Speaking
Speaking
As a speaker…
My style is interactive. I connect with my audience by asking questions, inserting humour, using examples and inviting participation. My talks are built around scientifically sound information yet presented in a way that is authentic and relatable. As a speaker my goal is to inspire, encourage you to think, learn and gain new insights, and convince you to act. All my talks can be adjusted or tailor-made to a client’s requirements and can also be converted into workshops.
Part 1: Narcissism Decoded… Symptoms and Relationship Dynamics
Why do narcissists make such great first impressions? What happened in their childhood? What causes their change of behaviour over time? How do they maintain control? Why do we speak of a “narcissistic epidemic”? In this talk I outline the symptoms of narcissism (having an inflated or grandiose sense of self), the probable origin of the disorder and the impact it has on relational dynamics.
Part 2: Narcissism Decoded… The Manipulation Tactics of Toxic People
In this talk I explore the communication styles of narcissists and how narcissists affect the people they interact with. What manipulation tactics do narcissists use when confronted or criticised? How do they make you feel when you are in relationship with them? I will also highlight some strategies for dealing with a narcissistic individual in both private and work spaces, be it a partner, a family member, a boss or a colleague.
The Racing Standstill – Time as the Art of Living
This talk is about our concept of time; the way we experience time, time cultures around the world, and how we perceive time in our modern Westernised culture – at societal and individual levels. I will illustrate how the often-unconscious notions of time can be detected and changed, and address how social acceleration leads to the phenomenon of “the racing standstill” – and the consequences of this for our everyday experience. I will also offer helpful tools to understand time in relation to the “art of living” in our contemporary world.
Self-Deception – Rewire your Mindset
Almost by definition, if we have a self-deception problem, we won’t know that we have it! Or is there actually a way to discover that we are deceiving ourselves? In this talk I explore how self-deception plays out in business and personal connections and what we can do to be more clear-minded and other-focused. I will also illustrate a hands-on resource to gain awareness and decision-making capabilities in situations where self-deception clouds reality.
Procrastination – Vice or Virtue? The Paradox
Is procrastination the greatest thief of all time, resulting in regret and sorrow? Or is it a good thing because of the immense “last-minute” burst of productivity it often leads to? For this talk I examine why procrastination is seemingly on the increase and how we can motivate ourselves to act instead of believing that the hills we need to climb will get smaller when we wait.
The Art of Conversation – How to Boost Conversational Intelligence
Conversation is the art of making connections. Conversations can be great or bad, fruitful or frustrating, they can make or break relationships and business deals, and can invigorate or damage a human being. Mastering the art of conversation is an essential skill in business that enables you to connect with potential clients. What are the aspects of conversational intelligence? How do conversations impact us on a biological level? What are the inner net gains and losses during and after a conversation? How do we create rapport and shape healthy conversation? These are some of the questions I delve into in this talk.
Active Listening – The Golden Key to Human Relationships
Research shows that the average person listens at only about 25% efficiency. This is an interesting insight when we consider that effective leadership is predicated on effective communication and, in particular, on finely honed listening skills. Once acquired, the habit of active listening is the very skill that turns would-be leaders into true ones. So, what exactly is active listening as opposed to simply hearing and responding? And if listening is so useful, why is it also so challenging? Partly because it runs counter to the way our brains have evolved to function. It is also at odds with today’s frenetically multitasking, information-overloaded and distraction-driven world. This talk explores the complex skill of active listening, whereby the listener suspends their own frame of reference and fully attends to the speaker’s. I will outline the benefits of active listening, the science behind the skills and provide you with tools to train and practise.