Three Steps to Improve Your Tools of Communication and Persuasion
Regardless of your skill level, you can improve as:
an advocate;
a witness;
a speaker;
or in your everyday contact with people.
Create a more natural, confident, persuasive you by more effective use of:
voice;
gestures; and,
body language.
Practice, practice, practice and you will improve.
A working actor and experienced trial and appellate lawyer, Harry Zimmerman helps people improve these communication tools with:
simple exercises;
improvisation techniques;
video sessions; and
tips from his own practice and experience.
Use of Voice
Regardless of your education level and background, you might have bad vocal habits. The use of filler words destroys your credibility, distracts your audience, and prevents persuasive and effective communication of your message.
Watch this clip during Caroline Kennedy's brief 2009 bid to replace Hillary Clinton as a United States Senator from New York. One reason for abandoning her effort may have been her ineffective and much-criticized speaking style, as evidenced by the clip to the right.
For a complete transcript of Caroline Kennedy's N.Y. Times Interview click here.
Use of Body
This is the fig leaf position--acknowledged by experts as a weak, small, and unconfident position. Even award-winning rappers, actors, and entrepeneurs like Ludacris can fall prey to bad body language from time to time.
Most people are unsure of what to do with their hands. Harry can help you learn how to use your hands and body to communicate your message effectively.
Research shows how three different items contribute to communication of a message:
Words (the literal meaning) account for 7% of the overall message
Tone of voice accounts for 38% of the overall message
Body Language accounts for 55% of the overall message
Lucy Debenham, "Communication - What Percentage is Body Language?"
Clips from one of Harry's recent workshop
Don't let how you use your voice and body or performance anxiety affect how you are perceived!
Preparing for a trial or hearing?
Preparing a speech?
Wanting to improve your persuasive speaking or communication skills?
Looking for a dynamic speaker for your group?
contact Harry today.