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Posts by Doug Staneart

Doug Staneart headshot for profile

Doug Staneart

Doug Staneart is the CEO of The Leader's Institute. LLC and founder of the Fearless Presentations class. He is author of Fearless Presentations, Mastering Presentations, and 28 Ways to Influence People.

What to Avoid in a Speech - 13 Phrases to Avoid At All Costs
What to Avoid in a Speech – 13 Phrases to Avoid At All Costs Free Public Speaking Tips, presentation skills

Even great content can fall flat if it’s delivered poorly. One awkward phrase, one outdated cliché, or one moment of uncertainty can derail your entire presentation. That’s why knowing what to avoid in a speech is just as important as knowing what to include. You might have years of experience or the perfect PowerPoint presentation,…

Question and Answer - Handling Q and A Questions the Right Way
Question and Answer – Handling Q and A Questions the Right Way Free Public Speaking Tips, presentation skills

It’s happened to everyone. You deliver a well thought out speech. Well rehearsed, well received, well done, everything is looking up. All that practicing and writing and drafting is finally paying off and you’re ready to walk off stage to thunderous applause. That’s when, out of the corner of your eye, as you’re beginning to…

How to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills in One Week
How to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills in One Week or Less Free Public Speaking Tips, presentation skills

You can improve your public speaking skills very quickly. In fact, if you follow this simple guide, I can promise you, in less than a week, you will be a much, much better presenter. Now keep in mind, I’m not saying you’ll be a $50,000 per hour keynote speaker in a week. And, no, if…

San Diego and Imperial Center for Excellence Custom Presentation Class
San Diego & Imperial Center for Excellence Custom Presentation Class Past Fearless Presentations ® Classes

We had a really fun time leading a custom public speaking class in San Diego for the San Diego and Imperial Center for Excellence. This custom 2-day Fearless Presentations® class took place June 12–13, 2025, at MiraCosta College in beautiful San Diego, CA. When I boarded a plane from Dallas, it was already 95 degrees….

how-to-stop-saying-um-when-presenting
How to Stop Saying Um When Presenting presentation skills

How to stop saying Um is one of the most common public speaking concerns. Um is a filler word. And filler words are a natural part of everyday conversation. A surprising fact, though, is that you’ll actually sound strange (or even fake) to your audience if you don’t use any filler words. However, there is…

How-to-Overcome-Stage-Fright-in-Three-Easy-Steps
How to Overcome Stage Fright in Three Easy Steps Free Public Speaking Tips, Podcasts

If you search the internet, you will find thousands of experts claiming they can show you how to overcome stage fright. And you’ll likely get hundreds of tips that will help you reduce or overcome the symptoms of stage fright. However, just masking the symptoms won’t help you eliminate this specific type of performance anxiety….