The Joy Of Speaking

Thought I’d post a recent press release.  This describes my seminar/workshop programs geared toward alleviating the fear of “public” speaking.  I talk about lowering the public speaking ”terror alert.”  I’m excited about these ideas and am currently exploring more effective ways to market my Podium Power and Joy of Speaking programs. 

I think these workshops could be an extremely valuable part of many ongoing management and leadership development programs in the corporate and large non-profit world.  The ability to communicate to audiences of all sizes with confidence is an essential success.  The press release below provides some pretty good information.

   

For Immediate Release:

Lower the Public Speaking Terror Alert! 
   

Matthew Cossolotto, President of Ovations International – Home of the Standing O® – Announces New Seminar Series: 
“The Joy of Speaking:  How to Shift from
Stage Fright to Stage Delight!©”
 

Concepts to be included in Cossolotto’s next book: 
“There’s No Such Thing As Public Speaking!©”

 

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY – New York-based Ovations International, Inc., Home of the Standing O®, today announced that its president, Matthew Cossolotto, plans to conduct a series of seminars designed to lower the public speaking terror alert from red to green.  The seminars are called:  “The Joy of Speaking:  How to Shift From Stage Fright to Stage Delight!©” 
 

The seminars are expected to be held initially in the greater Westchester (NY) and Fairfield (CT) areas and then expand into other areas of the country.  Details about the dates and locations of the upcoming seminars will be released as they become available. 
 

“The ability to stand up and speak comfortably before audiences,” said Cossolotto, “is a critical leadership and success skill.  And yet, public opinion polls tell us that Americans rank public speaking as their Number One fear.  Number Two is death.  Why is that?  Most of us have no trouble, no performance anxiety, when we converse with friends, relatives, and loved ones in our everyday lives.  So why should we be terrorized by something we do naturally, comfortably all the time?  The fear is clearly self-induced.  It’s a mind game we play with ourselves.  As soon as we get into what we define as “public” speaking situations, the terror alert becomes elevated.”
 

Cossolotto continued:  “To banish the fear of speaking to audiences, we need to realize one simple truth:  There’s no such thing as ‘public’ speaking … only speaking, having a conversation.  I always tell my executive clients that you can only speak to one person at a time.  This approach downsizes the threat.  With this attitude, the terror alert drops down to green and the fear vanishes.” 
 

Three Steps to Joy:  Recognize, Reject and Replace
Cossolotto continued:  “Not many people associate public speaking with a sense of joy.  That’s unfortunate.  The very best speakers truly enjoy the experience.  They thrive on having the opportunity to share their ideas and messages with a live audience … by connecting and conversing with one person at a time.  It’s all about how you visualize and define it going in.  To tap into the joy of speaking, we have to define it differently.”    

 “In my seminars and workshops,” Cossolotto said, “participants learn a simple, three-step process that moves them from ‘stage fright’ to ‘stage delight.’  I call it the Three Rs:  Recognize, Reject and Replace.  You begin by “Recognizing” the fear, simply acknowledge that it exists.  There’s no point hiding the fact or pretending otherwise.  Just admit it to yourself.  Then you can “Reject” it – make a conscious choice – by repeating to yourself there’s no such thing as ‘public’ speaking.  The third step completes the transformation process.  You’re able to “Replace” fright with delight by shifting your focus from being self-conscious to connection-conscious.  Self-consciousness stifles joy and delight.”     
   

The new “Joy of Speaking” seminars are based on unique concepts contained in Cossolotto’s “Podium Power” workshops for executive training and one-on-one coaching.  These concepts include The Power of S.P.E.E.C.H., The Wizard of Oz Formula, and Whole-Brain Speaking – all of which help participants tap into a range of Right Brain (connection/presence-based) and Left Brain (content/preparation-based) capabilities to become more confident, comfortable and authentic speakers.
 

The “Joy of Speaking” and “Podium Power” concepts will be described in detail in Cossolotto’s next book:  “There’s No Such Thing As Public Speaking.”  The book is expected to be available in late 2006.  To learn more about Ovations International and Matthew Cossolotto’s seminars and workshops, visit www.ovations.com.    
 

About Ovations International and Matthew Cossolotto Matthew Cossolotto is the author of HabitForce! How to Kick the Habits of F.A.I.L.U.R.E. and Adopt the Habits of S.U.C.C.E.S.S.  His multifaceted communications career includes eight years as a congressional aide followed by senior-level speechwriting and executive communications positions at MCI, GTE and Pepsi-Cola International.  In 1996, Mr. Cossolotto formed Ovations International (“Home of the Standing O®”), providing a wide range of clients with speechwriting, speech coaching and public relations services.  Cossolotto has developed a series of innovative “Podium Power” workshops based on the concept of “Whole-Brain Speaking” – designed to help people become more confident, comfortable and authentic speakers by integrating Left Brain (content/preparation-based) and Right Brain (connection/presence-based) functions.  He speaks to audiences about Podium Power, The Joy of Speaking and HabitForce!  Visit www.ovations.com for more information.