Video: Busting the Mehrabian Myth

The "7% 38% 55%" rule often gets misrepresented by "communication experts" who didn't do their homework. This short video puts a refreshing view on the work of Albert Mehrabian.

Hint: Yes Mehrabian did report those numbers - but he never said that they represent the message or communication. He was measuring likeability.

Enjoy the video.


Albert Mehrabian's Website

Silent Messages - the book in which Mehrabian published his famous numbers.

Read my post about this myth from August 2006.


George Torok
Presentation Skills Coaching
The Speech Coach for Executives


Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.

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Begin with more confidence

Power Presentations Tips 23:

Begin with more confidence

Many presenters have confessed to me that if they can survive through the first few minutes of their presentation - then they will feel alright. It's just the beginning that they dread.

That's a risky way to approach your presentation because the opening is so important. Decisions are being made about you and your message in those opening seconds.

How can you feel and look more confident from your first word?

Your Introduction
Sit or stand proud while you are being introduced. While the audience is listening to your introduction - which should briefly confirm your qualifications for this topic - your audience will study you. They will be checking to see if the picture matches the words. This is not the time to feign humility or look nervous. Look proud while your achievements are listed.

You might not always have a formal introduction. However any introduction should be used to your benefit. Caution: Look proud and confident but not pompous and arrogant.

Start Slowly
Start your presentation very slowly. Speak slower than normal. You might feel a bit awkward but with practice you will get it right. There are three reasons to start slowly:

1. This will help you stay calm. Speaking slowly will force you to breathe slower and that calms you.

2. Your audience will have a better chance to tune into your voice. This is especially relevant when they don't know you and/or you have an accent that sounds different from their norm.

3. Speaking slowly will deepen your voice. That makes it easier to hear and conveys more confidence.

Say something positive
If you start with a positive statement your audience will go with you. If you are feeling nervous then this is the one time that you are allowed to tell a lie. That lie is, "I'm happy to be here today." You might not feel that way at the time but if you state it with enough conviction you might persuade your audience and yourself of that constructive white lie.

George Torok
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Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.

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Killer Presentation Skills

Killer Presentations Skills

Public speaker, Doug Jefrrerys, delivers a delightful presentation on the topic of effective presentation skills. He offers many tips and anedotes in this video. It's instructional, entertaining and easy to digest.




George Torok
Presentation Skills Training
Presentation Skills Coaching
Power Presentations Tips


Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.

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Presentation Skills Tips

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Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.

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Commencement Speeches

Enjoy this top 10 list of commencement speeches as posted on Onlinecolleges.net

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Top 10 Commencement Speeches for Tech Lovers

By Kathleen Baker

Listening to or reading transcripts of old commencement speeches is a great way to feel inspired to take chances, start a new career, or find out what truly drives you. These 10 commencement speeches, given by leaders in Internet and computer science technology, engineering, entrepreneurship and beyond, are terrific for technology lovers who need a little extra insight into how scientists and techies can change the world.

Steve Jobs at Stanford, 2005:
Computer science geeks and Apple lovers who worship Steve Jobs will relish in this moving, inspirational speech from Steve Jobs, who never graduated from college. He talks about quitting, being adopted, and finding your purpose in life.


Bill Gates at Harvard, 2007:
Bill Gates is one of the ultimate techie heroes, and he returns to Harvard in 2007 to deliver the commencement address and receive his own degree. Gates prods graduates to consider how they can do the greatest good to help communities around the world, pulling from his own philanthropic efforts to relieve sick children from poverty-stricken nations.


Omid Kordestani at San Jose State University, 2007:
At the time of this speech, Omid Kordestani was still the Senior Vice President for Worldwide Sales and Field Operations for Google. The handsome Iran-born MBA’s cheerful delivery meshes well with his own background story, which details the events that brought him to the United States.


Larry Page at University of Michigan, 2009:
Google co-founder Larry Page speaks to the University of Michigan class of 2009 about his own family’s legacy at the school. Through his story, Page also comments on the notion of the American dream, family values and creating your own path.


Read the rest of the Top Ten list at OnLineColleges.net



Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.

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