Speech Coaching

I love to help clients bring their speeches to life. This was the scene for the induction of Lipscomb University president, Candice McQueen. The stage included Tennessee governors, Nashville’s mayor, and my client from a few years ago, Pat Boone. In the audience were university presidents, CMA entertainers and a few thousand students. Dr. McQueen was a pleasure to work with.

I enjoy helping others with their speeches. I began as a speechwriter. With a BA in Speech and an MS in Communication Psychology, I was a speechwriter for Fred Smith, the founder and executive chairman of FedEx. I wrote for many other other CEOs, celebrities, senators, governors, mayors and military officers.

These days, I coach speakers more than write their speeches. That means, I will work with them on content, the audience, the purpose, and style. Every speech is different because every person is different. As the time for the speech draws closer, we will practice online. And, I often go to the site of the speech to practice the day or two before.

I help folks enjoy the process. I believe a speech should be conversational. And it should be full of stories that help you make a point.

I created this book that shares my thoughts on how to give a speech. It’s used when I’m asked to speak at a retreat or convention.