Diane Darling
Connecting people in a disconnected world
Travels from Boston MA, USA
Audience Feedback
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Attendees Find Valuable
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Would See Again
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Talks Given
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Speaks on:
Communication
Relationship Building
Generational Diversity
Leadership Development
Personal Brand
Public Speaking
Formats:
Workshop
Keynote
Breakout
Training
Audience members say
Key Audience Outcomes
Participants gained confidence in their networking abilities, especially introverts.
Attendees learned practical strategies for initiating and maintaining connections.
Individuals felt empowered to step out of their comfort zones and engage in professional settings.
Participants acquired actionable tips and techniques for effective communication and relationship building.
Attendees discovered how to leverage networking to enhance their leadership skills and career impact.
Diane's Bio
To overcome her fear of public speaking, Diane Darling took acting and stand-up comedy classes. That out-of-the-box and strategic mindset have been a contributing factor to her success. She was even the commencement speaker at MIT Charm School, (yes, there is such a thing). McGraw-Hill commissioned her to write the definitive book on networking called The Networking Survival Guide, which was published in April 2003 and went into a 2nd printing just 90 days after the book hit the shelves. Her books are collectively in 9 languages. She was the 15,418th subscriber on LinkedIn – now there are 1 billion. Her travels include all seven continents and approximately 60 countries.
Private
Varies based on date, location, and engagement type
What you will receive
A detailed quote with pricing, availability, add-ons, and travel info that's ready to share with your team.
Diane Offers the Following Talks
1 / 3
Effective Networking Strategies
Better understanding of what networking is (and isn’t)
Ways to get started when you haven’t been in touch with people in your past
Tools and apps to organize your contacts so you can stay in touch
Overview of LinkedIn, how to set up a profile, and the elements to include
Identifying organizations and events that are worth your time, money, and effort
Show more >
The Human Connection in the Age of AI
Leverage AI to enhance networking and communication
Recognize and mitigate bias in AI and decision-making
Apply human-centered strategies in an AI-driven world
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45 - 60 minutes
Self-Leadership: What It Is & Why It Matters
Top skills leaders need and how to get them
Ways to get visibility in your organization, industry, and other settings
Better understanding the difference between self-promotion and self-advocacy
How and why you need to build a team of champions
Ways to stay insert yourself in a conversation
Show more >
45 - 60 minutes
Difficult Conversations – How to Have Them When Needed and Best Ways to Avoid Them in the Future
Separating a difficult conversation from a difficult person why that’s key to the outcome
Ways to be prepared emotionally as well as with the information to be shared
How to build the confidence that helps you prepare for future conversations
What to do if the situation escalates and gets emotional
Why selecting the location and timing of your conversation is imperative
Show more >
Dealing with Difficult People: Strategies for Success
Identifying characteristics of difficult people and understanding their behavior
Effective communication techniques to manage and diffuse difficult interactions
Building resilience and emotional intelligence to maintain composure
Strategies for setting boundaries and maintaining professionalism
Practical exercises to apply these strategies in real-world scenarios
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45 - 60 minutes
Mastering Public Speaking Skills
Ways to embrace natural nervous and speak up
Places to practice public speaking within your industry and outside
What makes a good speech and how to deliver one
PowerPoint, handouts, and other materials – when to use them or avoid them
Top mistakes speakers make and how to avoid them
Show more >
45 - 60 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions on Working With Diane
What should I know about working with you?
I'm low maintenance, easy going, and will work hard to be sure you get what you want. One of the questions I always ask is "what do you want people to do, think, and feel after my talk." My goal is to make you look like a rockstar.
What's included in your fee?
My fee includes prep calls - typically two or three. It's only happened once, but if someone needs to 'approve' slides, I'd want to be sure there is time allowed for that. I send the Talkadot report as soon as I can so you can read feedback from the audience.
Can you customize your presentation for our specific audience and event theme?
Absolutely! I'm happy to customize based on your audience, theme, and budget.
What kind of promotional support do you offer to help market the event?
Happy to help promote your event. I have over 22,000 followers on LinkedIn so that's my best channel for you. I can record a video that you can embed in a newsletter to welcome them and the audience can get a sense of who I am and my style.
How do you engage audiences post-event?
I typically stay for the entire event. If I'm the afternoon speaker, I show up in the morning to get to meet people. I'm not a "speak and run" person - it's all about building relationship.
Do you offer extras (book signings, meet-and-greets)?
I'm happy to offer a book signing or meet-and-greet. If there are over 100 books purchased, I can pass along a discount.
My organization has a limited budget. Do you have any flexibility in your pricing?
My goal is to say 'yes' as often as I can. Let's talk!
Will I receive post-event materials (slides, recordings, handouts)?
Happy to send along a PDF of my slides. I also provide handouts and an action list.
What is your policy on event recordings and media rights?
Recordings are allowed as long as they are for internal use only.
What are your specific travel requirements?
If the program is within 100 miles of Boston, I don't charge any travel - gas, tolls, etc will be picked up by me. I REALLY prefer not to travel the same day I speak. There's just too much that can go wrong. I fly coach (happy to take an upgrade but not expected).