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Advice from Chris

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Pajamas, Dangling Cords, and Other No-No’s for Virtual Candidates

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“For candidates up and down the ballot, reaching voters requires a vibrant online presence. It shouldn’t be overly produced, nor does it need to be perfect. But it should reflect who you are and why you’re ready to serve. I’ve been coaching women candidates for twenty years and here are my six top points on how to present your best virtual self.”

Keep reading here.

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Women's March 2018

How to Get Your Message Across at the Women’s March

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A wave of women’s voices will once again power the resistance and drive social change at the third annual Women’s Marches around the world this weekend. For the speakers taking to the stage to make themselves heard, standing before a gigantic crowd can be a simultaneously exhilarating and nerve-wracking experience.

I’ve been backstage coaching women leaders since the Million Mom March in 2000. Whether you’re speaking to the crowd or marching right along with it this year, these three tips will help you keep your head in the game so your message rings clear.

Read the full article here.

Photo credit: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Four Ways Certainty, Conviction and Anger Can Power Your Voice

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Dr. Christine Blasey Ford was subjected to the same double-standards Anita Hill dealt with in eerily similar circumstance: both were expected to be pleasing while their abusers felt free to let their anger fly.

Women who speak truth to power often face intense scrutiny and pressure to conform to expectations. Yet, knowing full well what they would face, Blasey Ford and Hill still came forward. Sitting on the sidelines or keeping quiet were not options. A strong motivating force, a sense of obligation or “civic duty,” propelled them to speak out.

You likely feel the same way about your advocacy work—and that’s good, because that inner motivation can drive you forward. You can use it to speak out for what you believe in and to push back against bias, exploitation and hate.

Here are some core principles to guide your way.

Read the full article here.

Photo Credit: United States Senate cameras. From Official YouTube channel for US Senator Dick Durbin., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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Public Speaking Advice for Handling BS on the Campaign Trail

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In GenderWatch, Chris Jahnke writes, “Too many campaigns hold back – ignoring derogatory comments because they don’t view them as damaging. Or, candidates are advised to bite their tongue lest they sound whiny, petty and create a backlash.  In a post-2016 election world, this guidance is outdated. It’s time for campaigns to pull on their big girl pants. It’s time for staff to give women candidates the support they need.  It’s time to empower the candidate.” Read the full article here.

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Oprah – Other Worldly Source of Inspiration: What Every Woman Candidate Can Learn from Her Magnus Opus

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In GenderWatch, Chris Jahnke writes, “In today’s blockbuster release of A Wrinkle in Time, Oprah Winfrey plays Mrs. Which – an out-of-this world being who inspires a young girl to “Be a warrior.” Real-world Oprah doesn’t need to appear as a shimmering light to lead us out of the darkness here on Earth.” Read the full article here.

Photo Credit: Photo by Monica Silvestre from Pexels

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How to Run Against an Old, White Conservative

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Campaign Tips from a Speech Coach

The surefire way to bring the crowd to its feet at the Women’s Convention in Detroit was to announce you are running for office. “Hell ‘yeah!” was the response at the three-day organizing event as love was showered on the aspiring candidates. It was a wind beneath candidates’ wings needed to carry them down a rocky campaign trail. Read the full article here.

Photo Credit: Photo by The_MrDan from Pexels

Well-Spoken Women of 2017

Being Heard: How to Hold the Floor

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Tips for Lawyers & Anyone Who Contends with Mansplainers and Conversation Hogs

In Medium, Chris Jahnke writes, “As a speech coach whose passion is helping women speak out I’m often asked: how can I do a better job of holding the floor? The question comes from women who want to throw out ideas in meetings and presentations but dread being interrupted, shot down or ignored.”

Read the full article here.

Photo Credit: Photo by George Milton from Pexels

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US News & World Report: TV is ruining presidential debates

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Typically, if debates fail in the intended purpose of informing voters, the blame is heaped on the candidates who supposedly are coached to deliver canned responses. This cycle, we can blame weak moderators, gotcha questions and no clear ground rules. Fortunately, there is still time before voters head to the polls next week to take five simple steps to ensure future debates do more to shore up our democracy. Read the full op-ed here.

Photo Credit: Photo by George Milton from Pexels

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