Leadership communications with Rob Cottingham
by Rob Cottingham
I've worked as a speechwriter, presentation coach and communication strategist—not to mention delivering my share of speeches. From speechwriting and speaking to traditional and social media, here's my best advice on how leaders can communicate to change how audiences see the world.
Episodes
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Ep. 75. Getting back on track
Getting carried off on a tangent in an interview or Q&A session can be risky. At best, you spend the time you wanted to use getting your message across on some other topic. At worst, you end up talking about sensitive, damaging topics that endanger your organization's reputation. This episode, we...
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Ep. 74 Why you need to rehearse — and how
Rehearsal doesn't kill spontaneity — it gives you the confidence that lets you be spontaneous. You don't just know the material: you know its emotional and literal meaning,nd you've made your big choices about how you're going to convey it. If you want to make the most of your speech, you need to...
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Ep. 73 No more boring speaker introductions!
Before a speaker steps up to the microphone, there's usually somebody who introduces them. And that introduction could be helping to set the stage and prime the audience. But too many introductions are just tedious recitals of a speaker's biography. And they're so loooonnnng. Instead of revving…
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Ep. 72 Dana Rubin is Speaking While Female
Pick up a collection of speeches or quotations from history, and chances are most of those voices belong to men. That's changing. More women are claiming their time at the microphone. And it turns out the oratory of the past was a lot more female than many of its curators would have us think. One...
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Ep. 71 Get out of your lane
You've probably heard the expression "stay in your lane." And sometimes that's good advice — but right now, we're facing global emergencies on an unprecedented scale, and we need voices speaking out for truth, democracy, science and our very survival. If you have a platform, you can be one of…
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Ep. 70 Find Your Red Thread with Tamsen Webster
There probably isn't a speechwriter or speaker alive today who hasn't heard the advice "Tell a story." But you want them to do more than listen. You want to tell the kind of story your audience will turn into their story. Crafting that story is the heart Tamsen Webster's terrific new book, Find...
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Ep. 69 Seven deadly sins of online presentation (part two)
Well over a year into remote presentations as the norm, people are getting pretty good at it... but some mistakes are still cropping up again and again. Last time, we looked at four of the seven deadly sins of online presentations. This time we tour the final three... and then we'll look at how…
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Ep. 68 Seven deadly sins of online presentations (part one)
Well over a year into remote presentations as the norm, people are getting pretty good at it... but some mistakes are still cropping up again and again. In this two-episode series, we'll meet the seven deadly sins of online presentations — from not looking at the camera to not knowing your...
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Ep. 67. Avoiding plagiarism: Are your words really your own?
Sure, you and I would never take someone else's writing and pretend it was our own. But not all plagiarism is deliberate. It can be surprisingly easy to steal someone else's words by accident. Plagiarism scandals have caught up leaders ranging from presidential candidates to university officials....
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Ep. 66. Keep the "thought" in thought leadership
So many leadership communications mistakes come down to one thing: not having a clear goal and a roadmap to get there. That's especially true when it comes to areas where leaders aren't as familiar with the subject matter. This episode looks at a high-profile communications failure: an op-ed that...
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Ep. 65. What we've learned from a year of remote presentations
Public speaking has changed a lot in the past year, since conference halls and auditoriums went dark and we traded stages and amplifiers for webcams and video. But those changes can help us be better speakers, when the time comes to return to the stage. Links: My wife Alexandra Samuel has...
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Ep. 64 I now pronounce you... correctly
Mispronouncing someone's name from the stage is a lot more than a minor screwup. Here's why speakers should never go to the mic without knowing the correct pronunciation of every name they mention — and why speechwriters should never let them do it. Links: This episode of KUOW's RadioActive…
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Ep. 63. Less is more, and short is beautiful
Presenting online? Don't make the mistake of thinking longer is better. When you're speaking via video, you want to keep things short. Here's how to embrace short, even when you're scheduled to run long. Links: We spoke to Dr. Nick Morgan back in episode 58. His latest book is Can You Hear Me?…
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Ep. 62. Zoom out! You're more than just another face
If you're spending all day in Zoom meetings, then it's easy to think that speaking by video automatically means showing your head and shoulders... and nothing else. Let's talk about what you (and your audience) are missing by not letting the rest of your body get in on the act. (The bad news?...
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61. Go big AND go home: Why you need to amp up your online energy for work-at-home audiences
You might have thought up-close video would be more intimate than speaking from the stage. But one big thing we're learning from remote presentations is this: You need to bring more energy to your speaking style when your audience is at home in front of their screens. Find out why... and how....
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Ep. 60. The pivot: Mozilla adapts to communicating in the lockdown
This time, we look at how the technology visionaries at Mozilla are making the pivot from face-to-face leadership communications to virtual channels. We're joined by Justin O'Kelly, Mozilla's senior executive communications manager. Links: Mozilla, makers of Firefox, Monitor, Send and more.…
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Ep. 59. Leadership communication through curation
If sharing really is caring, then the content you share needs to be content you really care about — and content your audience will care about too. This episode we look at content curation... and why just shovelling links onto Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn without care or context isn't just bad…
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Ep. 58. Going virtual (and staying human)
With so many face-to-face presentations being cancelled, a lot of speakers are looking at going virtual. But with webinars and online conferences suddenly getting a second look, it's important to keep in mind their special demands. This episode, we talk to presentation coach, theorist, blogger,...
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Ep. 57. Making the best of a cancelled speech
Cancelled speaking gigs are a fact of life, but never more than today. And hey: with social distancing and disease prevention rightly taking precedence over oratory, we know better than to feel sorry for ourselves over postponed conferences and scrubbed events. But when you're left holding a…
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Ep. 56. Leadership communications in a crisis (part two)
Getting leadership communications right is never more important than in the middle of a crisis. And as COVID-19 coronavirus outbreaks happening throughout much of the world, you may well be facing a crisis soon. Last episode, we talked about planning for your crisis leadership communications.…
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Ep. 55. Leadership communications in a crisis (part one)
In a crisis, people are looking for reassurance, a sense of security... and leadership. And with COVID-19 coronavirus outbreaks happening across the planet, you may soon need to step up on behalf of your organization — for anything from coping with a supply-chain issue to temporarily shutting…
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Ep. 54. It's called public speaking. Not public singing.
Are you falling into the trap of sing-song delivery? You could be sapping your speech's strength and breaking your connection to the audience. Here's how to recognize it... and how to stop. Wondering what's different about this episode? Could be the new theme music! Links: Episode 51 talks about...
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Ep. 53. How to Talk to Experts
Sooner or later speechwriters and other leadership communications practitioners find ourselves talking to a subject matter expert: somebody (usually part of your client's organization) who's going to give some of their time and knowledge to make your speech or article better. Here's how to get…
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Ep. 52. Drop the pitch!
It can be tempting to sell from the stage... especially when you know some of the people in your audience could be great customers. But resist that temptation. Here's why you should leave the sales pitch behind when you head to the mic — and how you can do a much better sales job if you aren't...
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Ep. 51. Zoom in on your audience
Having trouble connecting emotionally with a speech you're writing or rehearsing? Maybe it's because you're trying to speak to the whole audience instead of just one person. This episode, here's why you may want to take a leaf from TV cop shows and zoom way in. (Note: This is episode of the…
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Ep. 50. The Pigeon of Dorian Gray
I'm always telling you to tell stories... so for the 50th episode of the podcast, I'm going to share one of my own. It's about what a dead pigeon taught me about being a good speechwriter. Music: Theme: "Good Times" by Podington Bear (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/). Incidental...
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Ep. 49. What kind of emotional connection do you want with your audience?
Coming up empty as you try to write your speech? Wondering why your presentations aren't landing quite as well as you know they should? You probably know you should connect emotionally with your audience — but maybe you need to think through just what kind of emotional connection you're both...
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Ep. 48. Find your speaker superpowers in your origin story
For some reason, we love to hear how superheroes got their powers — their origin stories. And audiences will want to hear yours, too. Here's how to tell the story of how you got here in a way that connects with your audience and even moves them to action... faster (cough) than a speaking bullet....
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Ep. 47. Careful with that spotlight!
As leaders, it can be tempting to forget that not everyone likes being the centre of attention. And when you have an audience, you can all too easily throw a harsh, unforgiving spotlight onto someone who isn't ready for it. This episode, we look at how to wield your audience's attention...
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Ep. 46. "Long Shot" and why speakers and speechwriters need some one-on-one time
This summer's film Long Shot is an entire movie about how speechwriter and speaker relate to each other. And it has something to teach us about making that relationship work — and how the key ingredient is time. If you're thinking of catching it, the movie's a lot of fun, even if (or probably...
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Ep. 45. What HBO can teach us about how NOT to write a speech
What does a speech look like stripped of the craft of speechwriting? HBO's hit show Succession gave us a glimpse with a hilarious eulogy delivered by character Connor Roy... and in the process, helps speechwriters and speakers avoid delivering dull, lifeless speeches. Links: Here's that eulogy:...
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Ep. 44. Speakers, have a seat (in the audience)
You can write a speech for a someone. Read it through. Rehearse with the speaker. But you won't really know how effective it is unless you're there when they deliver it. This episode: why speechwriters should fight for a spot in the audience, and how to use it to write better speeches. Music:...
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Ep. 43. "How do you do, fellow kids?" Speaking to young audiences
A lot of speakers who'd happily get up in front of a thousand-person audience start getting the shakes at the thought of speaking to children or (gulp) teens. Fortunately, we have child-and-teen author Robin Stevenson here to share her experience speaking in front of countless school auditoriums...
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Ep. 42. Speechwriters of the world, unite! Creating communities of practice: interview with Elana Aptowitzer
Writing is usually a pretty solitary pursuit. But solitary doesn't have to mean isolated. Find out how Elana Aptowitzer created a community of speechwriters inside the Canadian public service — and how you can start building a community of your own. About my guest: Elana Aptowitzer heads up...
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Ep. 41. Changing the world... with op-eds
We've focused on speaking and speechwriting in the podcast — but there's more than one way to connect with an audience. And one of the best: the venerable op-ed piece. About my guest: Today's guest knows op-eds better than anyone I know: Professor Mira Sucharov is the author of Public Influence,...
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Ep. 40. Cop an attitude — and take a stand
If you really want your audience to care about what you're saying, they need to know you care about it too. And that starts with the attitude you project... and the stands you're willing to take. Music: Theme: "Good Times" by Podington Bear (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/)....
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Ep. 39. Quote me on that
Quotations are one of a speechwriter's essential tools — right up there with metaphors, jokes and 3 a.m. espresso. But borrowed eloquence doesn't always work out, and as handy as a quotation can be, using it requires care. This episode looks at how to use quotations to elevate your whole speech,...
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Ep. 38. To tell the truth
Most of us like to think of ourselves as basically honest people. But as speakers and speechwriters, it's surprisingly easy to find ourselves misleading our audiences: accidentally or (gulp) deliberately. Find out how — even with the best intentions — you may be leading your audience astray...…
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Ep. 37. Making the most of a rally speech, with guest Tzeporah Berman: part 2
Political protest is on the rise — and with it, a growing need for leaders to speak to protest rallies. This episode, we talk with veteran environmental and climate campaigner Tzeporah Berman about rally speeches: how to plan, write and deliver them for maximum impact. This two-part episode…
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Ep. 36. Making the most of a rally speech, with guest Tzeporah Berman: part 1
Political protest is on the rise — and with it, a growing need for leaders to speak to protest rallies. This episode, we talk with veteran environmental and climate campaigner Tzeporah Berman about rally speeches: how to plan, write and deliver them for maximum impact. This two-part episode…
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Ep. 35. Speechwriters on stage
Want to be a better speechwriter? One of the best ways to improve your speechwriting is to get out from behind your keyboard and get in front of an audience. Why speechwriters should also be speakers — and how you can get started. Music: Theme: "Good Times" by Podington Bear...
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Ep. 34. When the questions get tough, the tough get prepared
It may be in a media interview, a Q&A, a debate or a townhall. But when you're a leader, chances are sooner or later you're going to face tough questions. It just comes with the territory. The key to being ready for tough questions? Equally tough preparation. And that means fighting off the...
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Ep. 33. Cue the theatrics! What speakers (and speechwriters) can learn from actors
What does acting have to do with authenticity? More than you might think. This episode, we look at how the tools actors bring to their most compelling performances can help you connect with your audience. Music: Theme: "Good Times" by Podington Bear...
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Ep. 32. Getting started in speechwriting
There's no well-worn, signposted career path to being a speechwriter. That's the bad news. The good news? There are plenty of other paths in. This episode, we look at how to break into speechwriting — and some lessons from my own first big break. Music: Theme: "Good Times" by Podington Bear...
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Ep. 31. Sorry seems to be the hardest word: delivering a great apology
None of us is perfect, and sooner or later, leaders have to apologize for something. Sometimes it's something out of your control; sometimes it really is on you. Apologize well, and you can come out with stronger relationships and a better reputation. Apologize badly, and you can make a bad...
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Ep. 30. Build your organization's podium strength.
Over the past 29 episodes, we've looked at how you can be a better, more effective speaker and speechwriter. For episode 30, let's magnify your impact — helping your whole organization tap into the power of public speaking. Also, I reveal my hidden agenda. Music: "Upbeat" by John Luc Hefferman....
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Ep. 29. Broaden your media diet
This episode, we talk about how expanding the kinds of media you like to read, watch and listen to can make you a better speechwriter and speaker. Links: The 100-Mile Diet by Alisa Smith and J.B. Mackinnon Music: "Upbeat" by John Luc Hefferman. Used under a Creative Commons license. Photo:...
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Ep. 28. Listen to speakers outside your niche
Niches are great places to develop a deep understanding of audience and subject matter, and to build community... but they can get pretty insular. Whether you're a speaker or a speechwriter, here's how to keep your work fresh, by drawing inspiration from outside your bubble. Music: "Upbeat" by…
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Ep. 27. Make your speech a content factory
Speeches are amazing. They can move audiences, inspire crowds... and they can help you create new content, quickly and easily! In this episode, we'll look at 10 ways you can repurpose your next speech into high-impact video, audio, text and images. Music: "Upbeat" by John Luc Hefferman. Used…
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Ep. 26. Think strategically
When it comes to your organization's leadership speaking, you have strategic resources in play and strategic values on the line. That makes a pretty good case for a speaking strategy. Here's how to take the first steps toward crafting one. Music: "Upbeat" by John Luc Hefferman. Used under a...
About this show
I've worked as a speechwriter, presentation coach and communication strategist—not to mention delivering my share of speeches. From speechwriting and speaking to traditional and social media, here's my best advice on how leaders can communicate to change how audiences see the world.
Hosted by
Rob Cottingham
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