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Never Miss a WordLast month, we ran our latest “Questions as Power Tools” Power Drill session at SSA — and the room was electric. From the very first “What if?” to the final “Why not now?” it was clear: when used right, questions don’t just prompt answers — they shift energy, open minds, and build bridges.
For many speakers, questions are often underused or misused. Some get stuck in monologue mode. Others avoid asking questions entirely, fearing loss of control. But here’s the truth: questions, when thoughtfully employed, are the power tools that elevate your communication from passive to participatory.
What Makes Questions So Powerful?
Last week’s drill walked through open-ended questions, closed-ended ones, probing questions, leading, hypothetical, rhetorical, and reflective ones. The spotlight was on two game-changers: rhetorical questions and open-ended questions. When used together, they first provoke thought then invite conversation.
Strategy Spotlight: Transform Statements into Questions
Instead of starting a talk with “Today, I want to talk about teamwork,” rework it to “Can we talk about what makes a team really work?”
- Statement: “Stress is a common problem.”
- Rhetorical Question: “Aren’t we all feeling a little stressed these days?”
Listeners go from passively receiving a message to mentally engaging with it. Great communicators don’t just speak at their audience — they speak with them.
🔗 You might also like: Asking The Right Questions: Connecting with Curiosity and The Power of Question Connection: Unlocking Meaningful Engagement
The Neuroscience of Asking Better Questions
- Questions Trigger Brain Activity: Asking a question lights up the brain’s Broca’s area, jump-starting your listener’s mental engagement.
- They Activate Mirror Neurons: Open-ended or reflective questions allow listeners to feel with the speaker.
- Questions Create Reciprocity: Asking a question invites a question back, building rapport and deepening dialogue.
Three Ways to Use Questions as Power Tools
1. Open with a Hook Question — “Who here wants to make a difference but feels stuck?”
2. Embed Thought-Starters Throughout — “Why do we settle for good when we’re capable of great?”
3. Close with a Reflective Prompt — “What one question will you ask yourself tonight that could change everything tomorrow?”
Want to transform your communication? Explore our membership and upcoming events. For more, see Harvard Business Review’s research on the power of questions.
There’s a specific moment in every Power Drill where things just click. You feel that quick jolt of adrenaline and your mind begins racing to find the right words. Suddenly, you realize you can’t lean on filler words or old habits anymore. You’re forced to speak with intention at this very second. That’s exactly the point.
At Speaker Skills Academy, Skills Drills are our 90-minute sessions offering space to play with ideas, explore presence, and build confidence. Power Drills are a different beast — 60-minute, high-intensity sprints. Think of it like HIIT training for your voice.
Why the Intensity Works
Most people practice speaking in a way that feels safe. But the real world is rarely safe or predictable. Power Drills recreate the mess of real-life communication: a question comes out of left field, your time gets cut in half, you have to pivot your point immediately.
When you practice under pressure, you stop relying on comfort and start relying on raw skill.
🔗 You might also like: The Power of Practice: Why Skills Drills Transform Your Speaking and Punchline Precision: Making Your Points Unforgettable
The Logic Behind the Method
- Finding the Sweet Spot: Power Drills hit the “desirable difficulty” level — hard enough to stretch your limits but short enough that you don’t burn out.
- Real-Time Retrieval: You are training your brain to grab the right idea, the right word, and the right structure in a split second.
- Building Muscle Memory: One hour of high-focus practice beats two hours of relaxed rehearsal every single time.
Training Over Performing
Power Drills are about training, not performing. By isolating a single skill and hitting it repeatedly, you learn to keep your head when the heat is on, stay present when put on the spot, and read the room instantly.
- Skills Drills: 90 minutes of exploratory, playful practice to build your foundation.
- Power Drills: 60 minutes of high-octane, laser-focused training to sharpen your edge.
Pressure does not have to break you. If you train right, it is exactly what builds you.
Ready to experience the intensity? Check out our events calendar and explore membership options. Learn more about the science of deliberate practice from NIH research.
At Speaker Skills Academy, we’re kicking off the new year with a session called Volume of Intention, led by Marc Williams. While the title sounds simple, the concept behind it is anything but. Most people think volume is just about being heard — Coach Marc challenges that immediately. Volume is about emotion, connection, and how your voice makes people feel.
Volume Is Not a Switch. It Is a Dial.
On a boombox, volume is a dial, not a switch.
Volume is not just about people hearing you in the back of the room. It is about them feeling your words. Feeling your story. Feeling your message. That is the difference between sound and impact.
Volume Carries Emotional Weight
- You can be quiet and powerful at the same time.
- You can be loud and warm at the same time.
- You can be big and intimate at the same time.
The power you hold is not in how loud you speak. It is in how intentionally you control your voice.
🔗 You might also like: Vocal Expression: Speaking Better by Fine-Tuning Your Voice and Magnetic Stage Presence: 5 Tips to Engage & Inspire
Volume Shapes Meaning and Memory
- A sudden drop in volume can feel intimate.
- A sudden rise can feel powerful.
- A slow shift can feel thoughtful.
Mr. Rogers used a lower volume to make children feel safe. President Barack Obama mastered his volume, knowing when to rise, when to soften, and when to pause. Comedians like Kevin Hart and Robin Williams build energy loudly, then lower their voice to land the punchline.
Why Breath Matters
Marc reminds us that projection does not live in the throat. It lives in the air. Volume starts with breath. Every breathing drill is not just warm-up — it is foundation.
Training the Voice Like a Craft
At Speaker Skills Academy, we do not treat speaking as a talent. We treat it as a craft. Volume is a skill you practice — through whispering, through shifting, through contrast, through awareness.
Ready to train your voice like a craft? Explore our membership and see what Julian Treasure says about how to speak so people listen.
In one of our latest Skills Drill™ sessions, Back Pocket Closer, we learned all about having a killer line ready for those spontaneous moments — mid-convo, in an interview, or networking and need to wrap things up with confidence. Marc Williams led the room through exercises that were equal parts brain workout and fun.
What’s a Back Pocket Closer?
A Back Pocket Closer isn’t your big, rehearsed speech. It’s that quick, ready-to-go line you can drop anytime:
- Short and simple — easy to remember on the spot
- Flexible — works in almost any situation
- Memorable — makes a real impression
Think Walter Cronkite’s “And that’s the way it is,” Carol Burnett’s “I’m so glad we had this time together,” or Mr. Rogers’ “I’ll be back. When the day is new.”
🔗 You might also like: Put It on a Pedestal: Amplifying Your Message with Intentionality and Punchline Precision: Making Your Points Unforgettable
Types of Back Pocket Closers
- Meaning Maker — “If you remember one thing, let it be this.”
- Call to Action — “Try this week and see what happens.”
- Power Line — “Start small. Stay steady. Make it count.”
- Emotional Drop — “The gift of speaking up? We don’t grow alone.”
- Echo Closer — “Opening scared, closing proud of who you’ve become.”
- Humor Button — “And that’s when I retired from giving advice to strangers in Target.”
- Future Forward — “The next chapter starts with your next choice. Tomorrow is waiting.”
Why Back Pocket Closers Work
Practicing these quick closers helps you stop rambling, sound confident even off the cuff, connect authentically, and tap into autopilot so you stay calm under pressure.
Explore our events at Speaker Skills Academy. For more insight, check out Forbes on the art of closing a speech and Nancy Duarte’s TED Talk on the secret structure of great talks.
Start Owning Those Spontaneous Moments →
December 12 is International Speaker Skills Day — a reminder that speaking well is not a talent you’re born with, but a skill you can build, sharpen, and deploy to level up every area of your life.
Here’s the truth: people get overlooked, underpaid, and unheard every day — not because they lack intelligence or ideas, but because they lack the ability to communicate them effectively. Clear, confident, impactful communication isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s survival.
Speaking is a skill, and like all skills, it grows with practice.
🔗 You might also like: The Power of Practice: Why Skills Drills Transform Your Speaking and Elevating Your Impact & Speaking to Advance Your Career
Speaking Skills vs Toastmasters: Practicing for Life, Not Just Speeches
- SSA: Hands-on Skills Drills, practicing in real time, developing muscle memory through repetition
- Toastmasters: Prepared speeches and feedback, honing skills over time via evaluation
Key Takeaway: SSA emphasizes repetition, drills, and real-world application — making it ideal for building professional and personal communication that improves your daily interactions.
Speaking well isn’t optional. It’s essential. Happy International Speaker Skills Day! Drill your way to better speaking!
Explore our membership options at Speaker Skills Academy. For more insight, check out Toastmasters public speaking resources.
Level Up Your Speaking Skills →
Our latest Speaker Skills Academy session, Character in Command, was all about pushing your speaking beyond the usual and exploring how characters and perspectives can expand your emotional range. The room was buzzing with energy as we jumped into exercises that looked simple at first but quickly turned into serious vocal and emotional workouts.
Good Morning Drill: Command Your Character
A quick but powerful way to explore how tone, body, and energy can transform a simple line:
- Step 1: Say “Good morning” like you normally would — no frills, just the baseline.
- Step 2: Pick a character — an excited news anchor, a grumpy cat, a dramatic Shakespearean hero.
- Step 3: Adjust your voice — pitch, pace, volume, and rhythm.
- Step 4: Add body language — gestures, posture, and facial expressions.
- Step 5: Switch it up — swap characters on the fly, add unexpected emotions.
🔗 You might also like: Vocal Expression: Speaking Better by Fine-Tuning Your Voice and Finding the Funny in the Ordinary: Speaking with Humor
Story + Emotion Drill: Expanding Character Range
Tell a story through different perspectives — first person, second person, then from an object’s point of view — while dropping emotions like proud, inspired, skeptical, or vulnerable on the fly.
Session Takeaways
- Every line you say has the potential to be expressive. Even “Good morning” can become a performance.
- Perspective matters. Seeing the story through different eyes unlocks creativity and emotional depth.
- Emotions are energy. Practicing different emotional deliveries makes your communication richer and more authentic.
- Authenticity wins. Leaders who fully inhabit their characters get noticed and remembered.
Explore our events at Speaker Skills Academy. For more insight, check out MasterClass on tone of voice techniques.
Every year there comes that moment at the Thanksgiving table when the room suddenly goes quiet. Forks pause mid-bite. Someone taps a glass and all eyes turn to you. You’re expected to give a toast with no warning, no notes, and no preparation. That pressure makes the moment feel bigger than it really is.
This unexpected spotlight is actually one of the best opportunities to practice real speaking. It forces you to focus on presence and clarity, and reminds you that public speaking doesn’t always have to happen on a stage or in front of strangers.
🔗 You might also like: Back Pocket Closer: Nailing That Closing Line and Voice of Reason: Harnessing Composure in Communication
1. Pick One Clear Point but Make It Unexpected
Instead of defaulting to “I am thankful for family,” choose something specific and real. A detail that is relatable and a little humorous will make your gratitude feel memorable and set the tone for your toast.
2. Add a Story, Image, or Twist
Bring your point to life with a short anecdote that engages the senses. When you give the audience something to picture, they experience your gratitude rather than just hear about it.
3. Slow Down, Sprinkle in Emotion, and Finish Clean
Take a breath before you begin. Speak at a pace that gives your words room to land. Finish with one simple line that ties your toast together. A clear and heartfelt ending signals confidence and lets the audience move naturally into the celebration.
Thanksgiving is a rare moment to practice speaking in front of people who already care about you. It is a reminder that communication is not about perfection — it is about presence, storytelling, and making others feel something real.
Explore our membership options at Speaker Skills Academy. For more insight, check out Harvard Business Review on overcoming speaking fear.
At Speaker Skills Academy, we practice it. One of the most powerful tools in communication is timing, especially the strategic pause. Timing gives your words weight, makes humor land, and turns good points into great ones. But there is a science behind it that can help anyone master it.
Good Points vs. Great Points
When you pause at the right moment or structure your delivery strategically, you create a cognitive surprise. This surprise acts like a highlighter in your audience’s brain. Dopamine is released. Attention spikes. Your point becomes memorable and quotable.
The Rule of Threes: How Humor Hooks the Brain
- You establish a pattern.
- You repeat the pattern.
- You break the pattern with an unexpected twist — the punchline.
This twist violates the brain’s expectation. That moment of cognitive recalibration releases dopamine, producing laughter, delight, or insight.
🔗 You might also like: Punchline Precision: Finding Humor in the Unexpected and Put It on a Pedestal: Amplifying Your Message with Intentionality
Why Pauses Work
- The brain’s frontal cortex anticipates the next word.
- When you pause strategically, this prediction is delayed, creating suspense.
- Suspense heightens focus and sets up your point for maximum impact.
The Neuroscience Behind Impactful Speaking
- Prediction error — The brain notices when things are unexpected.
- Cognitive recalibration — The brain quickly resolves the surprise, increasing attention.
- Dopamine release — Positive reinforcement makes the audience feel good and remember your points.
Timing, pauses, and punchlines are learnable skills. With practice, anyone can make their points memorable, create laughter, and command attention.
Explore our events at Speaker Skills Academy. For more insight, check out Amy Cuddy’s TED Talk on body language and confidence.
As speakers and leaders, we’re usually taught to be the ones with the answers. But the real secret to deep connection isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about knowing how to ask the right questions.
One of our coaches, Alexina Shaber, recently opened up about how questions change everything. She believes questions are your most powerful tool for building real connections, getting clear on problems, and facing tough issues head-on.
The Three Simple Rules of Better Asking
1. Just Ask: Get Rid of the Filters
Let your curiosity run free. Approach people like a kid who wants to know everything. Give yourself permission to ask the honest question that could open up the whole room.
2. Ask the Right Questions to Actually Connect
These questions help you dig past the small talk and get to the emotional core. It’s the fastest way to forge a moment of real human connection.
3. Ask the Necessary Questions to Find Out What’s Real
Humility is the mark of a great communicator. The necessary question helps you move past arguments and truly understand why someone is doing what they are doing.
🔗 You might also like: Questions as Power Tools: How Smart Speakers Spark Connection and The Power of Question Connection: Unlocking Meaningful Engagement
From 300 to 6: The Communication Mystery
Kids ask around 300 questions a day, but adults ask only about 6.
We stopped being question-askers and became stuck as answer-givers. If we want better connections as adults, we have to find that brave, childlike spirit again.
Your Immediate Skills Drill™: The Three-Question Rule
The next time someone shares a story, an idea, or a problem, make yourself ask exactly three follow-up questions before you offer any advice:
- Clarification: To make sure you truly understand the facts.
- Feeling: To understand the emotional side (“How did that moment make you feel?”).
- Deeper Context: To find out the “why.”
Explore our membership options at Speaker Skills Academy. For more insight, check out HBR on the surprising power of questions.
At Speaker Skills Academy, we do it. Our most recent Open Session was all about facing one of the biggest fears out there: speaking in front of people. But instead of letting fear take over, we learned how to turn that nervous energy into fire.
Turning Fear Into Fire
The brain doesn’t know the difference between excitement and anxiety. So, we trick it. We tell it we’re excited.
Through movement, breathing, and mindset shifts, we transformed nervous tension into focused energy.
Understanding the 3 Levels of Stage Fright
- Audience Panic: That moment when your body freezes or floods with fear.
- Audience Fear: The shaky hands, sweaty palms, or racing heartbeat that hits right before you speak.
- Audience Tension: The subtle nerves that even seasoned speakers feel before stepping on stage.
🔗 You might also like: Voice of Reason: Harnessing Composure in Communication and Speaker Swag: Building Confidence Through Practice
What We Can Learn from the Greats
Warren Buffett, Barbra Streisand, Gandhi, and Richard Branson all dealt with stage fright. None of them were fearless. They simply learned to channel that fear into focus, energy, and presence. Great speakers are not born brave — they are made through practice and perspective.
The Power of Community
The Speaker Skills Academy has completely transformed the way I speak. It has made me a better coach, a better trainer, a better father, and a better human being. This community is loving, supportive, and powerful.
Explore our events at Speaker Skills Academy. For more insight, check out Amy Cuddy on transforming anxiety into confidence.
In one of our recent Skills Drill™ sessions we explored a simple technique called “Yes, and.” At first it felt like improv fun, but once you try it you realize how powerful it can be for sparking creativity, building on ideas, and making conversations flow.
From Improv to Real Talk
We kicked things off with a storytelling exercise. Each member added a line that started with “Yes, and,” which forced us to accept what came before and keep building. No shutting things down, no “but,” just adding on.
Later in breakout groups, members brought up real-life situations like coaching challenges, career changes, and personal growth. That is when it clicked. “Yes, and” wasn’t just an improv rule — it opened up deeper conversations, made people feel heard, and gave space for new ideas to show up.
🔗 You might also like: Character in Command: Practicing Prosody and Permission to Play: Unlocking Creativity and Engagement in Speaking
Different Ways to Use It
- Expanding on a detail: taking one piece and exploring it further
- Shifting the angle: adding on while nudging the conversation in a new direction
- Connecting to yourself: bringing in your own insight or experience
- Changing direction: moving things somewhere new while still honoring what came before
Being Intentional
If you just throw in “Yes, and” everywhere, it feels fake. But if you choose how and when to use it, the effect is powerful. “Yes, and” is more than improv. It is a habit that changes how you show up in conversations, in coaching, and in life.
Explore our membership options at Speaker Skills Academy. For more insight, check out the TED Talk on the power of Yes, And.
At Speaker Skills Academy, networking can feel awkward or forced, but when done with presence and authenticity, it becomes one of the most valuable skills you can develop.
Reframing Networking as Connection, Not Transaction
Networking is often seen as transactional — collecting business cards or securing quick opportunities. At Speaker Skills Academy, we flip that approach. Networking is about generosity and curiosity, not transactions. Tony, one of our SSA members, shared how focusing on genuine interest rather than outcomes transformed his networking entirely.
🔗 You might also like: Asking The Right Questions: Connecting with Curiosity and Elevating Your Impact & Speaking to Advance Your Career
Finding Common Ground Quickly
When you lead with curiosity, common ground appears faster than you expect — and those connections are what make networking feel natural instead of forced.
Practicing Exit Strategies the SSA Way
Starting conversations is one challenge. Ending them gracefully is another. Many people fall back on excuses — but a graceful exit signals respect and leaves the door open for future connection.
Takeaways: Building Networking Skills That Stick
- Reframe networking as generosity: Focus on giving and curiosity rather than transactions.
- Find common ground fast: Use questions to uncover shared experiences and values.
- Master graceful exits: Leave conversations with respect and intention, not excuses.
Explore our events at Speaker Skills Academy. For more insight, check out HBR’s guide to learning to love networking.
It’s time to elevate your communication. Make your move from passionate monologue to intentional, adaptive communication — a powerful shift that transforms how your message is received. At Speaker Skills Academy, we practice tuning in to our audience’s preferences using the S.A.I.D. model.
3 Facts About Why Going Beyond the Soapbox Works
- Mirror Neurons Enhance Connection: When speakers adjust their message based on the listener’s response, they trigger the audience’s mirror neurons.
- Adaptive Speaking Activates Empathy Centers: Reading social cues and shifting communication styles activates areas of the brain tied to empathy and theory of mind.
- Cognitive Flexibility Makes You More Memorable: Fluidly shifting between communication styles breaks predictable cognitive patterns and heightens audience engagement.
🔗 You might also like: Vocab Versatility: Effective Leadership and Communication and Volume of Intention: Why How Loud You Speak Matters
The S.A.I.D. Styles
- Support: “Have you ever felt unseen in a room full of people?” (Emotional validation)
- Advance: “Here are three actionable steps to solve this issue.” (Efficiency and clarity)
- Immerse: “Let’s walk through the data, step by step.” (Detailed exploration)
- Discern: “Here’s what works — and where this might fall short.” (Balanced perspective)
Ready to leave the soapbox behind? Explore our membership options at Speaker Skills Academy. For more insight, check out Julian Treasure’s TED Talk on speaking so people listen.
At Speaker Skills Academy, we know that how you say something carries as much weight as what you say. This session wasn’t about learning to talk louder — it was about learning to speak with intention and clarity.
Start with Breath, Build from There
- Balloon Belly Breathing: Inhale deeply through the diaphragm, inflating the belly like a balloon, and release with controlled sound.
- Four-Count Breathing: Breathe in for four counts, hold for four, and exhale with a powerful “ha.”
- Volume Elevator: Repeat “This voice belongs to me” at four levels: whisper, conversational, confident, and room-filling.
🔗 You might also like: Volume of Intention: Why How Loud You Speak Matters and Magnetic Stage Presence: 5 Tips to Engage & Inspire
Storytelling Through Vocal Layers
Each person told a story four different ways: as if speaking to one person, to someone across the room, in a small auditorium, and in a large ballroom without a microphone. Each version demanded different energy and vocal choices.
Final Takeaway
Vocal expression is not about being louder. It is about being intentional. With the right breath, tone, and energy, your message hits harder, lands clearer, and feels more human.
Explore our events at Speaker Skills Academy. For more insight, check out Julian Treasure on vocal power.
Prepare to have your brain rewired by the groundbreaking power of Story Flips — an exclusive technique that transforms ordinary presentations into extraordinary, unforgettable experiences.
Why Story Flipping Works: A Neuroscience Perspective
- The Von Restorff Effect: Story Flipping disrupts predictable storytelling patterns, forcing the brain to focus more intensely, which leads to stronger memory encoding.
- Emotional Processing via the Amygdala: Reverse storytelling often begins with the emotional climax, immediately drawing the audience in.
- Pattern Recognition and the Temporal Lobe: Telling stories in reverse forces the brain to engage in active reconstruction, deepening cognitive processing.
🔗 You might also like: Seeing Through New Eyes: Unlock the Magic of POV in Storytelling and The Abstract Edge: Impromptu Speech Exercises for Adults
Three Easy Ways to Incorporate Story Flipping
1. Reverse Engineer Your Success Story
Instead of starting with your struggles, begin with your victory. “I never thought I’d stand here as a keynote speaker. Three years ago, I was terrified of public speaking…”
2. Flip a Famous Story for Impact
Take a well-known story and tell it backward. “Imagine a world where an outsider is honored above all. Now, let’s rewind and see how he got there.”
3. Use the LEVEL Framework on a Personal Story
Start with the impact you’ve made (Legacy). Work backward to how you evolved, the venture you took, the key event, and your initial state.
Explore our membership options at Speaker Skills Academy. For more insight, check out Chimamanda Adichie’s TED Talk on the danger of a single story.
This time we focused entirely on Professional Presence. The response was electric. Members were not just engaged — they were transformed. From learning to own their space in the room to speaking with conviction, people left feeling more confident and intentional about how they communicate.
One Powerful Strategy for Professional Presence
One of the most enlightening exercises was the Tone Challenge. Participants were given a neutral sentence with an assigned tone and had to deliver it. The group then had to guess the intended tone. The way you say something is just as important — if not more — than what you say.
🔗 You might also like: Speaker Swag: Building Confidence Through Practice and The Silent Power of Body Language in Speaking
The Science Behind Professional Presence
- The 7-38-55 Rule: 55% of communication is body language, 38% is tone, and only 7% is the actual words spoken.
- The Power Pose Effect: Adopting expansive, open postures can increase confidence and perceived leadership ability.
- The Emotional Contagion Effect: When you project confidence and energy, people subconsciously mirror it.
Three Easy Ways to Improve Your Professional Presence
1. Master Your Posture & Movement — Move with purpose, making eye contact with your audience. This signals confidence and authority.
2. Eliminate Weak Language — Instead of “I think we should try this strategy?” say “Let’s implement this strategy.”
3. Own the Opening and Closing — People remember the first and last thing you say, so make them count.
Explore our events at Speaker Skills Academy. For more insight, check out HBR on how to give a killer presentation.
Yesterday we explored the power of Vocabulary Versatility, and the results were eye-opening. Many participants admitted that they weren’t in the habit of tailoring their language to different audiences, simplifying complex ideas, or avoiding jargon that might alienate listeners.
3 Facts About Vocabulary Versatility
- Clarity Enhances Retention: People remember information better when it’s delivered in simple, familiar terms.
- Tailoring Language Builds Connection: Speakers who adapt their vocabulary to match their audience’s knowledge level create stronger rapport and trust.
- Vivid Language Triggers Emotional Engagement: Words tied to sensory experiences activate more areas of the brain than abstract concepts.
🔗 You might also like: Beyond the Soapbox: Speaking with Adaptive Intention and Unlock the Power of Rhetorical Impact in Your Speaking
3 Easy Ways to Incorporate Vocabulary Versatility
1. Simplify Complex Sentences for Clarity
“The juxtaposition of disparate ideologies creates cognitive dissonance” becomes “When opposing ideas clash, it creates mental tension.”
2. Adjust Language Based on Audience
The same concept explained to a technical audience, a general audience, and a child requires three different approaches — and mastering this allows you to connect with anyone.
3. Use Vivid Storytelling Language
Instead of “He was extremely angry,” try: “His face turned red, his fists clenched, and his voice shook with frustration.”
Explore our membership options at Speaker Skills Academy. For more insight, check out this TED Talk on how vocabulary shapes perception.
At Speaker Skills Academy (SSA), we recently ran a Skills Drill session on “The Abstract Edge.” Many speakers struggle with making abstract concepts tangible. The Abstract Edge is about turning the intangible into something concrete, memorable, and deeply resonant.
Let’s Get Our Creative Juices Flowing
How would you explain risk to a child? Independence to a twin? Beauty to a blind person? Faith to an atheist? By forcing ourselves to think from a new perspective, we unlock fresh ways to express ideas.
🔗 You might also like: The Analogy Advantage: Unlocking Creativity in Communication and The Power of Story Flips: Transforming Your Speaking Impact
A Step-by-Step Process for Mastering The Abstract Edge
Phase 1: Define a shared understanding of an abstract concept. Example: Resilience — “The ability to recover quickly from difficulties or adversity.”
Phase 2: Deconstruct the concept into smaller, more concrete components.
Phase 3: Reconstruct with sensory-rich descriptions and metaphors. “Imagine a small tree bending in a strong wind. It’s pushed almost to the ground, but its roots hold firm, and when the wind subsides, it slowly springs back upright. That’s resilience.”
3 Easy Ways to Use The Abstract Edge
1. Make It Personal & Relatable — Start with a specific, everyday experience your audience can connect with.
2. Use Vivid Sensory Descriptions — “Uncertainty is like standing in thick fog at night, hearing footsteps behind you but not knowing if it’s a friend or a stranger.”
3. Turn Abstract Ideas into Metaphors — “Faith is like walking in the dark, trusting that the ground will still be beneath your feet.”
Explore our events at Speaker Skills Academy. For more insight, check out Chimamanda Adichie on the power of storytelling.
Unlock the magic of Everyday Observational Humor with Speaker Skills Academy (SSA), where participants quickly realize that humor doesn’t have to be forced, scripted, or over-the-top — it’s all around us, waiting to be noticed.
3 Science-Backed Facts About Why Observational Humor Works
- Humor Increases Engagement and Retention: Humor triggers the brain’s dopamine release, making the information more enjoyable and easier to recall.
- Shared Laughter Strengthens Connection: Laughing with others synchronizes brain activity, creating a profound sense of social bonding and trust.
- Humor Reduces Stress and Anxiety: Humor helps lower cortisol and boosts overall mood.
🔗 You might also like: Punchline Precision: Finding Humor in the Unexpected and Punchline Precision: Making Your Points Unforgettable
3 Easy Ways to Add Observational Humor to Your Speaking
1. Mine the Mundane for Comedy
“Why does my phone battery drain 10% just from looking at it?”
2. Use the “And Isn’t It Funny How…” Formula
Take a simple observation and expand it with unexpected absurdity.
3. Turn Small Moments into Comedic Stories
“I spent five minutes squeezing every avocado like a fruit detective, only to get home and realize it’ll be ripe for exactly 27 minutes before turning to mush.”
Explore our membership options at Speaker Skills Academy. For more insight, check out HBR on leading with humor.
This is NOT about managing nerves; it’s TOTALLY about mastering the unexpected twists in presentations and perfecting recovery techniques to keep your audience captivated, even when things deviate from your plan.
3 Science-Backed Facts About Why Guided Chaos Works
- Tactile Anchoring Reduces Anxiety: Focusing on the sensation of touch during a speech reduced public speaking anxiety by a significant 32%.
- Emotional Anchoring Enhances Delivery: Anchoring yourself in a specific emotion before speaking activates emotional resonance.
- Guided Recovery Techniques Build Trust: How speakers handle mistakes or unexpected events significantly impacts audience perception.
🔗 You might also like: From Fear to Fire: Transforming Stage Fright Into Stage Power and Voice of Reason: Harnessing Composure in Communication
3 Easy Ways to Navigate Chaos in Your Presentations
1. Anchor Yourself in an Emotion
Before stepping on stage, take 10 seconds to consciously anchor yourself in a chosen emotion, such as excitement or curiosity.
2. Use Tactile Anchoring Techniques
During your presentation, discreetly place an anchor finger on your thigh or armrest to stay grounded.
3. Turn Chaos into Connection
If you stumble, acknowledge it with humor: “Let’s pause for a moment — this might be the most suspenseful presentation you’ve ever heard!”
Explore our events at Speaker Skills Academy. For more insight, check out Amy Cuddy on managing presence under pressure.
At a recent Speaker Skills Academy (SSA) Skills Drill session, we focused on the theme of Accountability in Action — and it quickly became one of the most impactful sessions to date. One member shared, “Hearing it from yourself is the best way to hold yourself accountable.”
3 Science-Backed Facts About Accountability in Communication
- Accountability Builds Trust: Being accountable in communication fosters trust.
- It Reduces Misunderstandings: Seeking clarification reduces the likelihood of miscommunication by up to 50%.
- Accountability Increases Emotional Intelligence: Holding oneself accountable encourages self-awareness and empathy.
🔗 You might also like: Voice of Reason: Harnessing Composure in Communication and Asking The Right Questions: Connecting with Curiosity
3 Easy Ways to Incorporate Accountability into Speaking
1. Ask for Clarity
“Can you help me understand what’s not working and how I can improve it?”
2. Acknowledge Imperfections
“I misspoke earlier, and I’d like to clarify what I meant. Thank you for your patience.”
3. Use “I” Statements
Instead of “You didn’t give me enough time to prepare,” try, “I felt unprepared because I didn’t communicate my needs clearly.”
Explore our membership options at Speaker Skills Academy. For more insight, check out HBR on what good listeners actually do.
At a recent Speaker Skills Academy (SSA) Skills Drill session, we explored a powerful concept: The Analogy Advantage. One attendee shared, “I’ve always struggled to explain complex ideas simply, but analogies make it so much easier — and fun!”
3 Science-Backed Facts About the Power of Analogies
- Analogies Bridge the Knowledge Gap: They activate existing knowledge in the brain, helping people understand new information by connecting it to what they already know.
- They Enhance Memory Retention: When a concept is linked to a vivid or emotional image, the brain is more likely to store and recall that information.
- Analogies Spark Creativity: Analogical thinking stimulates the brain’s creative centers, leading to more innovative solutions.
🔗 You might also like: The Abstract Edge: Impromptu Speech Exercises for Adults and Vocab Versatility: Effective Leadership and Communication
3 Easy Ways to Incorporate Analogies into Your Speaking
1. Turn the Abstract into the Tangible
“Our workflow is like trying to funnel water through a straw — it’s slow and backed up.”
2. Draw from Everyday Experiences
“Personal growth is like planting a garden. You can’t expect blooms overnight.”
3. Use Humor to Lighten the Load
For digital security: “It’s like leaving your front door unlocked with a sign that says, ‘Free cookies inside.’”
Explore our events at Speaker Skills Academy. For more insight, check out James Geary’s TED Talk on the power of metaphor.
At a recent Speaker Skills Academy Skills Drill session, we explored the concept of the Voice of Reason. This session was all about embodying calm, composure, and confidence — so you can become a beacon of steadiness in any situation.
The session opened with a story from Alexina, who shared advice from her stepdad: “The most powerful person in the room is the most calm person in the room.”
3 Science-Backed Facts About the Voice of Reason
- Calmness Is Contagious: When you remain calm, you activate mirror neurons in others, encouraging them to reflect that calmness back.
- A Grounded Voice Projects Authority: Lower, slower tones are associated with credibility and trustworthiness.
- Pause Increases Impact: Strategic pauses allow your audience to process your message, boosting your credibility.
🔗 You might also like: From Fear to Fire: Transforming Stage Fright Into Stage Power and Accountability in Action: Elevating Communication with Intention
3 Easy Ways to Incorporate the Voice of Reason
1. Find Your Natural Tone
Close your eyes, breathe in for six counts, hold for four, and exhale audibly for four counts with a “HAHHH” sound. This is your natural, grounded tone.
2. Reframe Challenges with Composure
“That’s a valuable insight. Let’s explore alternative ways to achieve the goal with fewer resources.”
3. Leverage the Power of the Pause
Before responding to a challenging question, take a deliberate two-second pause.
Ready to master composure and presence? Become a member of Speaker Skills Academy. For further reading, explore Psychology Today on emotional regulation.
Recently at Speaker Skills Academy, we held a Skills Drill session on “Put It on a Pedestal.” The session focused on 10 “platforms” that elevate key points, making them resonate deeply with audiences.
One of the standout strategies was the power of pausing before an important point. Participants saw how a well-timed pause could turn “This will change everything” into a moment of revelation rather than a passing comment.
3 Science-Backed Facts About Pedestaling Your Message
- Strategic Pauses Increase Retention: Pauses before or after key points improve audience retention by up to 29%.
- Gestures Reinforce Memory: Deliberate, emphatic movements create a visual anchor, helping your audience remember what you said.
- Repetition Enhances Persuasion: When you repeat an idea with words, gestures, or tone variations, it signals importance and increases believability.
🔗 You might also like: Punchline Precision: Making Your Points Unforgettable and Volume of Intention: Why How Loud You Speak Matters
3 Easy Ways to Put Your Words on a Pedestal
1. Pause Before the Punchline
“You don’t know your… limits until you go past them.”
2. Layer Gestures with Words
Pair your message with intentional gestures that reinforce what you’re saying.
3. Ask a Rhetorical Question
Instead of stating “It’s time to take action,” pose: “If not now, when?”
Ready to elevate your words? Check out our upcoming events. For further reading, explore Nancy Duarte on the secret structure of great talks.
A few weeks ago, we held a Skills Drill session at Speaker Skills Academy on the theme of Permission to Play — and the response was incredible. Many participants confessed they rarely experiment with playful ideas in their presentations.
3 Science-Backed Facts About the Power of Play
- Play Boosts Creativity: Play activates neural pathways associated with problem-solving and innovation.
- Play Reduces Stress and Anxiety: Playful activities lower cortisol levels by up to 24%.
- Play Enhances Audience Retention: Interactive and playful elements can boost audience retention by up to 33%.
🔗 You might also like: Saying “Yes, and” for Better Conversations and Finding the Funny in the Ordinary: Speaking with Humor
3 Easy Ways to Incorporate Play Into Speaking
1. Gamify Your Content
Transform your message into an interactive challenge or game for the audience.
2. Use Props to Create Unexpected Moments
An unexpected prop serves as both a conversation starter and visual aid.
3. Experiment with Playful Delivery Styles
Channel your inner performer — mimic a character or exaggerate a story for comedic effect.
Ready to give yourself permission to play? Explore our membership options. For further reading, explore Stuart Brown’s TED Talk on why play is vital.
Storytelling is everywhere — in conversations, presentations, and even casual chats with friends. But what if there was a way to make your stories even more impactful? That’s where point of view (POV) comes in. By shifting perspectives, you can take your stories from good to unforgettable.
What is POV, and Why Does It Matter?
Point of view is all about perspective — whose eyes are you asking your audience to see the story through? A first-person view offers personal insights, a third-person lens provides broader context, and unexpected perspectives can spark creativity and surprise.
🔗 You might also like: The Power of Story Flips: Transforming Your Speaking Impact and Character in Command: Practicing Prosody
The Rashomon Effect: Seeing One Story in Many Ways
The Rashomon Effect highlights how different perspectives can completely change how we perceive the same event. Movies like Crash, Gone Girl, and Vantage Point use multiple POVs to explore how bias and emotions shape interpretation.
How to Use POV in Your Stories
1. Start with an Unexpected Perspective
Describe a puppy’s escape through the eyes of its favorite toy left behind in the yard.
2. Shift Perspectives Within a Story
Share the anxiety of someone late for a meeting, then shift to another passenger who secretly enjoys the pause.
3. Use “What If” Scenarios
Start with the hurt feelings, then flip to the guilt of the forgetful friend scrambling to make it right.
At Speaker Skills Academy, we focus on creative, fresh ideas like POV that go beyond cookie-cutter advice. For further reading, explore Chimamanda Adichie’s TED Talk on the danger of a single story.
Recently, at Speaker Skills Academy, we hosted a session on Question Connection, and the feedback was incredible. The room buzzed with energy as people experimented with different types of questions, each discovering the immense power a well-crafted question can wield.
3 Fascinating Facts About the Science of Question Connection
- Questions Trigger the Curiosity Gap: Our brains instinctively seek to “close the gap,” activating focus and memory retrieval.
- Questions Create Instant Connection: Harvard research reveals that people feel more connected to those who ask thoughtful questions.
- Questions Activate Neural Pathways: When asked a deep or unexpected question, the brain engages multiple neural pathways to retrieve memories, make connections, and form insights.
🔗 You might also like: Questions as Power Tools: How Smart Speakers Spark Connection and Asking The Right Questions: Connecting with Curiosity
3 Easy Ways to Incorporate Questions into Speaking
1. Start with Curiosity-Driven Openers
Instead of “Today, we’ll discuss leadership,” try: “What makes someone unforgettable as a leader?”
2. Use Layered Questions to Deepen Engagement
First question: “What’s a challenge you overcame recently?” Follow-up: “What strengths did you discover in yourself during that process?”
3. Make Questions Relatable and Specific
Instead of “What’s your dream?” try: “If you could accomplish one thing this year, what would it be and why?”
Curious to explore the power of questions? Check out our upcoming events. For further reading, explore HBR on the surprising power of questions.
Recently at Speaker Skills Academy, we ran a Skills Drill session focused on the art of rhetorical impact. Participants quickly realized that with practice, these techniques were transformative.
Why is Rhetoric So Impactful?
- Enhances Memorability: Techniques like parallelism or anaphora create rhythm that makes content more memorable.
- Evokes Emotion: Rhetorical devices such as metaphors and hyperbole tap into emotions that are remembered longer.
- Builds Credibility: Using rhetorical questions or citing sources with skill constructs trust and authority.
🔗 You might also like: Punchline Precision: Making Your Points Unforgettable and Put It on a Pedestal: Amplifying Your Message with Intentionality
3 Easy Ways to Add Rhetorical Power
1. Alliteration Adds Appeal
“We prioritize promptness, professionalism, and personalization in our customer care.”
2. Use the Rule of Three
“This strategy is innovative, it’s scalable, and most importantly, it’s proven to work.”
3. Employ Contrast
“Before our initiative, progress was slow and morale was low. Now, we see rapid improvements and high energy across the board.”
Explore our membership. For further reading, explore Nancy Duarte on persuasive structure.
At a recent Speaker Skills Academy session, we dove into one of the most beloved — and challenging — topics: Punchline Precision. Many participants admitted, “It’s hard to be funny!” But SSA is a safe space to experiment. We discovered that creating punchlines for setups came easier than crafting setups for punchlines.
3 Science-Backed Facts About Punchlines
- Punchlines Trigger a Dopamine Release: Laughter releases dopamine, the brain’s “reward” chemical. Punchlines create a moment of surprise that activates the brain’s pleasure center.
- The Brain Loves Pattern Disruption: A punchline interrupts the expected flow, creating cognitive surprise.
- Humor Builds Connection: Shared laughter strengthens group bonds and increases trust.
🔗 You might also like: Punchline Precision: Making Your Points Unforgettable and Finding the Funny in the Ordinary: Speaking with Humor
3 Easy Ways to Add Punchlines to Your Speaking
1. Flip the Script with Unexpected Twists
“The traffic was so bad, I thought I’d accidentally signed up for a parade.”
2. Play with Short Words and Pacing
“My doctor told me to watch my drinking. Now I drink in front of a mirror.”
3. Use Self-Deprecation for Relatability
“I told my kids I used to be cool. They said, ‘When?’”
Ready to sharpen your humor? Check out our upcoming events. For further reading, explore HBR on leading with humor in the workplace.
When we think of effective speaking, most of us focus on words. However, research shows that body language plays a significant role in the way our words are digested, often speaking louder than words themselves.
The Science of First Impressions
According to Princeton psychologists, people make judgments about someone’s trustworthiness, competence, and likeability within a tenth of a second of seeing their face. Before you even speak, your body language is already setting the tone.
Mirror Neurons and Connection
Mirror neurons activate both when we perform an action and when we observe someone else doing the same. If you are animated and engaged, your audience is more likely to feel the same.
🔗 You might also like: Magnetic Stage Presence: 5 Tips to Engage & Inspire and Elevating Your Impact & Speaking to Advance Your Career
Surprising Facts About Body Language
- Gestures Boost Memory: Participants who watched speakers using gestures remembered twice as much compared to those who only heard the words.
- Your Hands Talk Too: Blind people gesture even when speaking to other blind individuals.
- We Use More Gestures When We Care: When passionate about a topic, we tend to use more hand movements, making our message more engaging.
- Cultural Differences Matter: Gesture meanings differ across cultures — always be mindful when speaking to a global audience.
Body language isn’t peripheral to speaking — it’s a crucial element that can make or break how your audience perceives you. Ready to refine your nonverbal communication? Explore our membership and events. For further reading, explore Amy Cuddy’s landmark TED Talk on body language.
“Swag” in speaking is more than just having a cool demeanor — it’s about projecting confidence, authenticity, and owning the stage with your unique style.
What is Speaker Swag?
Marc Williams explains that Speaker Swag isn’t just about “looking cool” — it’s about being comfortable and confident in your message. It’s the ability to take something ordinary and make it powerful simply through your delivery.
It’s about how you say things — delivering with a sense of purpose. If you believe it, the audience will feel it.
🔗 You might also like: From Fear to Fire: Transforming Stage Fright Into Stage Power and Magnetic Stage Presence: 5 Tips to Engage & Inspire
Say It With Swag: An Effective Public Speaking Drill
- Pick a Basic Statement: Start with a simple phrase, like “That’s a really good point.”
- Infuse it with Swag: Stand tall, speak with authority, and let your body language do the work.
- Feedback and Refine: Partners give feedback on how convincing the delivery was.
Mirror Your Speech: A Self-Reflection Drill
Partners mirror each other’s speaking styles — imitating not just words but tone, gestures, and body language. The original speaker watches and reflects on what unique aspects of their speaking style stand out.
Ready to develop your own Speaker Swag? Check out our upcoming events or explore membership options. For more on the science of confidence, see Amy Cuddy’s TED Talk on body language and confidence.
When we speak, we often rely solely on words. However, imagine the impact if we could engage our listeners on a deeper, more memorable level. A powerful method is speaking to the senses.
Why Senses Matter in Public Speaking
At Speaker Skills Academy, we go beyond the traditional five senses to explore at least 33 known human senses, including proprioception (body position), equilibrioception (balance), and interoception (internal bodily functions).
The Science Behind Sensory Language
Sensory details trigger the sensory cortex, enhancing comprehension and retention by up to 50%. Descriptions like “the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through the air” ignite brain regions far more vividly than neutral statements.
🔗 You might also like: The Abstract Edge: Impromptu Speech Exercises for Adults and Vocal Expression: Speaking Better by Fine-Tuning Your Voice
3 Fun Ways to Bring Senses Into Your Speaking
1. Sensory Snapshot Challenge
Take an ordinary object and describe it as the centerpiece of a vivid scene. How does the light play across its surface? What are its textures and temperatures?
2. Time Traveler Technique
Reflect on a vivid memory and immerse yourself back in that moment. What were the ambient sounds? The scents? The temperature?
3. Contrast Craze
Use sensory contrasts — the sharp chill of an ice cube against skin on a sweltering day, or the soft warmth of sunlight in a cool breeze.
Curious about making your words come alive? Explore our membership at Speaker Skills Academy, where speaking becomes a multisensory adventure.
Whether you’re stepping onto a stage in front of hundreds or presenting in a small boardroom, stage presence can make or break your delivery. But stage presence isn’t something you’re born with — it’s a skill that can be learned and honed.
1. Body Language: The Silent Communicator
Your stance, gestures, and movement can project confidence — or uncertainty. Use intentional gestures that align with your message. Avoid repetitive, nervous motions like pacing or fidgeting.
2. Eye Contact: The Gateway to Connection
Eye contact activates the same brain regions as rewards like food. Hold genuine eye contact with individuals for 3–5 seconds to form connection. If nervous, look at people’s foreheads — your audience won’t tell the difference!
🔗 You might also like: The Silent Power of Body Language in Speaking and Volume of Intention: Why How Loud You Speak Matters
3. Vocal Dynamics: The Music of Your Message
Monotone speaking loses audiences, but variation keeps them engaged. Whisper to draw people in or raise your voice to emphasize. Adjust speed to build excitement, and pause to let words land.
4. Pausing: Giving Your Audience Space to Breathe
We speak at ~150 words per minute, but the brain processes up to 600. Even though a pause feels long to you, it’s often just right for your audience. After something significant, stop and count to three in your head before continuing.
5. Purposeful Movement: Own the Space
Your movement should be intentional. Move toward the audience to show personal connection; step back to signal reflection. Think of the stage as your canvas.
Want a place to practice stage presence? Check out our upcoming events. For further reading, explore Harvard Business Review on overcoming speaking fear.
If you want to get better at anything — whether it’s playing an instrument, competing at a high level in a sport, or becoming great at communicating — the secret is practice. But not just any practice. We’re talking about focused, intentional drilling.
That’s the magic behind Skills Drills, an idea born at Speaker Skills Academy, created by Cathey Armillas and Marc Williams. Their mission? Create a space where people don’t just talk about becoming better speakers — they practice their way to greatness with hands-on, purpose-driven drills.
Why You Don’t Improve by Simply Doing
- Intentional Practice: Drills target specific parts of your speaking — eliminating filler words, honing your tone, or bettering your storytelling.
- Muscle Memory: Repetition builds habits. The more you practice, the more natural it becomes.
- Repetition with Focus: You’re repeating with laser focus on getting better every time.
🔗 You might also like: Pressure Makes the Skill: How Power Drills Sharpen Your Speaking and Why Practice Still Wins: The SSA Philosophy One Year Later
The Science Behind the Drills
- Neural Plasticity: Your brain adapts and strengthens with repetition. Learn more about neuroplasticity and skill acquisition from NIH research.
- Feedback Loops: Every drill provides instant feedback — constant small improvements that compound.
- Simulating Stress: Drills simulate high-pressure situations without real-world consequences.
When Speaker Skills Academy launched, people assumed it was only for speakers. But it was created from the belief that “Everyone can be great at speaking.” Our community includes professionals, parents, entrepreneurs, and creatives — everyone looking to improve how they communicate.
Curious to see how it works? Explore our membership and events.
One year ago, we published what became the founding article of The Word Up! Blog: The Power of Practice: Why Skills Drills Transform Your Speaking. In that piece, Marc Williams laid out the philosophy that has guided every single session at Speaker Skills Academy since: you don’t get better by simply doing — you get better by drilling.
Seventeen months and 35+ sessions later, that idea hasn’t just held up. It’s become the throughline in everything we do.
The Throughline: Deliberate Practice in Every Session
Look back across every article in this blog — from The Silent Power of Body Language in Speaking to The Power of Story Flips: Transforming Your Speaking Impact, from From Fear to Fire: Transforming Stage Fright Into Stage Power to Punchline Precision: Making Your Points Unforgettable — and you’ll find the same DNA: break the skill down, drill it in a supportive environment, get feedback, repeat.
Research on neural plasticity confirms that focused repetition literally rewires the brain, strengthening the pathways that control the skill being practiced.
🔗 You might also like: The Power of Practice: Why Skills Drills Transform Your Speaking and Pressure Makes the Skill: How Power Drills Sharpen Your Speaking
What We’ve Learned Along the Way
- Comfort kills growth. The sessions that pushed people furthest outside their comfort zone — like Guided Chaos: Navigating the Unexpected with Confidence and Character in Command: Practicing Prosody — produced the biggest breakthroughs.
- Questions beat answers. From Questions as Power Tools: How Smart Speakers Spark Connection to Asking The Right Questions: Connecting with Curiosity, curiosity is the secret weapon of great communicators.
- The body speaks first. Articles on Volume of Intention: Why How Loud You Speak Matters, Vocal Expression: Speaking Better by Fine-Tuning Your Voice, and Magnetic Stage Presence: 5 Tips to Engage & Inspire all point to the same truth: nonverbal communication is where trust begins.
- Play is productive. Permission to Play: Unlocking Creativity and Engagement in Speaking and Finding the Funny in the Ordinary: Speaking with Humor showed us that joy and learning aren’t opposites — they’re partners.
The Evidence: Members Speak
Our members have consistently told us the same thing: “I didn’t get better by reading about speaking. I got better by practicing it here.”
That’s the SSA difference. We don’t lecture. We drill. We don’t grade. We grow. And the results speak for themselves — literally.
What’s Next
As we move into our next chapter, the philosophy remains the same: everyone can be great at speaking, and practice is how you get there. See what Harvard Business Review says about overcoming the fear of public speaking — then come practice with us.
Because one year later, the truth hasn’t changed: practice still wins.