Artificial Intelligence has been one of the hot topics amongst leaders in 2023. As the field makes big strides, some companies and leaders are adopting it, some are fascinated by it, others are rightfully asking hard questions on ethics and bias, and others are wondering if it will make us irrelevant in the future of work.
As someone who trains leaders and is passionate about communication and public speaking, I found Yoodli, an AI powered AI Communication Coach particularly fascinating. I have been using Yoodli and assessing how this AI Communication Coach will change what I do and most importantly, how it can help the leaders I train.
Will AI make humans irrelevant?
I believe AI will not make humans irrelevant, but in this age of augmented intelligence, we will change how we do things, and what we expect from humans. AI won’t replace human only traits, but it will do some of the work previously done by humans, so we can focus on the things ONLY we can do.
If you are a leader working on your communication skills, and wondering if you should use this AI communication Coach, here is how augmented intelligence, Yoodli and your coach, can help you become a better communicator and leader.
How Yoodli AI helps you become a better leader
Words Choice: Yoodli does an awesome job of letting you know if you have repetition words in your speech, how many crutch words such as Uhs, uhms you used, what your top keywords are and list of weak words you used.
Listening: This is another awesome feature in Yoodli, as you will get the percentage of talk time, so you will know if you dominated the conversation, if it was a monologue, and if you asked questions. This is awesome as it will gently remind you to give others a chance to speak 🙂
Delivery: Yoodli gives you information on your delivery such as how you looked on camera (your position on the screen and whether you were smiling or not), whether you made eye contact or not, and the pace of your speech.
If you are wondering, what else will my communication coach help me with then 🙂 Worry not.
There is a quote by Maya Angelo that says “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
While what and how we say something is important, communication especially for leaders, is all about how we influence and impact others.
Yoodli will tell you how great your speech is and that it has no flaws in it, and your coach will tell how it impacts the audience by giving you their reactions.
Yoodli will tell you that you had no filler words and no weak words, which is great. Your coach will inform you if the story you shared is moving, sad, uplifting, or powerful. The coach will be able to share his/her reaction and if it moved him/her, if it made him/her cry, laugh, emotional, and if it was powerful.
Yoodli will tell you how your pace was and if you smiled, and your coach will tell you whether that smile was distractive or amplified the point you were making.
Finally, you might give a perfect speech on your own, but how would you do it in front of someone or in front of a crowd? Afterall, the fear of public speaking is not only about how we communicate, but rather about how to communicate in front of others.
It truly is a time of augmented intelligence and I think as we figure out how this all will pan out, there is an opportunity for leaders to use this tool and their communication coaches, to improve their communication skills.
Nejat Abdurahmanis a Founder, Keynote Speaker, and Trainer who aspires to enable organizational growth and transformation through learning and leadership development. A continuous learner herself, Nejat loves to spark passion for learning and help people unlock their potential.
Nejat currently runs N-BAC and facilitates Leadership Development programs at N-BAC Academy to equip managers and leaders with the needed skills to transform the way they lead so as to transform their businesses and create a meaningful and sustainable impact.
Nejat is a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM). DTM is the highest award Toastmasters International bestows to recognize a superior level of achievement in both communication and leadership.
Considered one of the best Inauguration Addresses, JFK delighted audiences with a strong speech focused on the importance of foreign policy, ending with the iconic quote, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” The following is a speech summary, text, and analysis on the incredible speech.
“JFK Inauguration Address” Speech Summary
We ran JFK’s speech through Yoodli, the free AI powered speech coaching platform. You can get started at www.yoodli.ai and view results for JFK here.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy takes the presidential oath of office
He acknowledges the victory of freedom over tyranny and marks the beginning a new era.
JFK states that the rights of man come from God and that the same revolutionary beliefs for which were fought for centuries before are still at issue today.
He pledges to help those in poverty and oppression, regardless of political allegiance.
He calls for a new alliance for progress in the Americas and pledges support for the United Nations.
He requests that both sides of hostile powers start anew to find common ground for peace.
He encourages both sides to unite to explore science, conquer deserts, eradicate disease, and tap the ocean depths.
He states that it will take time and effort to achieve peace, and calls on all citizens to contribute to this goal.
“JFK Inauguration Address” Speech Text
The Yoodli AI-powered speech coach provides this “JFK Inauguration Address” speech text:
We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom–symbolizing an end as well as a beginning–signifying renewal as well as change. For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forbears prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago.
The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe–the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God.
We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans–born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage–and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.
This much we pledge–and more.
To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of faithful friends. United there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided there is little we can do–for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder.
To those new states whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny. We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom–and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.
To those people in the huts and villages of half the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required–not because the communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.
To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge–to convert our good words into good deeds–in a new alliance for progress–to assist free men and free governments in casting off the chains of poverty. But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey of hostile powers. Let all our neighbors know that we shall join with them to oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the Americas. And let every other power know that this Hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house.
To that world assembly of sovereign states, the United Nations, our last best hope in an age where the instruments of war have far outpaced the instruments of peace, we renew our pledge of support–to prevent it from becoming merely a forum for invective–to strengthen its shield of the new and the weak–and to enlarge the area in which its writ may run.
Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction.
We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.
But neither can two great and powerful groups of nations take comfort from our present course–both sides overburdened by the cost of modern weapons, both rightly alarmed by the steady spread of the deadly atom, yet both racing to alter that uncertain balance of terror that stays the hand of mankind’s final war.
So let us begin anew–remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.
Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.
Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms–and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.
Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths and encourage the arts and commerce.
Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah–to “undo the heavy burdens . . . (and) let the oppressed go free.”
And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavor, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved.
All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.
In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.
Now the trumpet summons us again–not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need–not as a call to battle, though embattled we are– but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation”–a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself.
Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?
In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility–I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it–and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you–ask what you can do for your country.
My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God’s work must truly be our own.
“JFK Inauguration Address” Speech Analysis
JFK’s Inauguration Address is an incredible study of effective speaking. We ran this address through Yoodli’s AI-powered speech coach, and got back an analysis on various aspects of word choice and delivery. You can view the full results here.
Word Choice
As per Yoodli’s analysis, JFK’s delivery was top notch. With a whopping 0 fillers words (wow!), he commonly used words such as “pledge”, “world”, and “new” to emphasize the promise he was making to the country on a new approach to American foreign policy.
He did have 2 instances of non-inclusive language, using the phrase “mankind.” Yoodli suggests that instead, he could have considered using “humankind” to be a bit more gender-inclusive.
Delivery
In the Delivery category, Yoodli provides scores on Centering, Pacing, Pauses, and Eye Contact. The most notable insight here was the incredibly relaxed nature of JFK’s speech — indicated by the pacing metric.
By keeping his pace as low as it was, we can feel comfortable and confident in that JFK’s is relaxed and prepared. This undoubtedly instilled confidence in the nation listening to their new president!
Wrapping Up
If you like this “JFK Inauguration Address” speech summary, text, and quick analysis, sign up to Yoodli for free and see how you can get the same kind of feedback on any speech you upload or record. It’s a great way to practice your own public speaking skills as you learn to inspire a country, just as JFK did!
Presentations are business communication scenarios where you have the most control and the most time to prepare. They also carry the most responsibility and the highest expectations. You not only have the responsibility of setting the tone for the presentation, but you are also the subject matter expert. In an attempt to cover it all, your presentation can become flat and lack engagement. Recognize the challenges built into every presentation opportunity and develop the presentation skills that lead to effective and powerful presentations.
Heavy Lifting
The urge to overstuff a presentation is strong. After all, you have to prove that you’re the expert with top presentation skills, right? It can feel like the only way to validate your point of view is to reveal each step and show all of your work. You know you have a lot of information to get through. You expect that you will lose your listeners’ attention if you speak too slowly. So, you hit the ground running and never pause to breathe and give everyone a chance to process what you’ve said. The truth is that they do want to hear your perspective; they want to hear your opinion. There is no need to prove anything, just the need to deliver with clarity.
Three Ideas Limit
Start by knowing your three ideas limit. Getting clarity requires that you sum up the reason for your presentation in one short sentence or phrase. My clients are familiar with my term for this phrase – a bumper sticker. It is a sentence or phrase short enough to fit on the back of a car bumper. It is the 40,000-foot view that sums up your overall message. You don’t figure out your bumper sticker as much as you discover it, because it is already there. You probably have lots of great ideas and information about your topic. They all inform your understanding of your bumper sticker. Check out this video about how to use the rule of threes and up your presentation skills when you speak!
However, one of the most important steps to good preparation is to trim down your presentation to the three most important ideas that brought you to your overall bumper sticker. Three ideas in any one sitting are pretty much everyone’s limit. Don’t get lost in the light show of additional information. Your presentation is first and foremost about the clarity of spoken ideas. A concise message will project a sense of forwarding momentum which will allow your listeners to recognize that you are in charge. You can always elaborate upon request. Connecting ideas that might be missing for some listeners will certainly come up during the Q & A. That is when you have the opportunity to address them in dialogue form.
Rule of threes for business presentations
Precise Preparation
There is a discipline of precise preparation. One of my favorite music teachers was fond of saying, “Practice doesn’t make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect.” As with most blanket statements, there is a need for some qualifiers here. Perfect practice means preparing the right way. It does not mean that you should expect your presentation to be so perfect that it lacks any sense of spontaneity. Additionally, the goal of preparing perfectly should not keep you from being inspired by new ideas. Here’s a great example from Harvard University about how to up your presentation skills and continue practicing!
Start your preparation by standing up and speaking out loud the reason why you are giving this presentation. The fact that the boss expects you to do it isn’t good enough. You need to dig a little deeper. Find the phrase that nails it for you. This phrase is your bumper sticker. Speaking these words out loud will help to connect you to your true perspective on the topic. This is the elusive “being right” part that many people miss. Your point of view is undeniable. Own it.
The next step is to determine the three ideas that best support your perspective. Allow yourself one sentence to describe each idea. Speak each sentence, one at a time, followed by your bumper sticker each time. You need to repeat this process a minimum of ten times until the memory of the connection between the ideas is no longer just in your head but in your body too. Don’t make the mistake of spending all of your time just thinking about what you are going to say; really say it! You will be giving yourself fundamental speaking training on how to prepare and deliver when the stakes are high and it matters the most.
Losing Your Train of Thought
Whether you’re giving a sales presentation, going live online, or updating employees with human resources or corporate training, the momentum of your presentation can stall when you lose your train of thought. Several factors can contribute to losing your way during your presentation.
One is suddenly becoming aware that everyone is staring at you and feeling judged. The second can be the belief that by speaking quicker, you will have a better chance of keeping your listeners’ attention. Another might be the feeling that you have to fill up all of the “dead air” with non-stop speaking. This rapid, repetitive rhythm is very difficult to maintain.
Any break in your pace can send you into recovery mode which puts you in a state of self-awareness. Another factor can be trying to act in a way that isn’t authentic; in other words, acting overly excited or friendly, or trying too hard to be funny. Any of these behaviors can draw your focus away from the primary intention of your presentation and cause you to fall off track.
Speaking Too Fast
All business communication is a form of public speaking and presentations are no exception. Many presenters find themselves in a situation where they’re speaking too quickly. They often mistakenly feel as if their minds can’t keep up with their mouths. Actually, the opposite is true.
In the time it takes you to speak one simple thought, your mind is probably thinking about six or seven other thoughts. So, how do you sync these two things up? Let’s use the imagery of two conveyor belts: one smaller, slower conveyor belt representing your speech – your articulation and one larger, faster-moving conveyor belt that presents your thoughts – your mind.
Although these two conveyor belts move at different speeds, they intersect each other often. Of course, trusting that they will intersect consistently and effectively requires allowing your mind to think freely while at the same time trusting your speech technique to move at a measured, predictable pace. Ideally, we are talking about having balance and trust. If you focus only on speech techniques, your ideas will come across as practiced, recited and “canned.” Focusing simply on the ideas that flow through your mind will cause you to overstuff your presentation, speak too quickly and often lose your train of thought.
Step one is becoming aware that this is the way your thinking and your speaking work together. Step two is to practice this technique by actually speaking the words when you prepare. You don’t want to be surprised by the sound of your voice when it comes time to present. Adopt a measured presentational pace. Take the time to notice and explore how much you really can think of separate thoughts while you are speaking. You will find that you have more time than you might expect to get yourself back on track.
Power of the Pause
Everyone occasionally needs a moment to regroup and even possibly retrace and revisit their ideas while presenting. Pausing is an extremely effective tool to utilize for many reasons. When executed in a deliberate and controlled manner, the break-in sound can have the effect of grabbing people’s attention as they anticipate what will come next. Whether they realize it or not, pausing allows your listeners to process what you have just said. Pausing gives you the room to integrate a new thought as it occurs to you. This practice seems to fly in the face of the common misconception that you should never stop or even slow down your pace for fear of losing your audience.
There are several things you can do to make pausing while you speak, look, and feel more natural. The first thing is to give your self permission to do it. Trust me when I tell you that it looks a lot better than it feels. Making it feel better requires that you accompany the pause with a deliberate breath or a sustained gesture. Either of these actions will give you the time you need to collect your thoughts. They also signal to your listeners that you are truly thinking about what you’re about to say or that they should pay attention to what you have just said.
Your Slides Listen to You!
How you handle your deck of slides is crucial to the success of your presentation and a critical presentation skill. Problems occur when you rely too heavily on the slides themselves to get your point across. Slides consistently steal focus from you. So, you will find yourself constantly having to reengage with your audience. In truth, visual aids like your slides and the rear projection are never as interesting as you are. They are simply the information that reinforces your perspective.
When you have decided that slides will be a part of your presentation, use them to the fullest. Create anticipation by speaking about either the challenge that the information on the next slide will magically solve or state a rhetorical question that your next slide will answer. Try to avoid overusing the phrase, “what we have on our next slide…”. This phrase sends the message that your presentation will be an exercise in looking at projected slides.
By building the anticipation, you are instructing your audience when to take a quick look at the slides as an overview. Now they are compelled to look back at you for the explanation or clarification of what they’re looking at and why it is important. You need to do this to allow your presentation to develop as a narrative. You are the storyteller; you lend the necessary perspective. The slides are just the facts of the story.
Control Focus
The first thing you need to consider regarding focusing your listeners’ attention is scale. I don’t simply mean the size of the projection screen but also the size of your audience and the space you are presenting in. Make sure your initial gesturing is appropriate for the amount of attention that is being focused on you. Don’t shrink away from it. Accept the responsibility of being more important to the presentation than your slides.
Never read the information on the slide word for word. This could be perceived as being disrespectful. We can all read! It defeats the purpose of sharing your personal perspective. Even though you may have put all of the slides together, and they reflect your work and perspective, your listeners need to hear the concepts directly from you to allow for the best comprehension. Feel free to step in front of the screen at times as a means of regaining focus and making your delivery more personal. When working with a team of presenters, make sure your roles are clearly defined. Audiences don’t mind changing their focus from one presenter to another but they need to know why they are being asked to do it.
Train for Success
If you truly want to become a master presenter, attend a presentation skills training seminar, a communication skills training program, or work one-on-one with an experienced presentation skills coach. A great coach, program, or seminar will use proven methodology, qualified feedback, and consistent, supportive repetition to help you achieve your presentation goals.
Public speaking is an important skill to have in the modern world. Whether you’re giving a presentation at work or delivering a speech for your college commencement, having strong public speaking skills can make all the difference. To help you hone your public speaking abilities, here are 18 common terms related to public speaking that you should know. From active listening to vocal variety and more, these terms will equip you with the knowledge needed to become an effective speaker!
How you can practice all 18 public speaking terms
Consider signing up for Yoodli, an AI powered speech coach where you can practice each of these terms without the pressure of an audience. Yoodli is free of cost and being rolled out to 300k+ Toastmasters members globally.
Active Listening
This refers to the practice of listening carefully and deliberately to the speaker without interruption or judgment. It’s an important skill to have in any public speaking setting as it allows you to better understand the message being communicated.
Audience Analysis (the most important public speaking term)
Before crafting a speech, it’s essential to understand the audience. Audience analysis helps identify factors such as age, gender, beliefs and interests that can inform your message.
Nonverbals
Nonverbal cues such as gestures, posture and facial expressions are important in public speaking as they can help convey your message more effectively than words alone.
Chunking
This refers to the practice of breaking down a speech into small, manageable segments (it’s a public speaking term used with debate students as well). Doing this helps reduce the cognitive load and make it easier for your audience to comprehend and remember your message.
Enthusiasm (our favorite public speaking term!)
Enthusiasm is key in public speaking as it allows you to engage with your audience more effectively. When presenting, try to be passionate and energetic about your topic.
Eye Contact
Establishing eye contact is a key aspect of public speaking as it helps build a connection with the audience and shows that you are confident in your message.
Filler Words
Filler words such as “uh”, “um” and “like” are common in public speaking but should be avoided as they can make it difficult to understand your message.
Filler words explainer video
Humor
Incorporating humor into a speech can help break the ice and make your topic more relatable and memorable to the audience. Just make sure that it’s appropriate for the context.
Impromptu Speech
Speech that has been prepared in advance but does not have to follow a specific structure or outline. It can be used for practice and improvisation for future public speaking engagements.
Inflection
Using vocal inflections like rising and falling tones can help emphasize certain points in your speech, making it easier for your audience to follow what you’re saying.
Nonverbal Cues
These are gestures and facial expressions used to communicate with your audience. Examples include smiling, nodding, leaning forward and more.
Pauses
Pausing briefly throughout a speech allows the audience time to process what you’ve said and emphasizes important points. Just don’t pause for too long as it can be distracting to the audience.
Q&A
In addition, questions and answers (Q&A) is a common feature of public speaking events in which the audience can ask questions about the speech or topic being presented.
Rhetorical Questions
Asking the audience questions can help engage them in your presentation and make it more interesting. However, only use rhetorical questions to keep your speech flowing.
Signposting
This is a technique used to emphasize key points throughout a speech by using words or phrases that “signal” to the audience that an important point is coming up.
Storytelling
Next, telling stories can be a powerful way to connect with your audience and make your message more memorable. Ensure they’re short, relevant and appropriate for the context.
Vocal Variety
Varying your pitch, volume, speed and intonation. This help keep your audience engaged and make it easier for them to follow your message.
Visual Aids
Using visual aids such as slides, videos or props can help reinforce your points and make them more memorable for the audience – public speaking term here is to use them strategically. Just don’t overuse them as they can be distracting.
Public speaking terms – how to improve
In addition, Practice, practice, practice. Either record yourself on camera or try in front of a mirror. If you’d like, consider practicing on Yoodli’s judgement free AI speech coach. By following these public speaking terms and tips, you can ensure that your next public speaking engagement will be a success! Good luck and happy presenting!
Introducing a speaker is an important responsibility that can be nerve-wracking for many people. It is often the first impression your audience will have of the speaker and sets the tone for their presentation, so it’s essential to do it right.
Fortunately, there are some simple tips you can follow to ensure that your introduction goes off without a hitch. Here are five tips on how to introduce a speaker in order to make sure they get off on the right foot with your audience.
1. Get the Basics Right:
Introducing someone should start with their name and a brief explanation of who they are and why they’re speaking. Make sure to include any relevant credentials or accomplishments so that the audience can have an idea of what to expect. Remember that the focus should be on the speaker and what they can deliver to the audience (as opposed to focusing on you)
2. Be Concise when you introduce the speaker:
Keep your introduction short and sweet. Avoid rambling on about the speaker’s background for too long, as it can come off as condescending. Let their speech do the talking
3. Know When to Give Away the Punchline:
If the speaker is going to be making a joke or revealing something important during their presentation, don’t give away the punchline in your introduction. This can ruin the surprise and lessen the impact of their words. It also sets them up for failure.
4. Use Positive Language:
It’s important to frame your introduction in a positive light. Avoid using any negative language such as “this speaker will try to convince you…” or “the speaker might not have much experience…”
5. Don’t Go Overboard with Praise for the speaker:
While it’s important to highlight the speaker’s accomplishments and qualifications, be careful not to go overboard with praise. Your introduction should set realistic expectations for the audience, so don’t make promises that can’t be kept.
Lastly, practice, practice, practice. Practicing your introduction in front of a mirror or a friend will help. You can also use Yoodli, an AI powered speech coach to practice your introduction and get AI powered analytics on your filler words, eye contact, content, structure, and more. If you’re in Toastmasters, you likely need to do this to introduce other club members – it’s a great way of getting exposure.
Following these simple tips will help ensure that your introduction is professional, engaging, and sets the speaker up for success. With a bit of practice, you can become an expert at introducing speakers! Good luck!
Kim Petras made LGBTQ history on Feb. 5, 2023, at the 2023 Grammy Awards as the first openly transgender woman to win a Grammy award. She was also the first trans woman to win the Best Pop Duo/Group Collaboration award.
Who Is Kim Petras?
Petras is a German singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles who began recording songs as a teenager. She creates 90s- and 2000s-inspired music across a few various genres, such as bubblegum pop, electronic dance music (EDM), and electropop. Some of her musical inspirations include:
Madonna
Boy George
Cher
Lady Gaga
Britney Spears
Christina Aguilera
Beyoncé
And Ke$ha, among others
Her 2017 hit, “I Don’t Want It All,” was her international debut single, and it topped a few of Spotify’s viral music charts. Billboard, ABC News, and Nasty Galaxy have all dubbed Petras the “new princess of pop.”
At the 2023 Grammy Awards, Petras accepted the award, along with artist Sam Smith, for their iconic hit, “Unholy.”
Kim Petras and Sam Smith won the Best Pop Duo/Group Collaboration award at the 2023 Grammy Awards for their hit “Unholy.”
“Unholy” was initially released on Sept. 22, 2022. It quickly went viral on platforms like TikTok and even hit No. 1 on charts across different countries, such as Australia and New Zealand.
When “Unholy” topped the U.S. Billboard Top 100 in October 2022, Petras became the first openly trans woman to have a No. 1 song on the chart. Smith also made LGBTQ history, as they were the first openly non-binary person to do so.
In light of this historic win for Petras and Smith, we used Yoodli — a free platform that analyzes speech using AI technology — to analyze Petras’ acceptance speech. We’ll walk you through the key takeaways from the analysis, but you can check out the entire speech and detailed overview via the Yoodli platform.
Yoodli can help you analyze not only your speech and speaking patterns, but others’ as well.
Kim Petras’ 2023 Grammy Acceptance Speech AI Analysis
Yoodli provided us with instant analytics for Petras’ acceptance speech, as well as a time-stamped, complete transcript of the speech. From the word choice to her delivery of the speech and even speech coaching comments, this AI communication coach provided us with some valuable insights.
Here’s what we found about Petras’ 2023 Grammy Acceptance speech based on Yoodli’s AI communication coach analysis.
Summary of Key Points
Yoodli summarizes the key points and takeaways from speeches you record and upload. Here’s the summary of the key takeaways from Petras’ speech provided by Yoodli:
Kim Petras and Sam Smith won an award for Best Pop Duo/Group Collaboration for their hit song, “Unholy”
Petras is the first transgender woman to win this award
Petras thanked those who helped her along the way, including her mother, (her late friend) Sophie, Madonna, and transgender legends who opened doors for her
Kim Petras’ Word Choice
Filler words: 4%
Non-inclusive language: 0%
Top keywords: award, believed, transgender, hit, go, home
Weak words: 1% (so, just)
The speech analysis of Petras’ Grammy acceptance speech provided many insights into her speaking patterns. She didn’t use any non-inclusive language and only used a few weak words (“so” and “just”), which made up 1% of her speech. This is great since it’s only natural to have fewer than 4% weak words.
Yoodli provides many word choice insights, such as filler word usage, weak words, and even non-inclusive language.
However, Petras did use 4% of filler words, which — for her award acceptance speech length — was about eight filler words. Although most everyone uses filler words, the goal when public speaking is to get to 3% or lower, so she was close. Her most frequently used fillers were “um,” “uh,” and “OK,” which are very common across the board.
It’s important to keep in mind that Petras was speaking on the fly; in other words, she didn’t have time to prepare a full Grammy acceptance speech ahead of time. To mitigate this, Yoodli recommends aiming for 3% and using pauses to help decrease filler word usage.
Yoodli also includes personalized speech coach’s comments that are based on the speech itself.
Yoodli also provides speech coach comments and actionable tips, such as areas where you could elaborate.
For example, the AI communication coach had one suggested rephrasing based on its analysis of Petras’ acceptance speech.
Here’s what Petras said:
“I just want to thank, um, all the incredible transgender legends before me who kicked these doors open for me so I could be here tonight.”
Here’s the suggested rephrasing from Yoodli:
“I am deeply grateful to all the brave transgender pioneers who have gone before me, making it possible for me to be here tonight.”
Yoodli had another actionable suggestion. The AI speech coach commented on Petras’ speech wondering if she could elaborate by answering the following question: “What inspired you to collaborate with Sam Smith on the song, ‘Unholy’?”
The speech coach targets areas like these and prompts users for elaboration, to make their speech the best it can be, and this is a prime example of that.
Of course, the Yoodli AI speech coach comments will vary from speech to speech. So, for example, you’ll receive different analytics and coach comments depending on the quality of the speech.
Kim Petras’ Delivery
Pacing: 145 words per minute (relaxed and conversational)
Pauses: 5 times
Smiles: 4 times
Eye contact: 30%
Centering: Off-center
The delivery of Petras’ acceptance speech was strong overall. Her pacing was about 145 words per minute, which is considered a relaxed and conversational pace. She also paused about five times, which let the audience take a second to digest what she’d said. If Petras were to include a few more pauses, she could probably decrease the number of fillers she uses.
In terms of body language, her facial expressions were largely positive and Yoodli highlighted four distinct times during the speech in which she was beaming. However, her eye contact could’ve been better. She made eye contact with the camera about 30% of the time, which came out to 51 seconds. Still, Petras’ speech was recorded and she was focused on maintaining eye contact with the Grammy Awards’ audience, so this percentage could vary slightly depending on the camera angles. She was also a bit off-centered, but again, this could be more of an issue with the camera angles.
Yoodli provides delivery analytics, such as pacing, body language, and pausing.
Can I Use Yoodli to Analyze My Speech?
Yes! It’s easy to analyze your speech or speaking patterns on Yoodli.
Here’s how to do it.
Upload a video of yourself speaking or having a conversation with someone (like during a Zoom call), or record it directly on Yoodli in real time. You can also learn how to record Google Meet to analyze a conversation between a friend to see all the usual insights, plus analytics related to talk time (AKA, did you talk the entire time, or were they able to get a word in?).
Next, enjoy the instant analytics with regard to your word choice, delivery, and listening skills (if you’re uploading a conversation or interview). You can use these insights to improve your speech and speaking patterns. This will also help build up your confidence when public speaking, impromptu speaking, giving presentations at work or at school, or in everyday conversation.
Yoodli’s free services are beneficial, no matter who you are. Even if you feel like the best, most comfortable speaker on the block, there are still areas to improve, whether that’s your pacing, your word choice, or your body language.
If you have a speech coming up or you’re just looking for some inspiration, check out the best public speaking books to motivate you.
Can I Use Yoodli to Analyze Someone Else’s Speech?
Absolutely! Just like we analyzed Petras’ 2023 Grammy acceptance speech, anyone can use Yoodli for free to analyze someone else’s speech.
You can get insights on your most recent job interview, your high school valedictorian’s speech, your CEO’s company-wide address, or any other recording of a speech you have. There are only a few qualifications to remember.
There are two important things to remember:
Yoodli accepts uploads of MP4 or WebM videos, or any type of audio file.
There is a time limit for video uploads, which means the file you upload has to have a duration of no more than 1 hour.
Key Takeaways
Based on Yoodli’s AI analysis and individualized insights, Petras’ Grammy acceptance speech was strong overall. Her excitement over being the first trans woman to win that award was elucidated through her positive body language.
Although there are aspects of her speech that she could work on — namely filler word usage and eye contact — Petras did a phenomenal job for someone who was not only public speaking, but giving an impromptu speech in front of such a huge crowd, during such a thrilling time.
Petras’ 2023 Grammy acceptance speech isn’t the only speech available on Yoodli. Visit Yoodli’s platform to check out even more famous speeches and addresses, including:
Elon Musk’s 2014 University of Southern California undergraduate commencement speech at the Marshall School of Business
Oprah Winfrey’s 2018 Cecil B. DeMille Award Acceptance Speech at the Golden Globe Awards
King Charles III’s 2022 speech addressing the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II
Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford University commencement speech
I’m Fred Vornbrock, a long-time member of Toastmasters and the 2023 (District 13). I’ve seen hundreds of Toastmasters speech contests over the years – however, the landscape of public speaking coaching is changing before our eyes.
One of the most exciting recent developments in the public speaking arena is the introduction of the Yoodli speech app. Toastmasters International recently announced a partnership to rollout Yoodli to all ~300k+ members globally.
How? By providing immediate feedback on our speeches, presentations, and Table Topics (impromptu speaking). By providing coaching/feedback on our word choice and delivery and by providing high-quality tutorials on speaking.
I currently mentor 20 Toastmasters members from countries across the globe and have challenged them with the “5 in 6” challenge. That is, they are to use Yoodli.ai five minutes a day, every day, for six weeks, and watch the results. Some use Yoodli’s Table Topics while others use the games: the “No Filler” game is especially popular! Several of them are now in Week 4 of this challenge.
Results? Some who used too many filler words (“um, so, like,” etc.) have cut their usage by half. Others who were stumped on what to say when asked an impromptu question now say they feel less stressed and more at ease when called on. One of the biggest “aha” moments is when a Toastmaster discovered that her tone of voice was not as warm and pleasant as she had thought. It was a wake-up call for her.
Now that we are in the thick of Toastmasters speech contests, more and more of our contestants are discovering they have a competitive edge with Yoodli. They are creating their own “5 in 6” schedule. They realize that Yoodli gives them the tools they can use daily in their contest preparations. They also recognize that their competition may also be using Yoodli.
Speechcrafters (those taking the Toastmasters crash course on Public Speaking) give their speech a second time after our sessions to see and hear how they come across when speaking. Yoodli flags their filler words, tells them how fast or slow they are going, and offers suggestions for improvement. They absolutely love this feedback! They can work at their own pace on the areas they want to improve. They also see how using Yoodli will make them better speakers. As one Speechcrafter said, “Through Yoodli, I can see my future.”
As for me, one of my Yoodli discoveries is that I sometimes mumble: my “going to” comes across as “gonna,” and my “want to” sounds like “wanna.” Even seasoned speakers are benefitting from the unvarnished feedback we receive from Yoodli.
Create your own “5 in 6” challenge and witness for yourself how your public speaking landscape smooths out….
I’m Ryan Dickerson, an Executive Career Coach. I work with Directors, VPs, and C-level professionals preparing to make their next career move.
Over the last few months, well over 200k people have been laid off at companies including Google, Amazon, Twitter, and Microsoft. For many, the news came as a terrible surprise.
Most of the folks I work with have not had to interview with a new company in years. They have decades of fascinating and relevant stories to tell, but limited recent practice telling those stories in a competitive interview setting.
Practicing your response to a simple prompt like, “tell me about yourself” in front of a mirror can be demoralizing and unnerving, especially during a difficult economic time.
However, I’m thrilled to see how advances in generative AI are helping people improve their communication skills, specifically their interview skills. With platforms like Yoodli, candidates can practice mock interviews and receive private, personalized, and actionable feedback on the content and delivery of their answers. Yoodli’s free platform is a powerful resource for people who might be rusty at interviewing and want to get back into interview shape quickly.
What is generative AI and how can it enable job interview practice?
Generative AI is a relatively new field of artificial intelligence that’s capable of creating human-like free form output based on specific inputs. In the past, candidates could practice speeches or interviews on platforms such as Yoodli, and access metrics on their filler words, eye contact, pacing, etc. If you want to learn more, check out my previous post about how generative AI is transforming my coaching business.
Using generative AI, Yoodli is able to generate contextual recommendations on how candidates can stop rambling, be more concise, or even use proven interview training frameworks such as the STAR method (for instance, if you’re asked about a time you led a team or a project, consider using STAR: Situation, Task at hand, the Action you took, and the Results you achieved). This is an efficient and effective way for candidates to get private feedback without the pressure of feeling judged. What’s more, Yoodli provides you with follow up questions, based on your answer, for you to finetune your response so you can simulate the impromptu back and forth with your interviewer.
How Yoodli’s Generative AI can help you ace your next job interview
But I’m an expert! Why should I practice for job interviews?
For better or worse, how you communicate your ideas is often a primary determinant of whether you earn a job offer. Let’s say that you’ve updated your resume, applied to a few jobs, and you’ve landed your first interview. What happens when you join the Zoom meeting and the interviewer asks, “tell me about yourself?
Perhaps you think that you can just wing it. You know your story like the back of your hand, right?
An introductory interview or a screening call usually lasts under 25 minutes. In that brief period, the recruiter will evaluate your fit for the role and the company, check a few must-have boxes, and make sure that your compensation expectations line up with their budget. A 7-minute rambling introduction not only demonstrates that you’re unprepared, it also burns through more than 25% of the time allotted for the entire interview. Unprepared candidates don’t tend to advance through the interview process and land job offers.
How you can make the most of Yoodli for job interview practice:
Go to Yoodli, select the interview practice module and choose the kind of job you’re applying for (product management, marketing, consulting etc.). You can choose questions from a pre-generated question bank or add your own! I’ve listed 5 frequently asked questions for you to try:
Tell me about yourself
What do you want next in your career?
Tell me about your favorite project from the last 6 months?
Why are you looking for a new role?
What are your compensation expectations?
At the end of your recording, Yoodli will provide you a report summarizing analytics across your word choice (filler words, non inclusive language), delivery (pacing, centering, gesturing) generative AI comments that include rephrasing suggestions and follow up questions!
While AI has come a long way, it cannot give you feedback on human connection – your empathy, passion, authenticity (not yet!). I highly recommend sharing your Yoodli interview with a colleague or interview coach – they can leave you feedback synced with specific parts of the video to help you improve – all asynchronously!
If you’re an experienced professional and want a complementary consultation or want to understand how to make the most of AI speech coaching, drop me a line at hello@goodfitcareers.com!
I’m Ryan Dickerson, an executive career coach. I work with Directors, Vice Presidents, and C-level professionals preparing to make their next career move.
Generative AI has enabled a transformation of my executive coaching business in ways that I didn’t think I would see in my career.
Many of us are aware that artificial intelligence (AI) is getting more sophisticated and is in a phase of rapid evolution. Perhaps you’ve heard about OpenAI’s GPT3 or ChatGPT. However, most of us have not yet experienced the magic of AI in ways that are immediately useful and beneficial to our work.
At first, I was worried that an advanced AI could replace me, or make me less relevant. On the other hand I was concerned that AI tools would be clumsy and generic, lacking the nuanced human touch that makes the difference with clients. Now I see that Generative AI tools like Yoodli are what I had hoped AI could become, and are essential to my executive coaching practice today.
So, how am I using AI to 10X my executive coaching business?
Today I use Yoodli to extend my reach, improve client experiences, and drive better coaching outcomes. Yoodli is an AI powered speech coaching platform that provides my clients with personalized feedback on their communication styles. You can see a quick explainer here.
What that means in simple English is that Yoodli can understand the context of what my clients are saying and provide qualitative and quantitative insights on their communication skills. With the “generative” part of the platform, Yoodli’s AI is able to automatically create human-like suggestions to help people improve their speaking through constructive feedback.
I started using Yoodli with my clients at the beginning of 2022. Shortly thereafter the team asked for my feedback, input, and what I dreamed the product could become. I have since joined Yoodli’s Coach Advisory Board in an effort to help the product grow and improve for coaches and for our clients.
My personal AI assistant for executive coaching
A large part of my business is focused on Interview Coaching. In the past, I would be solely responsible for leading the interview and taking notes, all while synthesizing my insights and recommendations to help my clients improve.
One of the biggest challenges I have faced as a sole practitioner is that there is only one of me.
Now I have an assistant, Yoodli, that transcribes and time stamps my sessions with clients, counts the number of ‘ums’, and measures the pace of speech. Yoodli keeps track of the questions asked in the interview, measures eye contact, smiles, pauses, and even gives me insights into filler words and non-inclusive language. Yoodli makes it possible for me to focus my attention on providing useful, actionable, human centered coaching for each of my clients.
Yoodli also makes it easier for me to drive my coaching points home by providing quantitative data and qualitative insights from which my clients can draw their own conclusions. The AI even helps my clients rephrase their sentences, consolidate key points, and eliminate unnecessary language.
Yoodli is my personal AI speech coaching assistant: Learn more here.
Putting the AI to work – How my clients improve their communication skills with Yoodli
I work with my clients to establish what good looks and sounds like for them, then I teach those executives how to adjust their approach to meet their goals.
Yoodli gives my clients the opportunity to practice what I preach and apply those lessons at their convenience, without my supervision.
After our interview coaching sessions, my clients use Yoodli to practice different aspects of their interview skills. The beauty of this AI is that it can stand in for me (albeit imperfectly, Generative AI has a long way to grow) during these practice sessions. Yoodli provides guidance on how to reshape my client’s statements while proactively providing suggestions on how to tell their stories more effectively.
Recently I was working with Brian, an avid sports fan and a Vice President level Project Management Executive. We worked through building his professional positioning, we established his go to market strategy, and together we prepared for his screening calls and executive interviews. Brian was prepared, well informed, and he knew where he wanted to go.
Brian immediately saw the value of Yoodli, saying that it was like, “watching the tape” after a big game. And not only was it like watching a replay, but Yoodli included the stats and provided suggestions on better plays to use in those situations in the future.
In one of our regular sessions, Brian shared that he had been using Yoodli to prepare for all of his interviews, and to practice his major stories. He would log into Yoodli a little while before his interviews were scheduled to start to get in a few reps to make sure he was prepared to perform his best. Brian starts in his new role with a new company next week.
How AI tools like Yoodli help me win more business
The results are stunning.
In my initial conversations with prospective interview coaching clients, I’ll ask them a common but challenging open ended question, “Tell me about yourself.”
After they’ve finished their statement, I’ll share my screen to walk them through their Yoodli speech analytics as well as the suggestions created by the Generative AI.
At this point, they get it. They see the value, and they begin to think about the possibilities of having access to such a powerful, on-demand platform, that enables them to see the evidence and draw their own conclusions.
What’s more, Yoodli’s generative AI capabilities will summarize the key takeaways from each segment of the session, and will even redline and rewrite your statements to be more clear and concise. This is usually the magical moment where they see that this AI does more than just measure your cadence and count your ‘ums’, it proactively suggests revisions to your statements and encourages you to refine, clarify, and improve your communication style.
Who could benefit from this magical AI?
My clients are experienced and capable executives, who have interviewed others and have been interviewed themselves dozens of times. Arming them with Yoodli and working together to establish what ‘good’ looks like, creates a symbiotic coaching relationship. Today, I get to spend most of my coaching time and energy focused on the person I am working with, not counting ‘ums’. I get to focus on helping my clients build their professional stories, understand the patterns of their experiences, and help them deliver their most authentic, clear, and compelling versions of their story.
Technology alone is not going to make people better communicators. And we human coaches alone can’t help everyone looking to improve their communication skills. However, I believe that technology and human coaches together can be an incredible force for good.
College interviews are an extremely stressful part of the college application process. Many high-schoolers, including me, lost sleep cramming for these interviews. However, these interviews aren’t nearly as scary as they appear to be at first.
Let’s delve right into tips that will help you leave an impression on your college admissions committee!
5 Tips to Succeed in Your College Interview
Give mock interviews.
One of the best ways to prepare for these college interviews is by practicing sample questions. According to Forbes, mock interviews are very helpful in preparation for these interviews. Try getting friends or family to ask you a few questions before the interview like:
What attracts you to this college?
What do you want to major in? Why?
How would your friends describe you?
Answering these questions will get your thoughts rolling and get feedback from your peers. This will give you a good base to work on and engage in meaningful conversation with your college interviewer.
Practice common college interview questions.
Your interviewer will likely ask you a few obvious questions. Practicing responses to these will help you make your answer precise and interesting. Here is a more exhaustive list of common college interview questions for you to practice with links that have tips on how to answer them!
Record yourself and listen to your answer on Yoodli! Yoodli’s AI-backed speech coach can help you identify areas of your speech that need improving and also help you reduce filler words. You can also assess your body language, the amount of eye contact you’re making, and self-evaluate your performance.
Research campus life at the college.
Colleges want to believe they’re your top choice, and that you’re genuinely interested in them and will enroll if offered admission. Many colleges use demonstrated interest as a factor in the admissions process. Therefore, it is vital that you research these universities before your interview. They must get the sense that they are perfect for you in addition to you being perfect for them. Here is a list of things you can research about the college before your interview to show genuine interest:
Mission of the college and how it resonates with you.
Campus size, both in size and student population, and how it fits with your personality.
Faculty research projects that interest you.
Clubs and Organisations at the college that interest you.
Think about things like racial diversity, weather, location, etc. that might attract you to the college.
Courses offered at the college that you want to take.
Pay the college a visit if you can, and talk about your experience visiting the campus.
According to US News, 13.7% out of the surveyed colleges in a report rated demonstrated interest as considerably important while 25.5% said that it was moderately important. This is testament to the fact that researching these universities thoroughly is essential and a well-informed interviewee will definitely stand out.
Be authentic in your college interview.
It’s cliche (we know!), but it cannot be stressed enough. It is common for high school students to get lost in the process of projecting themselves to be perfect. “What is your favorite book?” is a common question. Remember to stay concise while demonstrating your curiosity.
Here’s what you should NOT pick:
Works that you were obviously assigned in class: Part of this question is to see what you read outside of class. If you name To Kill a Mockingbird or Hamlet, you’ll sound as if you’ve never read anything but assigned books.
Juvenile fiction: You don’t need to hide your love of Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Redwall books, but these works are also loved by kids much younger than you. You’d do better to recommend a book that is more in line with a college-level reader.
Works chosen simply to impress: Let’s be honest,James Joyce’s “Finnegans Wake” is not your favorite book. College interviewers are human, and they have likely been through this exact same process. They know the tendency of high schoolers to pick works purely to impress.
Here’s what you SHOULD pick:
Pick a book that you sincerely love and that you are comfortable talking about.
Pick a book with enough substance to it so that you can explain why you like the book.
Pick a book that is at an appropriate reading level; something that is a huge hit among fourth-graders is probably not your best choice.
Pick a book that gives the interviewer a window into your interests and passions.
Go to your college interview using professional body language.
As much as this interview is meant to be a casual conversation to get to know you, you must not lose sight of the fact that it is still an evaluative interview. Professional body language makes an impression – from wearing semi-formal or formal outfits, to maintaining eye-contact and speaking confidently. You do not want to come across as extremely nervous, nor do you want to come across as lethargic and lazy.
Here are a few things to keep in mind before your college interview:
Maintain strong eye-contact with your interviewer: This will help you come across as someone who is confident in their own abilities. Yoodli’s record speech feature will allow you to access statistics such as eye-contact time percentage, and improve!
DO NOT wear casual clothes: Please do not show up for your interview in shorts and a round neck! While you certainly do not need a suit, wearing a semi-formal outfit is helpful
Speak slowly and calmly: Do not appear to be in a rush to speak. You may sound over-rehearsed, and this might be ticking off. Pause while speaking and avoid filler words. You can record your answers and upload them on Yoodli here, and track your pause times, filler words, and pace variation to help you improve!
Tying up the Loose Ends
Please remember that college interviews are not the end of your life! These are just a part of the application process and a bad interview does NOT kill your chances of admission. Alternatively, however, a really stellar interview shall also not make up for your lack of test scores or activities. These interviews are meant to get to know you better, and put a face on your resume. Nevertheless, the concern around interviews is valid, and hopefully these tips will help take away some of it.
What’s Next?
Now that you know what you have to do, you can get cracking with your interview prep and practice your answers on Yoodli. Record yourself answering the questions, and listen in without the pressure of an interviewer, peer or family member! Use Yoodli’s transcription tool to make sure what you’re saying is clear and understandable. Lastly, just remember to be calm and go for the interview with a clear mind. Don’t overthink! We believe in you.
