Story Telling is a powerful way to open up presentations, leadership messages and meetings of all kinds.  Telling the right story produces astonishing results for you as a speaker and leader. If you’re not sure what a story is, it’s just what happened. That means it involves human beings doing or experiencing something. In case you don’t […]

Today, Sunday, March 23, 2014, The Houston Chronicle Jobs Section is printing an article entitled “Public Speaking an Important Career Tool.” This article written by Emilia Benton, a copy editor from the Special Publications of Houston Chronicle Media Group, features some of my ideas about the value of public speaking skills for career development. Ms. Benton […]

As we lay Nelson Mandela to rest this past week, here is a lovely TED talk story told by Boyd Varty, a man who met Mandela as a child. To learn to tell your valuable and inspiring stories, join my speaking group classes at Self-Expression Center or coaching via Skype. I am Sandra Zimmer, author […]

I have read in esoteric spiritual books that the most transformational activity for humanity is self-expression. I have spent my life testing that theory. In my early twenties, I was driven to self-express through acting. Although I was not a great actress, the training I received in acting and singing techniques freed me from some rigidity and […]

Speaking in groups and meetings is an essential skill for every business professional. You are expected to be able to share your ideas, expertise and experience to contribute to your company’s success. If you can’t speak up and speak out, you hit a glass ceiling past which you can’t advance in your company. So, how […]

Do you really want to make a difference?  It’s easy!  You don’t have to start a non-profit, give up your day job and travel to Africa to live among the poor or sell all your worldly possessions and donate the proceeds to a charity.  All you have to do is tell someone he is good […]

I just read an excellent blog post by Frenetta Tate MBA called The Seven Success Characteristics of Inspirational Leadership.  Ms. Tate identified a powerful set of qualities that leaders who inspire others possess.  They are: 1. The Crusader 2. The Connector 3. The Innovator 4. The Encourager 5. The Coach 6. The Builder 7. The […]

I had never seen Steve Jobs talk before; but after he died, I heard lots of people rave about the way he spoke in public. It seemed like many people thought he was the epitome of a great speaker. Then I began reading his biography Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. Before even finishing a quarter […]

 For the umpteenth time, a client shared his story about being in a meeting, having an idea and not sharing it outloud. His point, of course, was that twenty minutes later, a co-worker voiced that same idea and everyone applauded! Do you find yourself in meetings thinking a great idea but holding it back because you […]

I am a huge fan of Thomas Friedman.  He articulates clearly what I can’t always think for myself.  When I can’t quite clarify my thoughts about global situations, Friedman will say it in a way that makes me sigh, “Yes, that’s it!” In case you don’t know who Thomas Friedman is, he is a columnist […]