Confidence Begins Before You Say a Word
I had just sat down in the ballroom at the Chicago Hilton Towers, finally ready to enjoy a quiet lunch before the afternoon sessions began.
That’s when she came running toward me.
In a panic, she says, “The person assigned to deliver the evocation can’t make it. Can you do it? Please!”
“When would I be speaking?” I asked.
“In five minutes” she explained.
Five. Minutes. And, I said yes.
Instead of trying to force something brilliant, I stood still. I took several slow, deliberate breaths. I stopped fighting the nerves. I refocused. My mind cleared.
The story came to me.
The simple story about a moment with my daughter. Honest. Human. Real.
At the five-minute mark, I walked onto that stage and told the story.
The room was silent in the way you hope for as a speaker. The kind of silence that means people are with you – the right message, at the right time, for the right audience.
The truth, confidence doesn’t begin when you step onto a stage.
It begins in the quiet moments of inner conflict before you say a word.
Confidence on stage can be highjacked by such thoughts as:
- What if I forget what to say?
- What if they don’t connect with me?
- What if I’m not as polished as everyone else?
- What if the audience thinks I’m boring?
The secret?
Be so prepared that fear doesn’t get the final word.
Natural presenters aren’t born. It is the result of intentional preparation and rehearsed skills.
When you prepare properly, you remove uncertainty. When you remove uncertainty, you create space for connection.
Connection is what audiences remember and these four steps will get you there:
- One clarified message
- Record yourself and listen to it.
- Practice. Practice. Practice. Out loud until your material feels like a natural conversation.
Preparation transforms anxiety into ownership and THAT is power the audience will feel. If you make a mistake, own it, and then move on. Being human is always ok and audiences are generally empathetic. Being real doesn’t diminish confidence, it enhances it.
Why does confidence transform presentations?
Confidence is the building block of trust and the belief that your message holds value. Value is a key factor in engaging an audience. Time is valuable and they want a return on their investment in you. Remember, they are open to your wisdom, even welcome it, give your gifts freely.
When I start to present on stage, I start with a PAUSE (take a deep breath). Then deliver.
It puts the audience at ease allowing them to give you their attention and their trust. The signs you have engaged the audience looks like this:
- People lean in
- They stop checking their phones
- They become willing to follow your ideas
Confidence is not about sounding important or intelligent. It’s about making your audience feel safe enough to listen.
How can you establish confidence ensuring a memorable delivery?
- Pause instead of rushing
- Make eye contact instead of hiding behind slides
- Speak to people, not at them
- Allow moments to land with silence
Presence and pause says this message contains value. When preparing your material, always ask the question “Is this useful for them?” Service builds confidence faster than self-criticism ever will.
Take away to implement today:
1. Practice Out Loud (Not in Your Head)
Speak your material aloud multiple times so your brain and body recognize it as familiar.
2. Prepare Your First 60 Seconds Thoroughly
It is important to set the tone with an impactful story, an emotional quote, or a meaningful recollection that will set the emotional impact of your presentation.
3. Focus on One Clear Outcome
What is the one take away of the day?
4. Rehearse Your Pauses
A well-placed pause allows your message to resonate.
5. Visualize Connection
Picture a conversation that speaks to real world examples. The audience will respond to authenticity first.
For ways to work with me visit www.chrismcauley.co or email chris@chrismcauley.co
