Seek Help – Everyone Needs Encouragement
My wife, Jean, spoke to me about Niall Quinn’s interview with Brendan O’Connor on his radio show after dinner the other evening. In the interview, Niall spoke about his first trial with the English club Fulham and how he was told by the manager that he was just a long drink of water and would never […]
The Gift of the Gab – it can be taught like any other topic!
My article this week is about the Trinity Business School’s 100-year celebration and the TEDx event they hosted, entitled “Change 101”. What were my observations about the TEDx event? Trinity Business School spared no expense in supporting the TEDx event. The TBS team appointed to lead the project did so with gusto. Their task was to ensure that the event went off without a hitch, and it did. My […]
World Storytelling Day 20th March 2026 – My Contribution
On Friday morning last, it popped up on my Facebook page (that I rarely visit) that this day was World Storytelling Day. My head immediately flooded with stories that my mother used to tell us when we were children. Mostly, I remember sitting around an open fire. We did not have much money, and my father was away in England […]
Zelenskyy and Carney: Two Leaders, One Compelling Speaking Template
In my recent article, I spoke to you about Mark Carney’s wonderful talk at Davos and explained the structure he used to deliver it. Now let me tell you about how Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s talk used the same format in his emotional appeal to Europe and the World for help for his people. His opening lines […]
5 Steps to a Truly Magnificent Speech: Lessons from Mark Carney
Did you watch Mark Carney’s presentation last week at Davos? No, is probably your answer, you watched the selected clips on the TV or online. I would strongly advise you to watch this powerful presentation; it’s only 16 minutes long. Truly magnificent! Mark was inspiring, courageous and lived the values that he spoke to us […]
What does the Christmas Break do for You?
For me, it’s a time to wind down and slow down. A time to do some creative stuff, e.g., read the book on your bedside locker that you’ve been promising to read, or the book you will be given as a present. I recently joined a book club and have read and enjoyed books I […]
Will Keepie Uppies Make You a Better Speaker?
Did Keepie Uppies win the election for Catherine Connelly? No, but the video clip going viral helped. It garnered 2 million views and kept her name in people’s minds. So why did she win the election? In my view, the reason she won was that she set out to win, starting her election campaign months […]
Speakers – don’t seek perfection, seek Believable!
The following is an extract from an interview with Rory McIlroy on how conversations with Bob Rotella have helped his game. “We are talking about not getting too much into results and outcomes, we talk about trying to chase a feeling on the golf course. Like if you’re on the golf course, what way do […]
How to Pitch to Increase Your Sales & Funding Opportunities
Recently, I attended a Pitch event and listened to four entrepreneurs present their business ideas. Of these businesses, three already had revenue. In my experience, the best presenter is more likely to win the pitch competition, because they will be remembered long after the other pitches are forgotten. You win by being the best communicator […]
Why Are You Angry?
Why, as a country and a people, have we become agitated and angry? As a nation, we need to chill out a bit more. Our laid-back attitude is the reason people like visiting Ireland and engaging with us both personally and in business. Our welcome has always been what sets us apart from other nations. […]