8 Great Presidential Communicators

Lynda Stucky February 20, 2023 Public Speaking

Some presidents stick out as being great orators. Here are 8 presidents and their greatest communication skills as speakers that we can learn from.

How to Create a Loving Voice

Lynda Stucky February 14, 2023 Develop Your Voice

What’s a loving voice? We all know what an irritated, impatient voice sounds like.  No, that’s not love at all.  When we hear this tone, the voice is very animated, the rate is fast and the rhythm is short and staccato; perhaps the volume has increased, too.  (Think Lisa Simpson.)  It’s so identifiable, isn’t it? And it’s not a good feeling to be on the receiving end of it.

If irritation and impatience are easy to spot in someone’s voice based on a few characteristics of speech, language and voice, what characteristics are present when you hear a friendly, warm and loving voice?  Is it just the opposite of the impatient voice?  Well, let’s take a look…..

The Top 8 Speaking Distractions and How To Fix Them

Lynda Stucky July 16, 2022 Build Your Brand, Develop Language, Develop Your Speech, Develop Your Voice, Online Membership, Public Speaking

Are you trying to persuade someone (or a group) to see your point of view but your 

message seems to allude them?  Working with many clients over the year, there are speaking habits that are detractors and ultimately (but unintentionally) affect the speaker’s credibility.  The speaker may be totally oblivious to the distraction, too, unless they have sought out the feedback or someone has boldly spoken up. Most people don’t give their opinion though as they feel unqualified to do so or they are afraid of offending the person needing the feedback.  Since a lot of distractions occur without knowledge that they exist in the first place, here’s a crash course to help you identify potential issues. This checklist of common distractions are easy to fix with self-awareness and self-monitoring.  Remember that any behavior that causes your audience to think about something else (and not you, the speaker) will take away from your message. As soon as that happens, your credibility suffers.

How to pronounce American English -ed and plural endings

Lynda Stucky February 26, 2022 Online Membership, Reduce a Foreign Accent

Among the many aspects of learning a language, non-native English speakers learn how to pronounce English sounds to become easier to understand.  There are a few “rules” around the way sounds are pronounced. 

Are Vowels or Consonants Easier to Learn?

Lynda Stucky February 26, 2022 Online Membership, Reduce a Foreign Accent

Hands down, vowels are more difficult to learn in American English than consonants.  Why?  Because in American English, most consonants have one sound associated with them whereas, there are five letters in English that represent our vowels system but there are about 22 pronunciations of those vowels.

Breathing Patterns That Affect The Way You Sound

Lynda Stucky August 16, 2021 Develop Your Voice, Million Dollar Speech and Voice

Does your voice as lack depth and luster?  Do you feel tightness in your throat?  Do you repeat yourself frequently because people can’t hear you? You might have a breathing problem.

How to Use Breath Support to Reach Your Full Voice Potential

Lynda Stucky July 30, 2021 Develop Your Voice

Do you tuck your tummy in a bit to make it look tighter?  Does your voice shake before you speak to a group?  Do you slouch in your chair at your desk?  Do you carry a lot of tension in your shoulders, neck and jaw? You are not alone–a lot of us develop bad habits!  And if you do, you probably aren’t using proper breath support which is essential for reaching your full voice potential and having a well-functioning and relaxed sounding voice. As you move towards more in-person meetings and conferences, this is a great time to focus on breathing properly so your voice is clear, loud and effective.

Blog Posts You Don’t Want to Miss on Posture

Lynda Stucky July 17, 2021 Develop Your Voice, Online Membership

I wrote a blog a while back entitled “Posture Yourself for Success”  It is about the positive aspects of good posture on your voice.  I decided to look around for other articles on posture and here are a few to help you with achieving great posture:

Leading with Questions

Lynda Stucky July 12, 2021 Online Membership

When you think about all the characteristics of a great leader, does the ability to ask empowering questions come to mind? Believe it or not there is a way to ask empowering questions and show that you are respectful, listening and caring.

Struggle to Understand A Foreign Accent?

Lynda Stucky November 11, 2020 Online Membership, Reduce a Foreign Accent

Ever heard the phrase “It’s not you, it’s me?” Frequently, it is an excuse that is used by someone in a relationship who is breaking up with the other person.

But the same can be said for the listener who is struggling to understand people speaking with foreign accent…”It’s not you, it’s me!”    The listener has ownership in the problem, too.