It is over 90 degrees in the shade in beautiful Toronto today.  If you are lucky enough to be by the lake or the pool, enjoy and read this one later.  For those of us indoors we may as well put some of our time to good use and improve our public speaking skill with the next lesson.  This one addresses your poise when speaking in public.  Whether you write your own speech or have a speech written for you, this tip is a key one.

POISE

It’s important from the moment you step up to the lectern that you exude confidence. If anything, in preparing to deliver a speech, don’t rush. In fact, this is the point where you must remember a fundamental of good speaking: BREATHE! Make sure you’re comfortable at the lectern and that the microphone is at an appropriate height before you even begin starting (don’t tap it! - if it’s not working, somebody will sort it out). And before you do start, look at the audience and establish eye contact.