The Man Who Made Winston Churchill
Oct 15, 2015
Winston Churchill was once asked on whom or on what he had based his oratorical style. He replied—and I quote—“It was an American statesman who inspired me and taught me …
She Scared the Hell Out of Me (and Made Me Better)
Feb 27, 2023
My former boss died February 18, after battling an aggressive cancer for less than a year. She was brilliant and dedicated and selfless, and had terrifyingly high standards. I respected …
My Electric Speechwriter, and Me
Aug 17, 2023
Prologue, Post-Dated, August 24, 2023 I wrote the piece below before I spoke with the Dutch founders of the speechwriting app Verble, Devin van den Berg and Victor Straatman. In …
Blank page, blue sky
Apr 08, 2015
I get it on the golf course every time I'm paired with a stranger. There's a wait on the fourth tee, and the guy says, "So what do you do …
The State of the EU: Busy
Sep 09, 2015
Mr President, Honourable Members of the European Parliament, Today is the first time during my mandate as President of the European Commission that I have the honour to address this …
BOOK REVIEW: Confessions of a public speaker
Dec 01, 2009
Speaking coach and speechwriter Mike Landrum says book doesn’t live up to its promising title. Not by a long shot.
This Is Why We Created the Executive Communication Awards
May 16, 2023
It wasn’t long ago, when “executive communications” mostly meant helping leaders say the things they were expected to say, on the appointed day, in the usual way. Today’s exec comms …
Resources for Speakers: How to find out if you�re ready for prime time
Nov 30, 2008
Ted.com showcases more than 200 of the best talks by the best presenters at one of the best conferences in the world. Compare these talks to yours.
Everything you ever wanted to know about TED Talks
Jul 10, 2012
New Yorker identifies TED Talks as “a sentimental form” that people use for personal “transport.” It’s the oral-communication phenomenon of our time.
“Employee Communication Is Different”
Mar 21, 2010
Vital Speeches editor David Murray speaks for himself, delivering a provocative lecture on why employee communication is as important to a democratic society as public education.