In this thoughtful and poetic article, professional speaker and storytelling coach Rikki Arundel explores the often-overlooked power of silence in public speaking — through the elegant lens of haiku poetry. Drawing from both live and virtual speaking experiences, Rikki weaves a series of original haiku that illuminate those quiet, pivotal moments speakers often fear: the pause before beginning, the silence after a powerful point, the awkward stillness when humour misses, or the quiet screen of a muted Zoom call. The article introduces readers to the traditional structure of haiku while offering deeply relatable insights into the speaker’s emotional landscape. Each poem is paired with a descriptive title that speaks directly to a shared speaker experience. A unique fusion of art and coaching, this piece offers both seasoned speakers and nervous first-timers a gentle reminder: silence isn’t something to fear — it’s a tool to be embraced.

In this thought-provoking piece, professional speaking coach Rikki Arundel shares a vital lesson for anyone speaking at trade shows: less is more. Drawing on decades of experience, Rikki explains why overloading audiences with information is the fastest way to lose them, especially in noisy, fast-paced trade show environments. Instead, they advocate for clear, outcome-driven talks focused on solving the one big problem your ideal client cares about. It’s a must-read for exhibitors, marketers, and anyone looking to maximise their impact on the trade show floor.Download Rikki's free Trade Show Speaker’s Survival Guide — packed with practical ideas to help you craft a compelling, high-impact talk that works with the trade show environment, not against it.

In this insightful and empowering blog post, Rikki Arundel shares their journey of mastering the art of public speaking and provides actionable advice to help others stand out. Drawing from decades of experience, Rikki emphasizes that becoming an outstanding speaker is not about competing with professional giants like Tony Robbins or Oprah Winfrey—it’s about crafting a clear, memorable message that inspires action. They outline three transformative rules: learning self-love to build confidence, avoiding the trap of relying on PowerPoint too early, and delivering a single, impactful message. Rikki delves into the common challenges, especially for women, of overcoming social conditioning and imposter syndrome to find their voice. With practical steps like creating a “Moments of Triumph” book, this post inspires readers to embrace their value, connect with audiences, and deliver speeches that truly make a difference.

50 years ago Rikki attended their first personal development course when they discovered the Social Styles concept. This categorises human behaviour into four personality styles, originally introduced by Hippocrates. Recently, they discussed these insights with Vicky O’Farrell on her "It Starts with You" podcast, delving into the nuances of personality profiling and behavioural perception.

Embarking on a journey through public speaking can be both exhilarating and daunting. From attending meticulously organized Toastmasters meetings to stepping onto the grand stages of professional speaking, one learns the importance of evaluating speeches. This practice is not just about improving one's speaking abilities but also about nurturing growth through a balanced approach of commendation and recommendation. By adopting this method, particularly with TED and TEDx talks, speakers can dissect the nuances of captivating presentations and identify both their strengths and areas for improvement.The post also highlights the significance of introspection in the process of becoming a more impactful speaker. By examining how certain habits or elements in a speech might reflect our own, we can uncover potent insights to refine our delivery. It suggests starting with resources like the TED Talks daily podcast or exploring the TED Digital Library by topic as initial steps towards this self-improvement journey, emphasizing the value of not just learning in isolation but joining a community of like-minded individuals.Finally, the author invites readers to subscribe to regular blog updates, promising to lead them through the art of crafting and delivering memorable speeches. This collective mission aims to not only discover and fine-tune our own voices but to make each speech a resonating symphony of ideas. Whether one is a seasoned orator or just beginning, there’s a continuous journey of exploration in the art of public speaking, with each post serving as a guide towards achieving mastery and inspiring others.