvariety #vocalintonation #vocalquality #publicspeaking #presentationskills #oralcommunication

Can we talk about sitting on a platform for a panel discussion, interview, so-called "fireside chat," or as one of a series of individual speakers? It's awkward, but thankfully our Facilitator and Coach Jean Costanza Miller, Ph.D. addresses it AND gives spot on tips below. ?? Thank you for your vulnerability and wisdom, Jean! I've had many clients talk about how this format adds to their nervousness about speaking because they aren't sure what to wear or how to sit. Now, I'm clearly no fashionista, but I've been lucky to know a few who have given some great advice. A few tips: 1?? Consider pants or a longer skirt if you are concerned about feeling exposed. Believe it or not, the skirt I'm wearing in the photos below is knee length when I'm standing. Wear what makes you feel confident while being appropriate to the occasion. 2?? Avoid super busy prints or big plaids, especially if the event will be recorded. 3?? Consider the background and try to wear a contrasting color. Beige on beige or grey on grey can make you disappear. 4?? Pull attention to your face with a contrasting collar, chunky necklace, or scarf. 5?? Wearing a smile conveys comfort and confidence. Regardless of what you're wearing, sitting with grace and ease can enhance your confidence and help the audience focus on your message instead of being distracted by how you're sitting....so here are a few tips for sitting on a platform wearing whatever you want to wear: 1?? Taking up space is good, but sitting with knees apart just doesn't look great on a platform. Even if you think you are sitting with your knees together, you probably aren't. That's the photo on the left. I feel exposed, and that is not comfortable. 2?? Many of us tend to cross our legs at the knee. This can leave us a bit exposed in another way. It can also mean the sole of our shoe is pointing at people, which can be offensive to some. We also risk having our foot flailing or waving about, which can be distracting. That's the photo in the middle. 3?? Knees together with legs crossed at the ankle is a pretty safe way to be seated on a platform. You will feel in control, and you will look confident. That's the photo on the right. 4?? Sit up tall with shoulders back. You will appear more authoritative, and you will be able to get the breath support needed to speak with a strong and resonant voice. 5?? Remember to look interested when others are speaking! I've seen many cases of someone staring off at the ceiling or even scowling while seated on a platform during someone else's speaking turn. Many of you know me and know that I am quite firmly focused on content when I'm coaching speakers. These suggestions might seem frivolous, but the bottom line is that confidence matters, both feeling it and conveying it. I can't believe I went there with this post, and I'm feeling a little exposed by the photos, so I sure hope this helps someone out there! #nonverbalcommunication #communication #presentationskills

?? "Lisa is a true ray of sunshine" ?? This is a snippet of the feedback we received from one of Lisa Richard's recent #coaching clients. Are you or someone you know looking for insightful, personalized feedback and actionable tips so you can see improvements immediately? Our 1-1 coaching may be the solution. Let's chat! Schedule a call: https://lnkd.in/eRUukDfx Text on photo of Lisa Richard: "My coaching engagement with Lisa Richard was AMAZING! She listened to my goals and what I wanted to improve upon. The best part about working with Lisa was that she provided tangible tips that I could immediately put into action. Lisa's coaching observations provided incredibly useful insight into how I could improve as a public speaker. Substantively, Lisa helped me understand how to create more engaging presentations and “hook” the audience from the very beginning while feeling more confident, authentic, and relaxed when presenting. Lisa is a true ray of sunshine, and I greatly appreciated her gentle and friendly approach. I could not have asked for a better coach." Molly Reed, Learning and Development Manager at Benesch Law

After each #training program we facilitate, we like to debrief with our clients on what went well and how we can improve, both from the participants' perspective and from our contact who coordinates the training. We *love* when they also have a positive review to share, like this feedback we received after David Henderson recently facilitated 'Elevate Your Professional Presence and Personal Brand.' Interested in an interactive and memorable program? Let's chat! Book a time on our calendar: https://lnkd.in/eRUukDfx Text on photo of David Henderson smiling: "David’s presentation was fantastic. Everyone was on their feet, engaged, and laughing. One of our favorite sessions!" - Cindy Moon, Senior Manager of Attorney Development at Haynes Boone, LLP #clienttestimonial #professionalpresence #professionaldevelopment #personalbrand #attorney #lawyer #lawfirm #biglaw #boutiquelaw