Leon Sergent

Have you ever felt a slight drop in energy and enthusiasm in the room as soon as slides containing bulleted lists appear on the screen? Last Thursday, during a presentation to professionals in the manufacturing field, I found myself getting tired of the content I was presenting. Surprised that I would admit to this? I can't blame my listeners for having these same sensations. Not that the subject was boring, nor that I am not the designer of this content, nor that the speech took place after a hearty lunch, nor that I wasn't at the top of my game. The cause? Bullets! An abundance of bullets. It's time to bring them to heel! Here are three ideas to eliminate or reduce their number: More… »Let's declare war on bullets! Three fixes.

For more than 25 years as a stakeholder in the Learning and and Development space, it appears to me that not all learning subject matters have the same observable returns. Some subject matters have an impact that is more difficult to measure over a longer period; others have a more immediate impact. If there is one investment in training that, in my opinion, allows for immediate and lasting change, it is that of business presentation skills, and here are the reasons:

Here are 5 more things or phrases that public speakers might consider to stop using, the reasons, and the alternatives.

I attend a lot of virtual and in-person presentations. I see a lot more than the average person, because it's my job. There are five things I hear during these presentations that presenters and speakers should stop saying, and here are the reasons to change those habits. More… »The 5 "silly things" I hear the most during presentations and how to correct them.

Natural talent. A sham? There is a popular belief that some people have a natural talent for public speaking. In my experience as a trainer and coach in business presentation professionals, it appears that natural talent, if any, has an expiration date for some or, for others, is of limited contribution to their professional development in their communication skills. Indeed, the natural inclination of some, in their first years of life, is of little use later in their professional career; Or this natural propensity does not serve them well in more complex business or technical presentations where the strategic stakes are high. More… »Natural talent? The best are trained.

I feel fortunate to help high-calibre professionals develop their communication skills in public. Many of them have extraordinary professional and personal backgrounds and the life lessons I have learned by working with them over the years are priceless. More… »I have an accent! 7 ideas to consider to get your point across.

Last week, I witnessed somebody skidding off the road! A presenter inadvertently defied a rule that every seasoned speaker has known for a long time. Unfortunately, what was supposed to happen, happened. The presenter froze in front of her team and could not restart. The cause of the accident? She had memorized her presentation word-for-word! Sometimes you just have to experience it for yourself. Here are the symptoms, causes and remedies: More… »Why memorizing your presentation could be perilous... and tips to avoid the worst.

Of course, we've all heard of the professional athletes who refuse to shave their beards before the playoffs are over or put on their lucky socks before the championship game. Performing artists also have their little obsessions to ward off fate before entering the stage. And even if there is no scientific and logical evidence for superstitions, could there be lessons to be learned from the habits of these professionals before your next presentation? Here are 5 ideas to incorporate into your preparation. More… »Public Speaking-Are You Superstitious? 5 ideas to try.

You've probably noticed that some speakers can't help but season their speech with um, uh, and words like like, honestly, uh good, and uh good, and other filler words. If you're that host or speaker who relies a little too often on those crutches, the consequences on your performance are more significant than you think. More… »How to get rid of those dreaded fillers when we speak.

Comment ne pas idéaliser l’abnégation de ces athlètes olympiques, qui travaillent sans relâche pendant quatre ans pour offrir, au monde entier, une performance qui repoussera les limites physiques du corps humain. Si leur capacité de dépassement de soi est un idéal à suivre pour plusieurs d’entre nous, ce n’est pas… More… »Communicating in public is a sport!