Successful Speaking for Technical Professionals

“What you do for yourself dies with you. What you do for others is immortal.” — Albert Pike, attorney and writer

On this Memorial Day, it is proper to remember those who have given their lives so we may enjoy our freedom. 

Memorial Day in the United States began as a way to honor and remember soldiers who died in military service, particularly those who died during the Civil War, both Union and Confederate.

Those families touched by the tragedy of war no doubt have memories of their fallen sons, daughters...

“It’s not the words that count, but the moment you made them feel something.” — Nancy Duarte, CEO of Duarte, Inc., and author of Resonate

A compelling and under-discussed topic for public speakers is the power of micro-moments – how small interactions shape audience perception.

These micro-moments have a significant effect on engagement with your audience. 

In this week's podcast episode, we will discover just what are micro-moments, where micro-moments happen in a presentation, and how to design micro-moments into your presentations.

References 

“If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend six sharpening my axe.”
— Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States

In my weekly articles, I have extensively discussed how to create, practice, and deliver presentations. However, I have not often discussed what you should do before you create your presentation.

Before creating your presentation, you should take three essential preparatory steps to ensure your message is relevant, practical, and engaging. 

These foundational actions lay the groundwork for clarity, audience connection, and the impact of your presentati...

“If you listen to your audience, they will tell you what you need to know.” — Lee Clow, American advertising executive, best known for creating the iconic “1984” Apple Macintosh commercial.

Speakers often consider what their audience can learn from them. Have you ever considered how much you can learn from your audience?

This podcast episode explores three ways you can learn from your audience.

References

“When you position your customer [or audience] as the hero and yourself as the guide, you win the day.” -  Donald Miller in his book Building a StoryBrand 2.0: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen
 
 

Donald Miller’s book, Building a StoryBrand 2.0: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen (Harper Collins Leadership, 2025), discusses making your client the hero of your interaction. You are the guide who leads them to the solution to their challenge. 

This is directly applicable when you speak to your audience. Do you know their challenges, and do you lead them to th...

"Designing a presentation without an audience in mind is like writing a love letter and addressing it 'to whom it may concern.'" — Ken Haemer, Presentation Research Manager at AT&T

This podcast episode covers the nitty-gritty of how to create, practice, and deliver excellent presentations.

It contains practical processes for doing this you can implement immediately. 

“Ideas are worthless unless you can make them heard.” — Phil Cooke, media consultant and speaker

You were immersed in engineering or scientific matters in your engineering school or school of science. 

You then work in industry or government where you want to practice engineering and science.

Somewhere along the way, hopefully early, you realize you must “sell” your ideas to get ahead. It comes as a shock. You thought all you needed to succeed was sound engineering or science. 

Unfortunately, unless you can convey your thoughts intelligently in public, there will be...

“Champions don’t do extraordinary things. They do ordinary things better than everyone else.” – Tony Dungy, former NFL player and coach, best known for leading the Indianapolis Colts to a Super Bowl win

Vince Lombardi, the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers football team, on taking over as head coach of the Packers, said, “I am not going to change anything. We will use the same players, the same plays and the same training system. But we will concentrate on becoming brilliant on the basics.”

Becoming brilliant at the basics of public speaking has...

“The worst part of holding the camera up to speak is knowing that no one is really there to nod or smile back at you.” — Unknown

This week, my son Frank returned from a six-month Navy submarine deployment. He is a nuclear officer on the USS Indiana fast-attack submarine. My wife Elaine and I are very proud of him for defending our great country.

I thought about how my son and the other sailors on his boat must feel isolated being underwater for months. They have no contact with the outs...

“Everybody wants to win. However, there are few people who want to prepare to win.” - Paul “Bear” Bryant, legendary coach of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team

Today’s professional speakers face several challenges that can impact their effectiveness and career growth. 

Here are three key concerns of today’s professional speakers and how to address them:

____________________________

References

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker, renowned management consultant, educator, and author,

As a professional speaker, you must manage various business aspects to build and sustain your career. 

We will examine three key business matters for you as a professional speaker in this podcast episode.

__________________________

References

“Everyone who got where they are had to begin where they were.” – Richard Paul Evans, American author best known for writing The Christmas Box

As a speaker, you may often experience imposter syndrome, a psychological phenomenon in which you doubt your abilities and fear being exposed as a fraud despite evidence of your competence. 

In this episode, we will examine three key reasons why you may feel like an imposter and what you can do to overcome these feelings, supported by references (at the end of this article) from psychological research and commu...

“Of all the talents bestowed upon men, none is so precious as the gift of oratory. He who enjoys it wields a power more durable than that of a great king.” -- Winston Churchill, British statesman, military officer, and writer who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945 (during the Second World War) and again from 1951 to 1955.

In this world of accelerating technological speed, it would be good if we stepped back in time instead of stepping forward to reveal what three legendary speakers can teach us about public speaking.

In this...

"The future of public speaking is not about a solitary orator on a stage—it's a dynamic interplay between technology and human connection, where immersive digital experiences bring audiences closer than ever before." – Will Higham, behavioral futurist, author, and speaker known for exploring emerging trends in communication

It is hard to imagine the transformation in speaking in store for us as we speak.

This transformation is possible because of the rapid acceleration of technology.

This podcast episode examines three ways public speaking is expected to evolve.

<...

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” — Walt Disney, American animator, film producer, voice actor, and entrepreneur

Self-motivation, overcoming obstacles, and becoming a better leader are crucial for public speakers.

They directly influence your ability to engage audiences, inspire action, and maintain effectiveness over time. 

In this episode, you will discover why each of these areas is vital to you as a speaker:

References

“A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” – William Arthur Ward, American inspirational writer

In the hit cartoon movie Madagascar, there is a group of talking penguins led by “the Skipper.” One of the penguins asks, “Skipper, don’t you think we should tell them the boat’s out of gas?” The Skipper simply says, “Nah! Smile and wave, boys. Smile and wave.”

As a speaker, how can you greatly benefit from smiling and waving to your audience?

Smiling and waving before speaking can offer several advantages that enhance your delivery and audience en...

“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” – Charles Darwin (1809–1882), naturalist, geologist, and biologist

Have you ever considered that adaptability is key to you delivering an excellent presentation? How do you develop the ability to be adaptable “on the fly?”

Seamlessly adaptable speakers can adjust their delivery, content, and engagement strategies based on the situation, ensuring their message remains impactful. 

In this episode, you will discover three essential techniques for you to be adaptable during your presentations.<

“When you walk into a room, own it. Let your presence be felt. Confidence isn’t just about what you say; it’s about how you carry yourself.” - Oprah Winfrey, Media Mogul and Philanthropist

To own a room effectively, speakers can employ several strategies:

This podcast episode explores three strategies:  exuding confidence, engaging through storytelling, and mastering delivery techniques.



Reference

1.    Magnetic Speaking 

"Speed reading is a skill that allows you to process information more efficiently, which is critical for anyone who wants to communicate effectively in today’s fast-paced world."  – Tony Buzan, British author and educational consultant, best known for his work on mind mapping and mental literacy

Have you ever thought how reading at a faster rate can help you become a better speaker? Probably not.

This episode will explore three ways reading faster will enhance your speaking.



References

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” — Robert Collier, American author and publisher

Maintaining motivation is a challenge for speakers like you.  

This episode explores three ways you as a speaker can maintain your motivation.

“Your content is your voice. Post consistently, and the right people will hear you.” – Unknown

One of the most common ways to become known as a speaker is to post your content regularly on various electronic platforms.

This episode reviews three platforms you can use to post your speaker content online.


References

“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” – Pericles, Greek politician and general during the Golden Age of Athens

Public speaking has always been a cornerstone of societal change, personal influence, and cultural growth. 

From ancient forums to modern stages, powerful speeches have shaped our world.

In this podcast, you will discover three ways your public speaking leaves a legacy.


References 

“The most powerful person in the world is the storyteller. The storyteller sets the vision, values, and agenda of an entire generation that is to come.” –- Steve Jobs, American businessman, inventor, and investor best known for co-founding the technology company Apple Inc.

Have you ever thought about why you speak to your audience? 

Although the number of topics you can speak on is limitless, there are only a few primary reasons to talk to your audience. They are to inform, persuade, or inspire others.

This article will explore these three reasons...

“A panel discussion is a great way to explore multiple viewpoints, but it only succeeds if the panelists are engaged and the moderator knows when to steer or step back.” — Nancy Duarte, American writer and speaker

You may be asked to moderate a panel discussion one day.

In this podcast, we will explore ways you can prepare, conduct, and follow up as the moderator of a panel discussion.

"If you can't write your message in a sentence, you can't say it in an hour." — Dianna Booher, American author and communication expert

It's the holiday season, and you have more than a few things to do. So, how do you get them all done?  

The key to a happy holiday season is to prioritize the items you need to accomplish and then complete them one at a time. If you do this, you won't complete all the items on your "To Do" list, but you will complete the most important ones.

Th...

"Speak clearly, if you speak at all; carve every word before you let it fall."  -  Oliver Wendell Holmes, American jurist who served as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court

Do you have challenges answering technical questions from the audience during your presentations? You are not alone.  

Fortunately, there is a myriad of information on how to overcome the challenges presented by audience questions.

In this week's episode, we explore three of these challenges and how you can overcome them


______________________________________________


References

"If computers get too powerful, we can organize them into committees. That'll do them in."  -  Author unknown

When technical issues occur during a presentation, technical professionals can take a few key actions to address and resolve them efficiently. 

In this episode, we explore three critical steps that technical people can take to address and resolve presentation technical issues:

“Approach each customer with the idea of helping him or her to solve a problem or achieve a goal, not of selling a product or service.” – Brian Tracy, self-development expert

Selling a technical idea through a technical presentation involves more than just delivering technical details; it requires making the idea compelling and relatable to your audience. 

In this week's podcast, we will discover three of the best ways for technical professionals to achieve this:

"If you want something stuck in someone's head, put it in a sequence of three."

— Brian Clark, Canadian businessman

The "power of three" is a communication and presentation technique based on the principle that people tend to process, remember, and respond well to information presented in groups of three. 

This concept suggests that three points, ideas, or examples create a sense of completeness and balance, making complex information more accessible to understand and recall. 

In practice, it leverages the natural human preference for triads, making messages more impactful and memor...

Have you ever been interrupted in your presentations by an audience question?  The question may or may not be Germaine to your presentation topic

Dealing with presentation interruptions and topic detours can be challenging, but effective strategies exist to manage them. This podcast episode details three strategies you can use

In your technical career, you will realize you must sell your ideas to get ahead in your career.

To a large extent, you can sell your ideas through presentations.  However, how do you overcome your lack of confidence in delivering presentations?

In this episode, we explore three effective strategies to overcome your lack of confidence in delivering presentations.

Technical people are often frustrated with how management or marketing teams may prioritize style and polish over the actual content or data. 

 This style and polish can feel superficial to technical people who value substance and accuracy.

The key to an excellent technical presentation is to find the right balance between style and polish and substance and accuracy

To balance style and polish with actual content or data in a technical presentation, technical people should focus on three strategies: simplify the visual design, prioritize key data, and tell the technical story.

Technical professionals are often asked to explain complex information under a time constraint.

You can effectively condense complex projects or data in a short time while maintaining critical technical information by employing the following strategies:  visual communication, executive summaries, modular documentation.

“People who know what they’re talking about don’t need PowerPoint.”  -  Steve Jobs, American businessman, inventor, and investor best known for co-founding the technology company Apple Inc. 

While this might sound a bit extreme, the essence of the Steve Jobs quote is clear: to truly engage, you must focus on more than just slides—you need to connect with your audience. This can be challenging but not impossible in the world of technical presentations.

Imagine you’re in a room full of people with dim lights. You’re about to deliver a highly technical...

"By visualizing information, we turn it into a landscape that you can explore with your eyes. A sort of information map.”  -  David McCandless, writer, designer & creative director living in London

Technical people delivering technical presentations have an additional burden which non-technical speakers don't have to worry about– how to represent data on their slides.

Regarding data representation in technical presentation slides, presenters should focus on the following focus areas: (1) Accurate and Objective Representation of Data, (2)  Consistency in Visual and Content Representation, and (3) Inclusivity and Accessibility in Representation

As a technical professional, you may often experience specific frustrations related to the complexity of content in your presentations.

In this podcast episode, we will explore three frustrations you may have experienced and what to do about them:  overwhelming detail, audience knowledge gaps, and balancing technical depth and clarity.

Welcome to “Successful Speaking for Technical Professionals,” the podcast dedicated to helping you shine in the spotlight and deliver your technical expertise with flair. I’m your host, Frank DiBartolomeo.

In each episode, I will draw from my over 40 years experience as an engineer and over 30 years experience as a Toastmaster to explore the nuances of presenting complex information in a way that resonates and engages.

Whether you're a software engineer, data scientist, or any tech professional eager to polish your presentation skills, this show is for you. We’ll tackle everything from crafting clear and comp...

Why do people still go to the movies? Because everyone loves a story.

In these weekly articles on public speaking, I have often talked about the power of story in your public speaking. However, do you also use stories in your technical presentations?

When you use stories in your technical presentations, you demonstrate how the technology is used in the real world.

Using stories in your technical presentations can translate complex information into readily “digestible” information for your audience.

In today's episode, we'll discuss three ways to use stories in your tech...

Forbes Magazine tells us the number one fear of people is public speaking.

This is unfortunate because speaking intelligently to an audience, engaging them, and leaving them with something that will improve their personal and professional lives will do more to advance your career than anything else.

Some people believe technical expertise is what companies prize. They do, but it is much easier to find technical talent than someone with excellent public speaking skills who can positively influence the company’s customers to award contracts to the company.

This week’s episode will expl...