Speaker Dynamics - Own The Room Karin Reed

“Body language can be tricky when you are presenting. Sometimes, you just don't know what to do with yourself, but your body is always speaking,” says Karin Reed. “How do you ensure that your body is saying what you want it to?” she asks. In this episode, Karin explains the critical role of body language during presentations. She opens with a common dilemma faced by speakers—what to do with their hands—and shares insights from her coaching experiences. She challenges the advice of keeping hands at one’s sides, advocating instead for natural gestures that complement and reinforce the speaker’s message.
 
Karin emphasizes the importance of not overthinking gestures, noting that focusing on the presentation content will naturally lead to appropriate hand movements. She discusses how forced or unnatural gestures can distract the audience and detract from the message.
 
Discussing the use of space, Karin provides actionable advice on adapting gestures for different settings—from virtual presentations, where the camera frames the speaker, to larger, in-person stages. She explains how strategic movement can be used effectively to transition between topics, while recommending that speakers remain still during the delivery of critical points to emphasize their importance.
 
Karin also addresses how to interact with presentation slides effectively. She advises against the distracting use of laser pointers and suggests ways to integrate slides seamlessly into a presentation, ensuring they support rather than overshadow the spoken content.
 
Quotes
“You should not be thinking about what you’re doing with your hands. You should be thinking about what you’re saying because if you are thinking about your message, guess what? Your body is going to respond the way it's supposed to do in a supportive sort of way. Your gestures should be natural. They should not be contrived. They should not be planned out.” (02:16 | Karin Reed)
“Allow yourself to be loose enough to gesture, to allow yourself to be supportive in your body language of what is coming out of your mouth. If you hold yourself stiff, it’s going to have an all over detrimental impact on the way you communicate because we communicate not just with our voice, not just with our words, we communicate with our entire bodies. And if you try to muzzle any aspect of that, it’s going to make you overall a less authentic communicator and then a less effective communicator as a whole.” (04:48 | Karin Reed) 
“The key to gesturing whenever you are presenting, whether it be on camera or off, is to allow yourself to do it. Allow yourself to gesture the way you would naturally, and that’s going to come across best for you and also be supportive of your verbal.” (05:29 | Karin Reed)
 
Links
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“Storytelling with statistics is not difficult, but it is demanding,” says JD Schramm. The distinguished speaker, author, and educator, who has taught at top institutions like Stanford and Columbia, sits down with Karin Reed to tackle a critical challenge in leadership: presenting complex data without succumbing to the dreaded “Death by PowerPoint.”
 
Leaders often fall into common pitfalls when presenting data, such as focusing too much on the message they want to deliver rather than what the audience needs to hear. JD points out the importance of simplifying presentations and avoiding last-minute changes that can overwhelm the speaker. He advocates for using storytelling to make data more relatable and engaging, emphasizing the need to understand the data thoroughly before crafting a narrative around it.
 
Karin and JD explore various techniques to improve slide design, such as reducing unnecessary complexity and using clear, concise headlines. JD offers practical tips on making data visually appealing and easy to understand, such as preferring bar charts over pie charts for clearer comparisons. He also addresses the strategic use of animations and the importance of visually guiding the audience through the data.
 
This episode provides advice on how leaders can identify and craft their stories, beginning with understanding the audience’s needs and the desired outcomes of the presentation. JD stresses the significance of thorough preparation, likening the process to an iceberg where much of the work remains unseen but is crucial for a successful presentation.
 
Quotes
“One of the most persuasive elements is authenticity. If a leader can authentically represent their passion, their proposal, their vision, or their ideas, that oftentimes can be as effective or more effective than polished presentation skills. And that’s why I believe it is something that’s available to everyone.” (02:12 | JD Schramm)
“What gets in the way of many leaders in their own mind is they’re so focused on the message they want to deliver that they don’t slow down to think about what’s the message this group needs to hear.” (03:46 | JD Schramm)
“Once you understand the data, then you have to take that data and make it understandable to the rest of us in a very short amount of time. And that's where the storytelling adds huge value.” (05:48 | JD Schramm) 
“If we think of the analogy of the iceberg, 90% of it is underwater and only 10% shows up above the water surface. Well, when we think of preparing for a major presentation that’s going to have data stories inside of it, it’s going to have slides inside of it. The work that you do to get ready for the slides that you do show, that’s all below the surface. Those are the slides that are in the appendix. Those are the jokes I didn’t tell. Those are the elements that just didn’t fit in when they said your 10 minutes is now 5 minutes. But the iceberg that shows up above the surface, that’s what the audience sees. That’s what they ideally hear, see, and remember, and they take action on.” (13:40 | JD Schramm) 
“Storytelling with statistics is not difficult, but it is demanding. So what you ultimately will come up with may have taken you several meetings with your team or several rehearsals with your coach. And when you finally get it, you go, ‘That's all they need?’ But it’s the journey you need to go on to get that data story in a way that’s accessible to your team, to your audience, and actionable by them. So it’s not difficult, but it is demanding because you have to keep thinking, what’s the question under the question? What’s the action I want to see them take?” (25:34 | JD Schramm) 
 
Links
Connect with JD Schramm:
Subscribe to JD's free newsletter, communication matters at https://jdschramm.substack.com/
Explore his books and other services at https://jdschramm.com/

Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com

"Being a fantastic speaker doesn't necessarily mean your audience will remember what you say," Karin Reed explains as she emphasizes the importance of structured communication to ensure the audience not only enjoys the presentation but also retains the key messages.
 
Karin shares an anecdote from a conference where a renowned, technically proficient keynote speaker delivered a polished but ultimately forgettable presentation. This serves to underline her primary point: the necessity of creating content that truly resonates and provides tangible value.
 
To help speakers enhance message retention, Karin introduces her “content framework” based on the “rule of three.” This method builds on the concept that people best understand and remember information when it is presented in simple, patterned groups of three. Given that audiences generally remember only a fraction of what they hear, distilling and organizing key messages using this structure is vital.
 
Listeners will discover how to apply the rule of three by formulating a core message and supporting it with three distinct points. Karin provides variations of this framework for different contexts, such as pitching an idea or navigating change, and she encourages listeners to adapt these techniques to their personal speaking style.
 
The episode also covers effective strategies for starting and ending talks. Karin suggests beginning with an “unexpected open” to captivate the audience immediately and concluding with an "emotional close" that leaves a strong, lasting impression and motivates action. Practical tips for implementing these techniques are provided throughout the discussion.
 
Quotes
“Your job is to deliver a message that's valuable and ensure that it is understood by your audience. You want to focus on the audience and their needs, not on how much you are entertaining them.” (04:44 | Karin Reed) 
“Are they understanding what you're saying? Are they getting it? Are you leaving them with something that is valuable?” (05:17 | Karin Reed)
“It's really important that you simplify your message. Why? Because people are terrible listeners. All of us are really bad listeners. In fact, research indicates that right after we've had a conversation with somebody, right afterwards, we remember only half of what was said to us. We want them to remember the key takeaways.” (06:29 | Karin Reed) 
“If your goal is to have them take action, ask yourself, ‘What can I say to them that will make them say yes?’ Sometimes that means pulling the right emotional trigger—the thing that's going to motivate them to agree with what you are wanting them to do. Think about your audience, think about what they care about, and then make sure that your final words are playing to that emotional trigger. Make it relevant to them. Perhaps even consider using a ‘what's in it for me’ statement, because they'll certainly care about that. And then plan it out in advance because you want to finish strong. You don't want to finish with a whimper. (24:55 | Karin Reed) 
 
Links
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
 
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Jenn Chase, CMO at SAS, trades the ice rink for the boardroom as she opens up to Karin Reed on the Speaker Dynamics podcast about her unique path to leadership. Their discussion dives into the critical connection between leadership and communication, shedding light on how a leader’s message resonates within the confines of their team and echoes throughout the broader business landscape.
 
Jenn talks about SAS's leading role in data and AI, stressing the key role communication plays in linking the company's past achievements with its current projects and future goals. She discusses her twin responsibilities: boosting morale among her team and defining the company's image to the outside world.
 
Reflecting on her time as a competitive figure skater, Jenn explains how lessons in performance, practice, and handling feedback have shaped her approach to communication. She highlights that thorough preparation for presentations is her strategy against feeling like an imposter.
 
In their conversation, Karin and Jenn touch on the challenge of breaking down complex ideas for diverse audiences and ensuring messages are accessible and engaging across different cultures. Jenn talks about the importance of feedback in creating an environment where honest critique is valued and used to improve communication skills.
 
The episode is particularly insightful for leaders who are reluctant to step into the spotlight. Jenn encourages them to see speaking opportunities as chances to share their unique insights and stories. She points out that being well-prepared is key to speaking confidently and effectively, offering practical advice for anyone looking to leave a mark through their communication.
 
Quotes
"Preparation is an antidote to imposter syndrome." (06:28 | Jenn Chase)
"To lead is to communicate. You can't take those two things apart. If you're going to be a leader, you have to be prepared to communicate." (08:33 | Jenn Chase)
"The higher up you get, the more information is curated before it gets to you. And people might be afraid to give you feedback. And so I have worked really hard to cultivate an environment where people are comfortable giving me feedback." (18:18 | Jenn Chase) 
"You have to remember as a leader, whether you're a leader today or aspiring to be a leader, you have a perspective and people want to hear it. So you can make a difference by communicating and sharing your perspective." (23:10 | Jenn Chase)
"Success is where preparation and opportunity meet, and you can create both of those. And you have to prepare." (24:34 | Jenn Chase)
 
Links
Connect with Jenn Chase:
Website: sas.com
 
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
 
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

In crucial conversations, we often become our own worst critics, caught between the voice that speaks out loud and another that judges us internally. This internal conflict can derail us in how we communicate. However, effective strategies exist to manage it. Emmy-winning broadcast journalist and communication thought leader Karin Reed highlights the critical role of being fully present during communication, especially in high-stakes situations. She discusses the complexities of internal and external distractions that can lead to what she calls “brain cramps.”
 
Citing Rick Perry's unforgettable debate lapse and Michael Bay's stage mishap at CES as examples, Karin explains how an overpowering inner critic can disrupt our flow of thoughts.  A solution to this is a twofold approach: thorough preparation and the clever use of “presentation helpers” to maintain focus. Beyond the mechanics of speech, she advocates for the power of active listening. She introduces listeners to author Robert Bolton's concept of listening skills clusters–a method that enhances our engagement with the speaker and solidifies our presence, turning communication into a bridge rather than a barrier.
 
Listeners are invited to participate in a challenge Karin calls “Be Present Bingo,” a fun and meaningful exercise aimed to help you improve your ability to stay present, available for download here.
 
If you're looking to elevate your communication skills, tune in to this episode of Speaker Dynamics: Own The Room that offers actionable strategies to help you practice active listening and to stay present in every interaction.
 
Quotes
"We start judging everything that we are saying and doing in ways that may not even be apparent to our audience, but it could put us potentially at risk for a brain cramp. So a brain cramp is where you forget your train of thought, you forget something that you can't imagine ever forgetting. And it's because we have these two voices in our heads, and we're in a high-stakes situation, and we want to do well." (02:04 | Karin Reed) 
"Force yourself to stay in the moment, because if you start dividing your attention between what you think might be happening and what is happening in the moment, then you really are at risk of not doing a great job in how you're communicating, how you're presenting, how you're performing." (05:59 | Karin Reed) 
"Not being present for the entire question being asked can be a problem. Because first, you may not answer the actual question. Maybe your answer is the one that relates to the first half of the question, but doesn't relate to the second half of the question. Or you may miss out on uncovering a potential issue that was suggested in the second half of the question that you didn't hear because you were too busy thinking about how you were going to respond to the first half." (12:27 | Karin Reed)
"One of my favorite things that I like to ask people to do whenever they are hearing a question is to actively listen. And active listening is an intentional skill. That's not something that most of us do innately. We hear things, which is a passive act, but actively listening, I guess passive act doesn't make sense, but we're passively hearing what is being said to us. Active listening is where you're really working to understand the meaning of what is being said, the message that is being said to you." (13:07 | Karin Reed) 
"Active listening does take work, and it certainly takes intention, but it can make all the difference in your interactions, both personally and professionally. It forces you to stay present and potentially avoid some verbal gaffes.” (19:56 | Karin Reed)
 
Links
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/

Podcast production and show notes p

Imagine you are leading a team where every member is as passionate about the company's impact as you are. Host Karin Reed discusses challenging traditional leadership narratives with guest Lisa Earle McLeod, a global expert on purpose-driven business and bestselling author of “Selling with Noble Purpose” and "Leading with Noble Purpose.” In this episode of Speaker Dynamics: Own the Room, they explore the transformative power of leading with a noble purpose, where Lisa talks about how important it is for leaders to tell “meaning stories” not just “money stories.” 
 
Lisa explains the concept of a noble purpose – a motivating factor for companies to enhance their customers' lives beyond mere transactions. This episode peels back the layers on why focusing solely on metrics misses the mark if it doesn't directly contribute to customer well-being.
 
Listeners will gain an insider's look into how leaders can effectively embody and communicate this noble purpose by using real-life stories to incorporate a sense of empathy and passion within their teams. The discussion reveals how creating a narrative centered around the organization's customer impact not only sets a company apart in the marketplace but also skyrockets employee engagement.
 
For anyone leading a team or looking to make a genuine difference through their work, this episode promises actionable strategies, invaluable insights, and a compelling reason to rethink what truly motivates us. Discover how to turn your organization's focus outward, creating a culture where making money and making a difference go hand in hand.
 
Quotes
“Noble purpose doesn't mean tolerating low performance. It means setting the bar very high because the work we do here actually matters.” (25:30 | Lisa McLeod)
“You don't have to choose between making money and making a difference. If customers are buying from you, what you're doing is helping them. And you don't need to buy into this false dichotomy that noble purpose is for the social workers and surgeons of the world. You don't have to choose between making money and making a difference. You deserve both. You can have both. And we all deserve that.” (26:05 | Lisa McLeod) 
“One of the things that leaders often get accused of is talking out of both sides of their mouths. And leaders are afraid if they talk about the meaning and significance of the business, that people will think they don't care about the money. So you got to take that off the table. You have to say, I care about making a difference to our customers. I care about you all. And I also need to care about the money. And so when I talk about purpose and noble purpose and making a difference, that doesn't mean that I don't care about the money. If the money doesn't work, we don't have jobs. And oh, by the way, humans are complex. We can care about more than one thing at a time.” (22:57 | Lisa McLeod)
 
Links
Connect with Lisa Earle McLeod:
Website: http://www.mcleodandmore.com/

Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm