Stillness is a Leadership Signal
On a recent cruise to Antarctica, I stood quietly on deck watching an iceberg drift past. It wasn’t loud.It wasn’t rushing.It wasn’t trying to impress anyone. And yet, no one could ignore it. Stillness sends a signal. In leadership settings, that signal often communicates more authority than energy ever could. When leaders want to improve […]
My Journey From Engineer to Eloquence: Speaking, Coaching, Authoring
Podcaster, author, and legal coach Nadia Seklig interviews author and communication coach Diane Windingland as she shares her journey from engineer to professional speech coach and author of 10+ books. She discusses overcoming fear, Toastmasters, self-publishing, using AI tools for coaching and writing, and practical habits to become a confident speaker. 00:00:08 Introduction to Diane […]
Using AI to Build a “Knowledge Bridge” (and Why the Prompt Matters)
If you’ve ever thought, “I’d use AI more… if I knew what to ask,” you’re not alone. Good results start with better prompts, and that’s exactly why I created The Clarity Code AI Prompt PowerPack. Clear prompts lead to clear thinking, clearer messages, and much better output. What surprises people is how dramatically the results […]
How to Communicate Complex Ideas with Clarity
In my latest book, The Clarity Code, I help you enhance your communication efforts with practical tips on how to convey a clearer message. Listen to this podcast interview to discover some valuable clarifying tips and learn more about the book. Get the The Clarity Code on Amazon!
Confusion to Clarity: Mastering the Art of Analogies
Have you ever tried explaining a concept and been met with blank stares? Maybe you’re a leader, trainer, coach—or just someone who needs to make the complex sound simple. And despite your best efforts, your audience looks confused. You know the feeling: polite nods, vacant eyes, maybe even a quick glance at a phone. That’s […]
New! Free Public Speaking Toolkit for Teens
If you teach public speaking to teens—whether in a classroom, homeschool setting, or youth leadership club—you know that helping students find their voice is one of the most valuable skills you can teach. But getting started can sometimes feel overwhelming.What activities work best? How do you make public speaking approachable and even fun? That’s why […]
5 Quick Tips for Using Humor in Presentations
We’ve all sat through speeches that felt like an eternity… but what about the ones that kept us engaged, entertained, and actually laughing? Humor isn’t just for comedians—it’s a powerful tool for connection, persuasion, and making your message memorable. Below are 5 quick tips you can incorporate into an upcoming presentation. 1️⃣ Find the Funny […]
The Best Plan Ever (Humorous Speech)
Call me weird, but I’ve always been fascinated by natural disasters.
My favorite movie as a kid was a disaster movie… The Wizard of Oz. Hey, there was a tornado!
Turns out, I didn’t need a tornado to land in strange places. I’ve lived through disasters in three states: California, Minnesota, and Texas.
Talk Like Trump
Love him or hate him, you can still learn from him. Sometimes, it’s what NOT to do, but in the case of his 2nd Inaugural address, Trump had some eloquent moments (I’m guessing he had a good speech writer). In the short video (1:29) below, you can see two examples of effective rhetoric, using parallel […]
Speak with Impact: Build Confidence and Clarity as a Communicator
Have you ever spoken up in a meeting, only to feel like your words disappeared into the void? Like no one really heard you? If you’ve ever felt invisible when you speak, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, too. Years ago, fresh out of college as a new engineer, I struggled to communicate my ideas. […]