Whether you're speaking to crowds or presenting to colleagues, public speaking is a skill, not just a talent -- one that can be learned and honed, says Allison Shapira, founder and CEO of Global Public Speaking. In this episode, Allison shares ways we can overcome public speaking barriers, offers three tips for crafting the right talk, and explains why speaking should focus on "searchlights" and not "spotlights."

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ABOUT ALLISON:

Allison Shapira is the Founder/CEO of Global Public Speaking LLC, a communication training firm that helps people speak clearly, concisely, and confidently. She teaches public speaking at the Harvard Kennedy School and has spent the last 18 years working with Fortune 50 companies, government agencies, and non-profit organizations around the world. She is the author of Speak with Impact: How to Command the Room and Influence Others (HarperCollins Leadership) which was a Washington Post best-seller.