Steal the Show With Your Business Stories

Master the Art of Presentation

Do you find yourself breaking out in a cold sweat whenever you’re faced with a boardroom full of expectant faces? Do you detest public speaking and presentations?

Labeled “a public speaking phenom,” New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Michael Port joins the Business of Story podcast to shed some light on a professional actor’s approach to business storytelling.

Michael’s story involves his unique application of the acting experience to his coaching work, assisting speakers and business leaders around the world to craft and deliver their stories.

He hasn’t earned the title of “best public speaking coach in the world” for nothing.

Michael is the author of six books and has been featured in the Boston Globe, the Wall Street Journal, MSNBC, PBS, and more. He and his partner/wife have even created an online paradise of public speaking resources, HeroicPublicSpeaking.com, where they offer courses, materials, access to keynotes and lectures, and a whole host of tools to help students, business leaders, and speakers the world over reach their fullest public speaking potential.

In This Episode

The five essential story elements of any great presentation
Why it’s important follow the three act story structure in your presentations
Michael’s five immediately actionable presentation techniques
How to own the stage
Michael’s detailed rehearsal process
Dealing with imposter syndrome when delivering your stories
50 actionable tips to craft your business story

Quotes From This Episode

“There are certain people that your stories are meant to serve and others that they’re not. Your job is to do everything in your power to reach the people you’re meant to serve. The voice that you bring to your work, the unique perspective that you bring to your work will be consumed by the people that need it.” —@michaelport

“One of the reasons that we get so nervous when presenting is that we want approval. We fear that if we get up and stand up in front of other people and share our views, the way we see the world, what we know, we may get rejected.” —@michaelport

“It weakens you to pretend that you are something other than what you are, or that you do not have weaknesses. When you are comfortable with your weaknesses, when you’re comfortable with your failures, when you’re comfortable with the imperfection that is humanness, then you feel more secure because nobody can hurt you.” —@michaelport

“Write the way you speak. That’s not really how we’re taught. We’re taught to write more academically. If anything that I’m writing starts to sound academic, or weighty, or heady, or overly intellectual, then I check myself.” —@michaelport

“Preparation, rehearsal, when coupled with improvisation produces spontaneity. That’s what an audience is looking for.” —@michaelport