Articles Archives - The pincus Group https://thepincusgroup.com/category/articles/ Presentation - Media - speech coaching Thu, 26 Mar 2026 18:03:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://thepincusgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/fav-icon.png Articles Archives - The pincus Group https://thepincusgroup.com/category/articles/ 32 32 Why you flub those media interviews https://thepincusgroup.com/why-you-flub-those-media-interviews/ Thu, 26 Mar 2026 18:02:55 +0000 https://thepincusgroup.com/?p=5340 Those speaking on behalf of their companies or organizations often dread media interviews more than any other kind of public speaking. Reframing the understanding of media interactions could help those same executives prepare to make the most of those opportunities. Here are just a few suggestions from your on-call media trainer, to help any senior […]

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Those speaking on behalf of their companies or organizations often dread media interviews more than any other kind of public speaking. Reframing the understanding of media interactions could help those same executives prepare to make the most of those opportunities. Here are just a few suggestions from your on-call media trainer, to help any senior leader prepare to meet the media:

1.) You’re not there ONLY to answer questions.
As a former reporter, of course I’m not going to advise you to avoid answering reporters’ questions. That doesn’t mean you’re in the spotlight only to be led by them. The truth is that every reporter assumes you have something you want to say. That’s called a message. Why would you sit down for an interview without one?

2.) It’s not about the reporter.
You’re not there to speak to a reporter. You’re there to reach a much broader audience through the reporter. Don’t be distracted by the person asking the questions. Focus on the audience reading, listening or watching the interview. Do you know who you’re speaking to, why, and what your message is?

3.) There is no “context”.
How many times do we hear subjects of interviews complain afterwards they were “taken out of context”? Of course, your interview will be edited if it’s not live. Reporters aren’t stenographers. Everything you say needs to stand on its own merits and be understood without further explanation. If you “had to be there” to understand your answer, learn to deliver answers that don’t need intervention to be understood.

4.) Do interviews anyway.
No one can speak for you or your company like the person responsible for its decisions. NOT speaking to the media is a missed opportunity to own your story, which will be supplied by others if you neglect it. What CAN you do to make sure you’re media ready? Call for a free consultation: www.thepincusgroup.com

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]]> Communication Intelligence https://thepincusgroup.com/communication-intelligence/ https://thepincusgroup.com/communication-intelligence/#respond Thu, 19 Mar 2026 19:38:06 +0000 https://thepincusgroup.com/?p=5333 “Less actually is more when presenting ‘up’ to decision makers,” asserts Aileen Pincus, the founder at The Pincus Group, an executive communications firm near Washington DC., and a former US Senate senior communications director. READ ARTICLE

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“Less actually is more when presenting ‘up’ to decision makers,” asserts Aileen Pincus, the founder at The Pincus Group, an executive communications firm near Washington DC., and a former US Senate senior communications director.

READ ARTICLE

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]]> https://thepincusgroup.com/communication-intelligence/feed/ 0 Why You Don’t Want to Read That Speech https://thepincusgroup.com/why-you-dont-want-to-read-that-speech-2/ https://thepincusgroup.com/why-you-dont-want-to-read-that-speech-2/#respond Wed, 25 Feb 2026 20:03:39 +0000 https://thepincusgroup.com/?p=5326 Why You Don’t Want to Read That Speech…and other top tips to power up your communications Many (if not most of us), prepare for public speaking engagements as though there was no distinction between being in front of our audience or emailing them. If you’re sitting in that audience however, the difference is obvious. It’s […]

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Why You Don’t Want to Read That Speech
…and other top tips to power up your communications

Many (if not most of us), prepare for public speaking engagements as though there was no distinction between being in front of our audience or emailing them. If you’re sitting in that audience however, the difference is obvious. It’s not easy connecting with a speaker no matter the subject, when you’re being read to. Here then are some top tips to keep in mind when you’re in the spotlight:

1.) It’s the movie, not the book
Your audience didn’t come to be read to. Try distilling your ideas into some higher level, key messages. Use an outline or notecards to help you stay on track. (Don’t try to memorize or you’ll be concentrating on that and not being “present”). It’s not about remembering every word and phrase you had prepared. Your audience doesn’t know what you were supposed to say and doesn’t care about perfection. It’s about establishing a real connection with those listening.

2.) Keep it tight
No one is going to complain your speech wasn’t long enough. For many in the audience, the q and a afterwards is far more interesting because that’s about them; the chance to interact with a speaker, measure your commitment and believability. If you struggle with public appearances, keep them shorter and use your time for Q and A.

3.) There is no substitute for preparation
No matter how much you know or think you know about a subject, never “wing it” in front of an audience. The stakes are too high to your reputation in any public appearance to appear ill-prepared. Ask yourself what your audience knows, what they don’t, what your purpose is in speaking to them and what you want to say. Then deliver. If you don’t have time to prepare, find someone else who can, or just say no.

4.) Learn From the Best
Even the most polished performers get help. They either learn to use teleprompters to help keep them on track, work with coaches on preparation or both. Devote the time you need and use the tools you need, to be at your most confident, every time you’re in front of an audience, whether that audience be one or one thousand. Get inspiration from others (TedTalks or watching the best at your own company) but find your own style and voice.

We hope you’ll contact us for a free consultation at www.thepincusgroup.com

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]]> https://thepincusgroup.com/why-you-dont-want-to-read-that-speech-2/feed/ 0 EVERY Member of Your Team Can Make or Break Your Reputation https://thepincusgroup.com/every-member-of-your-team-can-make-or-break-your-reputation/ https://thepincusgroup.com/every-member-of-your-team-can-make-or-break-your-reputation/#respond Wed, 18 Feb 2026 21:05:43 +0000 https://thepincusgroup.com/?p=5320 Are they ready to communicate your company’s value? Any company or organization appearing before others to win bids, persuade customers, or solidify your company’s reputation can’t leave readiness to chance. It’s not enough to depend on a few high performers. Here are some steps to make sure you’re leaving no team member behind: 1.) Is […]

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Are they ready to communicate your company’s value?

Any company or organization appearing before others to win bids, persuade customers, or solidify your company’s reputation can’t leave readiness to chance. It’s not enough to depend on a few high performers. Here are some steps to make sure you’re leaving no team member behind:

1.) Is your messaging right?
Communicating your organization’s value to others doesn’t happen automatically. Knowing your target audience and how you meet their needs is essential to establishing and strengthening a connection with them. Get your messages right by understanding your audience, what they need, and how you meet those needs. Clear, powerful messaging is the base to build that connection on.

2.) Is everyone on the team aligned with that messaging?
Even strong, clear messaging can’t succeed if those delivering the message aren’t on board with it. This isn’t acting. Make sure anyone appearing before others on your organization’s behalf not only knows your messaging but is on board with it. Work to make sure your messaging resonates with those carrying those messages for you.

3.) Help every member of the team gain confidence
It’s not enough to simply tell others what to say. Confidence is something you build, not something you’re given. Make sure anyone speaking on your organization’s behalf has the tools they need to perform at their best. Get them the coaching and support needed so that every team member performs at their best in carrying your organization’s message to others.

4.) The right content is only half the battle
Devote the time needed to ORAL delivery practice. Get your group or team in the same room at the same time to deliver the content in front of each other. Your team has to help each other deliver in a way that will resonate with your target audience. Invest the time needed to help them help each other get this right.

Call us for more on preparing both your team and its individuals to deliver.
www.thepincusgroup.com

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]]> https://thepincusgroup.com/every-member-of-your-team-can-make-or-break-your-reputation/feed/ 0 Why You Don’t Want to Read That Speech https://thepincusgroup.com/why-you-dont-want-to-read-that-speech/ https://thepincusgroup.com/why-you-dont-want-to-read-that-speech/#respond Tue, 20 Jan 2026 16:18:30 +0000 https://thepincusgroup.com/?p=5309 …and other top tips to power up your communications Many (if not most of us), prepare for public speaking engagements as though there was no distinction between being in front of our audience or emailing them. If you’re sitting in that audience however, the difference is obvious. It’s not easy connecting with a speaker no […]

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…and other top tips to power up your communications

Many (if not most of us), prepare for public speaking engagements as though there was no distinction between being in front of our audience or emailing them. If you’re sitting in that audience however, the difference is obvious. It’s not easy connecting with a speaker no matter the subject, when you’re being read to. Here then are some top tips to keep in mind when you’re in the spotlight:

1.) It’s the movie, not the book
Your audience didn’t come to be read to. Try distilling your ideas into some higher level, key messages. Use an outline or notecards to help you stay on track. (Don’t try to memorize or you’ll be concentrating on that and not being “present”). It’s not about remembering every word and phrase you had prepared. Your audience doesn’t know what you were supposed to say and doesn’t care about perfection. It’s about establishing a real connection with those listening.

2.) Keep it tight
No one is going to complain your speech wasn’t long enough. For many in the audience, the q and a afterwards is far more interesting because that’s about them; the chance to interact with a speaker, measure your commitment and believability. If you struggle with public appearances, keep them shorter and use your time for Q and A.

3.) There is no substitute for preparation
No matter how much you know or think you know about a subject, never “wing it” in front of an audience. The stakes are too high to your reputation in any public appearance to appear ill-prepared. Ask yourself what your audience knows, what they don’t, what your purpose is in speaking to them and what you want to say. Then deliver. If you don’t have time to prepare, find someone else who can, or just say no.

4.) Copy the Best
Even the most polished performers get help. They either learn to use teleprompters to help keep them on track, work with coaches on preparation or both. Devote the time you need and use the tools you need, to be at your most confident, every time you’re in front of an audience, whether that audience be one or one thousand. Get inspiration from others (TedTalks or watching the best at your own company) but find your own style and voice.

We hope you’ll contact us for a free consultation at www.thepincusgroup.com
Get the coaching to gain the confidence you need for every speaking engagement. Connect, Power Up and display the presence that gives your ideas real power.

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]]> https://thepincusgroup.com/why-you-dont-want-to-read-that-speech/feed/ 0 Power Up Your Communications https://thepincusgroup.com/top-resolutions-to-power-up-your-communications-in-the-new-year/ https://thepincusgroup.com/top-resolutions-to-power-up-your-communications-in-the-new-year/#respond Mon, 05 Jan 2026 21:00:40 +0000 https://thepincusgroup.com/?p=5300 No matter how the workplace changes, every management survey we have still ranks communication skills at the top of those valued. That’s because even a high level of expertise can’t overcome a failure to communicate that expertise well to others. Yet, somehow, we still expect professional communications to just magically and consistently happen. Even AI, […]

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No matter how the workplace changes, every management survey we have still ranks communication skills at the top of those valued. That’s because even a high level of expertise can’t overcome a failure to communicate that expertise well to others. Yet, somehow, we still expect professional communications to just magically and consistently happen. Even AI, as useful a tool as it is, is only a tool. It can’t substitute for your own clear, powerful voice communicating your ideas to colleagues, clients, or decision-makers. As 2026 gets underway, let’s remind ourselves of a few basics to help power up workplace communications:

1.) Respect the process.
Never walk into a presentation, conference, meeting or opportunity without preparing for it. Take just a moment to ask yourself who is going to be there, what your intent is in speaking to them, and what you want them to remember from what you have to say. It’s not about always having an answer. It’s about preparing for them. This one simple step can help shape your reputation as a polished professional.

2.) Your reputation is inseparable from your communication skill.
Every professional wants the judgment of others to be based solely on their work. That’s why we’re uncomfortable with public speaking. We tend to separate what we know (which we think we have more control over), from how we communicate about it, something we suspect we might be judged unfairly for. Embrace the reality. If you want credit for what you’re bringing to the workplace, display it clearly for others. Communication is the burden of the communicator, not those listening to you.

3.) The data (and pretty much everything else) actually doesn’t speak for itself. Whether delivering a written or oral report, it’s up to you to supply the “so what”. Don’t confuse information with wisdom, data with authority. You are the one who needs to supply the bigger picture. (Think “Here’s what the data tells us”, rather than “You asked me to look at…”)

4.) Own it.
The power of in person communication is in tone, delivery, word choice and body language, along WITH the content. A strong voice, confident posture, eye contact, and declarative, clear sentences, signals to others you have something worth listening to. (Even in remote meetings, turn that camera back on, look up, and speak up.)

And of course, make sure to get feedback. We hope you’ll call us in for that but do find the time to keep on top of your communication game. To get the credit for your ideas, you’ll have to connect them to the power of your communications.

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]]> https://thepincusgroup.com/top-resolutions-to-power-up-your-communications-in-the-new-year/feed/ 0 Five Resolutions to Help Step Up Your Presentations in the New Year https://thepincusgroup.com/five-resolutions-to-help-step-up-your-presentations-in-the-new-year/ https://thepincusgroup.com/five-resolutions-to-help-step-up-your-presentations-in-the-new-year/#respond Fri, 12 Dec 2025 18:29:40 +0000 https://thepincusgroup.com/?p=5293 The annual surveys are in, and employers are again listing communication skills as one of their top qualifications for both new and existing hires. Even executives more experienced and more comfortable in all forms of public speaking say they could use some communication skills strengthening. As we get ready to close out the year, here […]

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The annual surveys are in, and employers are again listing communication skills as one of their top qualifications for both new and existing hires. Even executives more experienced and more comfortable in all forms of public speaking say they could use some communication skills strengthening.

As we get ready to close out the year, here are some reminders on how to stand out in front of others, whatever your skill level:

1.) Resolve to leave boring behind.
“Hi, let’s get started. Thanks for coming. My name is…” You’ve just dashed our hopes we’re going to be engaged. Think about changing up your standard go-to open with a question instead, designed to let your audience know this is going to be about them. Open with a surprising fact or a quick anecdote, something they weren’t expecting.
2.) Resolve to get to the point: quickly
No matter how great your content, your audience needs to know where you’re going and why it matters to them from the get-go. Get those key messages up front so they don’t have to guess. Remember: BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front).
3.) Resolve to keep the attention you win
If you’re losing their attention, it’s on you to fix. The key advantage of in -person communication is the ability to adjust and be flexible in making sure the communication lands. If you notice you’re losing your audience’s attention, or see puzzled looks, don’t just plow ahead. Stop and engage.
4.) Resolve to resolve something
Don’t demand in person attention unless it can’t be handled any other way. Even meetings or briefings designed as “updates” should be held in person only to resolve matters that couldn’t be handled with an email or call. Respect everyone’s time and make sure you’ve asked for their time and attention for a specific and identifiable reason.
5.) Resolve to keep everything focused on them
Whether you’re presenting “up” to decision makers, ‘out’ to colleagues, seeking to win support, or collect ideas, every public appearance benefits by knowing your audience and why they’ve come to hear from you. No one should ever start any briefing or presentation with “I’ve been asked to come speak to you…” which separates you from the audience and positions yourself as a subordinate or simply an outsider. The more you know about what motivates this particular audience, the more successful you’ll be in delivering the clear, powerful communications all in the room were hoping for.

And if you’re seeking to build skills for yourself, your team or your employees,
reach out to us at www.thepincusgroup.com for a free consultation.
We’re here to help you match the power of your ideas to the power of your communications.

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]]> https://thepincusgroup.com/five-resolutions-to-help-step-up-your-presentations-in-the-new-year/feed/ 0 What To Do If The Worst Happens: (Why drawing a blank doesn’t have to upend your presentation) https://thepincusgroup.com/what-to-do-if-the-worst-happens-why-drawing-a-blank-doesnt-have-to-upend-your-presentation/ https://thepincusgroup.com/what-to-do-if-the-worst-happens-why-drawing-a-blank-doesnt-have-to-upend-your-presentation/#respond Tue, 18 Nov 2025 20:42:17 +0000 https://thepincusgroup.com/?p=5283 You’ve prepared and are ready for that big briefing or presentation and suddenly, the nightmare happens. You draw a blank. You look at your slide or your notes and can’t find your place or recall what you were supposed to say. How do you recover? Easily, if you bear in mind a few tips: 1. […]

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You’ve prepared and are ready for that big briefing or presentation and
suddenly, the nightmare happens. You draw a blank. You look at your slide or your notes and can’t find your place or recall what you were supposed to say. How do you recover? Easily, if you bear in mind a few tips:

1. Prepare For The Unexpected
If you had to deliver your briefing or presentation in half the time you thought
you had, or without any notes or materials, could you? Next time you get ready
to take the stage, identify two or three key messages in your presentation, a
support point for each, and a conclusion. That’s the “elevator pitch” version of
your briefing. If you can deliver that one, your Plan B is ready.

2.  Don’t Ask For Sympathy
“Wow, I’m sorry, my mind just went blank.” That kind of admission may start your audience down a path of doubt about your competence that you don’t want to lead them to. Instead, try to turn the focus on exactly where every audience likes that focus: on them. Have a few questions ready. (“Before we continue, let me pause here and take a quick survey,” or try soliciting questions. The goal is to give you a moment to remember what’s next and shift the focus from you to your audience while you do it. Always prepare some questions to bring out at times like these when you need them (a lull before they think of their own questions, to buy you more time, or to simply help you engage them).

3. Pause and Review
Without speaking, look over your notes. There’s no need to continually fill the
silence. If you’ve lost your place, return to your notes silently, calmly, without explanation and look them over. Your audience knows what you’re
doing and doesn’t mind the break.  In fact, they may think you’ve deliberately timed it to let what you’ve said so far, sink in.

4. Stay Calm
Your audience isn’t looking for perfection.
Powerful presentations aren’t about showing your memorization skills. If
things go wrong (and eventually they will), use the opportunity to showcase
your ability to stay on track. Handling the unexpected with calm assurance
displays your leadership skills more than a flawless reading ever could.

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]]> https://thepincusgroup.com/what-to-do-if-the-worst-happens-why-drawing-a-blank-doesnt-have-to-upend-your-presentation/feed/ 0 Non Verbals: Why They Are Killing Your Presentations https://thepincusgroup.com/non-verbals-why-they-are-killing-your-presentations/ https://thepincusgroup.com/non-verbals-why-they-are-killing-your-presentations/#respond Wed, 05 Nov 2025 11:46:58 +0000 https://thepincusgroup.com/?p=5274 Non Verbals: Why They Are Killing Your Presentations (and what to do about it) Anyone who has ever sat through a briefing or presentation knows how quickly you can lose an audience without saying a word. Here are a few reminders on how to make sure your non-verbal’s are sending the right signals to your […]

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Non Verbals: Why They Are Killing Your Presentations
(and what to do about it)

Anyone who has ever sat through a briefing or presentation knows how quickly you can lose an audience without saying a word. Here are a few reminders on how to make sure your non-verbal’s are sending the right signals to your target audiences:

1. Come out of hiding
We know it may be more comfortable for nervous presenters to stand behind a lectern. That’s why when we see you behind one, our first thought might be to question your confidence. It’s almost impossible to really connect with your audience from behind a barrier (even a see-through one designed to give the audience the illusion of connection.) Display your confidence first and foremost by not hiding from your audience. If you need to check your notes, or get off track, you can simply stop speaking and do so. Presenting well isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection. (And your audience has no idea what you might have left out.)

2. Natural movements and eye contact signal confidence
The goal is to stand and move as naturally as possible. Pay attention to how you normally move, gesture, and maintain eye contact. That’s what you’ll want to mimic when delivering presentations and briefings in the real world. If you normally gesture freely with your hands, continue to do so. (That doesn’t mean gesturing widely and remember moving without purpose is usually called pacing.)

3. Pauses are refreshing.
We hear at a faster rate than we process information. That means deliberate pauses allows your audience to keep up with you and consider your points. That has the added benefit of making you the presenter seem in control and deliberate. If you naturally tend to be a fast talker, it’s far easier to adjust for that with pauses and some repetition, rather than to try and slow your delivery rate. No audience will complain you are too easy to understand.

4. Connect Deliberately
The advantage your audience has in watching you, is being able to judge immediately whether what you’re saying is relevant and worth exploring. The advantage you have in standing in front of them is watching that judgement happen and adjusting. Are you seeing heads nod? Looks of interest? Good, proceed. If not, pause and ask for feedback. There’s no point in barreling ahead if your audience isn’t ready to go with you. Think ahead of time about any hurdles you want to help your audience get over. Be ready with examples, data, stories to help them get there.
Of course, we hope you’ll seek some professional training to help you make the most out of every presentation or briefing. You can however, improve your own performance by remembering why your audience is there, what they hope to get from you, and how you’re going to meet and exceed their expectations.

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]]> https://thepincusgroup.com/non-verbals-why-they-are-killing-your-presentations/feed/ 0 How To Use Slide Decks https://thepincusgroup.com/how-to-use-slide-decks/ https://thepincusgroup.com/how-to-use-slide-decks/#respond Tue, 21 Oct 2025 17:28:18 +0000 https://thepincusgroup.com/?p=5267 (It’s all about the visuals) If you hate building, using or watching presentation slides, you’re not alone. While the technology to help us build those presentations has improved dramatically, little has changed in the inability of many presenters to bring them to life. Before giving up on them entirely, consider these suggestions to make your […]

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(It’s all about the visuals)

If you hate building, using or watching presentation slides, you’re not alone. While the technology to help us build those presentations has improved dramatically, little has changed in the inability of many presenters to bring them to life. Before giving up on them entirely, consider these suggestions

to make your presentation a standout.

1. Put the show back into Show And Tell

Your slide deck is your story board. It’s there as a VISUAL AIDE to your storytelling. Look over your slide deck. Is it a visual representation of your story? Is it memorable and understandable?

2. Is your slide deck there for you, or for your audience?

If your slides exist to help keep you (the presenter) stay on track, take them out and work harder on knowing what you want to present. If the slides are there for your audience, leave them in. The purpose of your slides is not to provide you with a script. It’s to visually help your audience connect with the story you’re telling. Don’t make your audience do the work to figure out what you’re saying or how it relates to them.

3. Your slides aren’t the presentation. You are.

Slides can’t compensate for a bad or even a mediocre presenter. Even if you’re delivering data heavy presentations, it’s you, not your slides that will make the difference with your audience. To avoid competing with your slides, consider creating two versions: one version to present orally and one with more detail and text for a hand-out to be referred to by the audience later. You want audience focus on you, not the slides they’re trying to read.

4. It’s the MOVIE, not the book.

If you’re in front of people, you’re the focus. No audience has come to read or be read to. Think of your slide deck as a movie, the version designed to give your audience a high overview of your ideas that encourages them to keep a dialogue going. (For the additional book version, see suggestion 3). No one will complain you had too few slides or that you were too understandable.

Of course, we hope you’ll seek some professional training to help you make the most out of every presentation. You can however, improve your own performance by remembering why your audience is there, what they’re hoping to get from you, and how you’re going to meet and exceed their expectations.

For more tips and techniques, visit www.thepincusgroup.com to align the power of your ideas with effective communication.

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