Luan de Burgh

Luan de Burgh is a professional public speaker and presentation coach.

moving quickly

Presentation skills for lawyers: Know your pace

The great thing about quotes is that they hang around, just waiting for the right occasion! So I’m going to lift this one which I will use to illustrate the theme of this month’s article. It comes from a certain John Martins Jr; “Life is not a race, but a journey to be savoured each […]

Presentation skills for lawyers: How quiet people can still be heard

Once upon a time there was a vogue for stoic and silent types, based on characters which sizzled on the screen while rarely saying a word. Typified by Clint Eastwood and Bette Davis, who could hold an audience with a simple change of expression, more recent years the likes of Tom Hardy in Mad Max […]

Presentation skills for lawyers: Recognising the need for speed

A recent research study has suggested that we increasingly have a need for more speed in how we consume content. Does this suggest that there are lessons to be drawn about how we communicate, particularly there is a mix of generations in the workplace? According to a study by YouGov, there is a cultural shift […]

Presentation skills for lawyers: Perfecting ‘the look’

There is much to be said for communicating one’s annoyance or disapproval with a ‘look’. Paddington Bear was an expert in such a look, in the form of his trademark hard stare, which often caused the receiver to become flushed and embarrassed. I have a look which I bring out when, mid-way through a conversation, […]

Presentation skills for lawyers: What to know before starting a podcast

Politicians do it, footballers do it, even the Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ Flea does it… And if you were attracted to the title of this article, it’s highly likely that you have considered making a podcast too! And why not? The podcast has been one of the biggest break out channels of communication in recent […]

Presentation skills for lawyers: can you have a beautiful voice?

Beautiful is not an adjective one would immediately associate with Boris Johnson, but the Financial Times decided recently that this was an apt description for the voice of the former Prime Minister. The same journalist continued that Mr Johnson’s voice is “deep and textured, raspy without crossing into sibilance”. While a columnist in a rival […]

Presentation skills for lawyers: Zelensky’s rule of three masterclass

There are few politicians who have been such a so impactful as Volodymyr Zelensky in recent times. A year ago, few outside of Ukraine knew the name. Twelve months later, many voters around the world wish they had leaders as inspiring as Time’s person of the year for 2022. As the Ukraine war nears a year […]

Presentation skills for lawyers: Why you need a Christmas break

It’s almost time to take a deep breath, climb off the work horse and take a well deserved break for a few days to enjoy the Christmas break. All that stands in our way is tying up all those loose ends and surviving a month of Christmas parties. The strange thing is, that as I […]