Category: Perspective

(Retail) Starbucks was down and (Robby) Starbuck was up. Boeing’s CEO apologized sincerely, vowed solemnly and resigned eventually. Many beleaguered college presidents issued statements about why they’ll issue fewer statements …

The Gettysburg Address was not a ceremonial speech, inevitably bound for a marble wall.  It was a strategy speech, designed to “convince a very skeptical public in the north that …

It’s been a couple weeks since my company finished putting on a virtual seminar called “Executive Presence for Exec Comms Pros,” and I’m still thinking about it.  Obviously, teaching about …

The term “executive presence” didn’t exist three decades ago when I first became acquainted with the joys and sorrows of corporate executive communication professionals. But I would have made fun …

David Armano is a veteran marketing communications agency guy who specializes in digital aspects of comms. Last week I ran across a piece he wrote recommending the AI-ification of exec …

This week, a couple of meditations on writing that works—and how it’s not always the sexiest prose that wins the day. —DM *** When Workmanlike Is Better Than Exquisite My …

Of all the professions where you might expect to find a shadowy gang of shysters, pettifoggers and liar’s-poker sharpers—think horse-trading and used-car dealing—you wouldn’t think public speaking training would rank near the top. …

Every year at the Professional Speechwriters Association’s Speechwriting School, the faculty gets asked: How do I animate and effervesce my wooden, flat speaker? Bring in a speaking coach, we say. …

Because I run the Professional Speechwriters Association, people assume I must write speeches myself. I tell them that I actually hate writing speeches so much, I founded the PSA just to …

A new year’s letter to members of the Professional Speechwriters Association. Figured everyone in the professional rhetoric business could use this, this year. —DM *** Dear PSA Member, Perhaps because …