One of my managers just gave me a wonderful tip that I thought I would share here to help the community. What makes impromptu speaking difficult is the high expectations we attach to it. It gives us performance anxiety! We can lessen the stress by reminding ourselves that there is no "right" way to talk. Sometimes it helps to aim for just getting the job done. So don't focus on making an impression, focus on getting the job done! Hope this helps!

Hello community members, I'm Alek Sabrina an American young woman..... I feel privileged to be accepted on this community and I'm Looking forward to maximizing the full potentials this space has to offer, I promise to play by the rules 😌 Can I get a warm welcome?

Being a great communicator (verbal and written) will allow you to: 1. Express your ideas to many people 2. Market yourself and your business 3. Attract people to build an audience As I'm interviewing for new career opportunities, I'm realizing that having strong communication skills can determine your perceived seniority and value you can provide an employer based on how well you can articulate your unique and competitive advantages. What I'm doing to practice my communication skills are TWO weekly challenges: 1. Record and publish a mini-TED TALK to practice presenting speeches 2. Write and publish one blog post to share my POV and expertise on industry topics Why I believe this will help me improve my skills? Practicing hard will make it easy to perform on game day. Chop wood & carry water. When you fall in love with the process, your outcome is bound to happen. Don't chase it success. Enjoy the process and you'll become the person you want and need to be!

Let me tell you about a time several years ago when I interviewed a potential candidate for an open position on my team. He checked all of the boxes on paper. But he didn't pass "the vibe check." I didn't hit it off with him. I didn't come away thinking to myself, "Wow, I really liked him." But while some people can't pinpoint why they don't click with people, I've studied communication long enough to know what was missing. - He didn't smile.  - He didn't open up about himself. - He didn't ask open-ended questions.  And for a role that required someone to be personable with clients and partners, I knew this wouldn't work. The good thing is that this isn't something innate. Passing "the vibe check" with anyone you meet -- whether in an interview, networking event, or 1:1 with a colleague -- can easily be trained by following three simple practices. I broke it down in the video above and summarized it below. #1: Master the Duchenne Smile (0:00 - 1:46) The "Duchenne Smile" is a natural, enthusiastic facial expression that relies on engaging both the mouth and eye muscles. It's the difference between a half-hearted grin and a warm, inviting beam that instantly puts people at ease. To practice, place your index fingers at the corners of your closed lips and gently raise them into a smile, exposing your teeth slightly. You may feel goofy at first, but stick with it while speaking aloud. You're training the muscles to smile more naturally. When you smile authentically while conversing, your tone becomes more positive and engaging. It makes you instantly more likable and approachable. Why? Because your facial expressions are the remote control to the emotions behind your voice. #2: Ask Open-Ended Questions (1:47 - 3:19) Rather than keeping things surface level by discussing the weather or sharing basic facts, ask questions that allow the other person to open up about their true thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Use conversational prompts like: - "What brought you to Seattle?" - "What motivated you to join X company? - "How do you know X person?"

Can someone suggest a storybook for (15-17) age? I want to practice speaking and reading English. It could also help me with vocabulary. It would help me greatly if the book is available online.