As a professional, you’ll likely be called upon to deliver a high-stakes presentation. Depending on your job, the presentation could be in front of a small group, a large crowd, or these days, even be virtual. Regardless of your…
Delivering an impactful sales pitch is a critical part of running a successful business. Without sales, your business simply can’t grow. And to make money, you must be able to promote your goods and services effectively. A strong sales…
Zoom presentations require a different set of skills than do in-person presentations. Even if you’re an experienced presenter, you may feel slightly nervous, anxious, or uneasy about presenting virtually. While Zoom presentations may sound like they’re easier to plan…
Over the past year and a half, the public speaking landscape has undergone a massive transformation. Prior to the pandemic, public speaking events were largely traditional in nature. The presenter and audience would gather in an indoor or outdoor…
Public speaking has become a vital skill. Even if your job doesn’t involve presentations and speeches, it’s important to know how to communicate your ideas and be heard. Don’t know how to become good at public speaking? Here are…
The professional public speaking industry in the US generated $1.9 billion in 2019 and is expected to generate $2.3 billion by 2025. Given these numbers, it may seem both exciting and daunting to break into the professional public speaking…
In response to COVID-19, virtual meetings and presentations have quickly become the new norm. Here are a few tips to help you succeed in a virtual environment. Try these techniques during your next Zoom, Skype, or Teams meeting. Don’t…
Every time you deliver a speech, you are, in fact, leading. Whether you are a student, an executive, a politician, or a professor, you must lead your audience toward a particular objective. Your job isn’t simply to communicate ideas…
Language and rhetoric are powerful tools for leaders who want to inspire their listeners to take action. Let’s explore specific strategies that leaders use to motivate others and convey possibility. Many people think about persuasion in terms of convincing…
The key to delivering a successful speech is showing your audience members that you care about them. You don’t want listeners to view you as a salesperson pitching a product. You want them to see you as a leader…
Filler words often seem to … um … get in the way. These verbal crutches may seem natural in everyday speech, but they do not belong in formal presentations or speeches. Powerful public speakers work hard to eliminate words…
Most speakers are not naturally at ease in front of an audience. In fact, many people are downright afraid of speaking in public. But when you ask these people why they feel nervous, you quickly learn that they are…
I was quoted in a Vanity Fair article on Joe Biden’s verbal ticks during last night’s presidential debate. Here is an excerpt: For high school debate coaches and public speaking experts, Biden broke two cardinal rules: first, avoid filler…
I want to help you lose the “um” … and the “er,” “like,” and “you know” while you’re at it … for your own sake. “Um” and other tentative terms are what I describe as “filler words,” often used…
I was interviewed for an NBC News video on why we use filler words and how to avoid them. My interview segment begins at the 1:33 mark. “Filler words such as ‘umm’ are ubiquitous across cultures and languages. Research…
In business, good communicators are able to grab attention, motivate action, and create lasting impact. Whether you’re a rising manager vying for a promotion or a small business owner trying to grow your client base, Johns Hopkins Carey Business…
In a new post on the Harvard Extension School blog, I discuss two ways to overcome nervousness before an important presentation: visualize and rehearse. Dr. Steven Cohen Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed my thoughts on…
I was quoted in an article on Inc.com about the importance of pausing regularly when talking. Here is an excerpt: Award-winning speaker Steven D. Cohen of Harvard University acknowledges the cognitive value of fillers. But as Toastmasters…
I was quoted in a Harvard Crimson article about the role of spoken rhetoric in the liberal arts curriculum. Here is an excerpt: So what is spoken rhetoric anyway? An art? A practical skill? Steven D. Cohen, who holds a faculty appointment at…
I was quoted in an article on CheatSheet.com about the 11 words you should never say if you want credibility. Here is an excerpt: Uh, um, like Filler words like these make you sound dumb and kill your credibility in…
My research is quoted extensively in a Huffington Post article that calls for Trump supporters and Trump opponents to listen to one another. As the author notes, “We should listen as long as it takes. We should listen as…
I was quoted in an article on Inc.com about 18 things to avoid saying to make a good first impression. Here is an excerpt: “Um” or “Uh” Those are filler words that we often utter either in the beginning of a…
I was quoted in a popular article in Quartz on learning how to use filler words better. (UPDATE: My comments on filler words also were published in New York Magazine and Lifehacker.) Here is an excerpt: This is not…
I was interviewed for an article in BBC News on eliminating filler words in business conversations and meetings. Here is an excerpt: “We are so comfortable with our own vocal tendencies that we often overlook them,” said Steven Cohen, assistant…
I am offering several executive education programs this summer to help professionals take their public speaking skills to the next level. June 13th & 14th Introduction to Public Speaking: Effective Presentation Skills Harvard Division of Continuing…
I was interviewed for an article in Baltimore Magazine on the impact of communication and body language in the presidential race. Here is an excerpt: Carson’s soft-spoken, “low-key” demeanor, derided by some, and regularly by MSNBC’s Joe…
I was interviewed for an article in Slate on the importance of taking a public speaking class. As Nicholas Duchesne (who took one of my courses) explains in the article, “a public speaking class can help you land a job…
I am offering several professional development programs this summer at Harvard University: Delivering Effective Presentations June 15th & 16th, 2015 / August 3rd & 4th, 2015 Whether your goal is to inform, persuade, sell, or inspire, your presentation…
I offer some tips and tricks on speaking like a pro in the December issue of Student Health 101. Here is an excerpt of the article: Nail-biting? Check. Unavoidable? Check. Public speaking is likely in your future, whether you’ll be making a…
I invite you to learn about my interest in magic in the latest issue of University of Baltimore Magazine. After reading the article, make sure to check out the Web Extra. Who knows? I may have a trick or two up my sleeve.…
The key to delivering a successful speech is showing your audience members that you care about them. You don’t want listeners to view you as a salesperson pitching a product. You want them to see you as a leader…
I was interviewed for an article in The Baltimore Sun on University of Baltimore’s next president, Kurt L. Schmoke. Here is an excerpt: “He’s somebody that seems to embrace the unexpected, he’s an inclusive leader, and I really get a…
I am offering an interactive workshop at the University of Baltimore to empower students and professionals to communicate as leaders. The workshop, “Communication Matters: Using Your Voice to Lead,” will focus on using…
The Harvard Division of Continuing Education recently released a new promotional video on my two-day seminar, “The Art of Persuasion: Influence at Work.” In this video, I discuss the importance of: – Managing first impressions –
I am offering a two-day program on persuasion on April 7th & 8th, July 14th & 15th, and August 11th & 12th. In this program, we go “inside” the art of persuasion in an attempt to understand how and why it works. We…
Check out my new post, Assessing and Improving Your Public Speaking Skills. It is also posted on the Harvard Division of Continuing Education blog, “The Language of Business.” Dr. Steven Cohen Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed…
On September 23rd & 24th, I will be teaching a two-day seminar through the Harvard Division of Continuing Education called “The Art of Persuasion: Influence at Work.” This seminar is ideal for managers, executives, and politicians who…
I was interviewed as part of the BBC Radio 4 documentary, “Churchill’s Secret Cabinet” (which originally aired on July 6th). My commentary on the music of Sir Winston Churchill’s rhetoric begins at the 48:11 mark. Here is an excerpt from…
My latest book, On the Path to Success: Readings and Resources, is now available on Amazon. This edited collection features thought-provoking articles on the art and practice of public speaking. The collection challenges students to think…
I was interviewed for an article in The Baltimore Sun on giving a memorable commencement speech. Here is an excerpt: Expectations are high for this year’s commencement speakers at Maryland universities — an august crew that…
Have you ever gotten nervous before an important speech? Click here to watch me offer a brief tip on “How to Calm Your Nerves.” Dr. Steven Cohen Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed my thoughts on communication. Ready to…
Harvard Extension School recently interviewed me for an Inside Extension video feature. Click here to watch me discuss “3 Tips to Overcome the Fear of Public Speaking.” Dr. Steven Cohen Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed my thoughts on communication. Ready to take…
I was interviewed for an article in the Financial Times on the subtle secrets of charisma. Here is an excerpt: Tapping into rhythms of speech and developing an appreciation of what is easy on the ear are important, says Steven…