How to speak so that people want to listen


Ditch the Deck!

8 Dynamic Alternatives For Your Next Presentation

A staggering 30 million PowerPoint presentations are created every day. Yet slides kill productivity, invite lazy thinking, and can lead to a disengaged workforce.

Here are 8 lively alternatives to “Death by PowerPoint” for your next meeting:

#1 Write a Memo

Have attendees read a short memo before a discussion. Jeff Bezos banned PowerPoint at Amazon meetings in favor of memos for clearer thinking.

#2 Show a Video

Videos creatively capture attention through visuals, motion and sound. They are easier than ever to produce with phones.

#3 Ignite Talks

Presenters get 5 minutes max with 20 auto-advancing slides that change every 15 seconds. This forces you to be more concise.

#4 Tell a Story

Structure your main points into an engaging story. People remember facts shared in stories up to 20X better than bullet points.

#5 Interactive Workshop

Get the audience involved to co-create solutions in breakout groups rather than sit passively.

#6 Live Demo

Showcase your product/service in action. Let attendees try it out. Multi-sensory experience drives understanding.

#7 Role Play

This is a fun way to test scenarios and ideas while also fostering empathy and new insights.

#8 TED-Style Talk

Focus on storytelling and inspiration rather than info overload. Make it a memorable way to motivate and engage.

Is PowerPoint always bad? Of course not, it is one useful tool among many. So why not try one of the above at your next meeting and make your message memorable?


Three Ways I Can Help You

Whenever you are ready, here are three things I can help you achieve so you can communicate like the world's top CEOs:

  1. Speak Like a CEO: Leadership communications with impact
  2. Become Unignorable: The proven way to becoming a thought leader
  3. Build a Message Machine: Turn your company into an agile communications machine

Book your free clarity call for 1:1 coaching with me here​.


Secrets of a Viral TED Speaker

Julian Treasure is a world-renowned expert on speaking and listening and a bestselling author. His 5 TED talks have amassed over 150 million views worldwide.

His talk "How to speak so that people want to listen" on powerful speaking is the 6th most popular TED talks of all time.

On this week’s episode of Speak Like a CEO, Julian shares the secrets of a viral TED Speaker, the four foundations of powerful speaking, and the Seven Deadly Sins of Speaking. On a more personal level, Julian shares how holding one of the most popular TED talks of all time has changed his life.

Listen on Spotify and Apple:


Laugh Your Way to Success

Want to get better results while also having more fun at work? Humor offers many benefits, but only when delivered skillfully.

In his excellent book, Andrew Tarvin breaks down the science of humor in workplaces. He offers strategies like:

  • Engineer surprise to grab attention
  • Lead with vulnerability and humanity
  • Use conversational humor, avoid sarcasm
  • Stay positive - no hurtful humor

Read it, check out this post about it, and bring more laughter and levity into your workplace!

Have an amazing weekend!

Best,

Oliver

Share this newsletter and receive a free book with your first referral!

Who do you know that would also enjoy this newsletter?

Simply copy and send them your unique referral link or use the email function and get free books on mastering communications when they sign up. Your first book unlocks with your very first referral.

Here's your referral link:

[RH_REFLINK GOES HERE]

Email

PS: You have referred [RH_TOTREF GOES HERE] people so far

See when you get your next book

Friedrichstraße 68, 10117 Berlin

Unsubscribe · Preferences

Speak Like a CEO by Oliver Aust: Become a Top 1% Communicator

Join 130,000+ leaders receiving weekly tips via email & social.

Read more from Speak Like a CEO by Oliver Aust: Become a Top 1% Communicator

This week in the world’s #1 newsletter on leadership communication: Save 100 Hours in 2026 With this 1 Simple Move On the Show: The New Rules of Women at Work Book Recommendation: Why the Best Leaders Are the Most Coachable *** The next Speak Like a CEO cohort begins January 21st. Nine weeks. Ten participants. The communication skills that distinguish top executives from everyone else. Details here. *** Are you wasting hours each week clarifying the same things to your team or colleagues?...

My Top 10 Books of 2025 *** Before we start, I want to share two free webinars I'm hosting in January to help you master communications as a leader in 2026: Presentation Secrets - January 7 at 18:00 CET Confidence on Command - January 14 at 18:00 CET *** If you want to master communications as a leader in 2026, books are a great place to start. And the holidays are the perfect time to kick back with a great book. Out of the 100+ books I read in 2025, here are my top ten picks for you: 1/ My...

This week in the world’s #1 newsletter on leadership communication: Start 2026 with a Stronger Leadership Presence YOUR Top 10 Speak Like a CEO Episodes of 2025 Start 2026 with a Stronger Leadership Presence Before we dive into 2025's top episodes, I want to share two free webinars I'm hosting in January: Presentation Secrets - January 7 at 18:00 CET - This one helps you become a much stronger presenter. I share the techniques I use with C-Levels to cut prep time in half while doubling...