Stop Waiting for Someone to Notice You; Just Start Speaking

Every time you have a conversation with a client, it’s an opportunity to practice speaking.

Actually, every time you are in front of anyone it’s an opportunity to practice your skills, work
on the craft of engagement, understand your speaking style, and work out new ideas.

That’s pretty amazing if you think about it!

The next time you stand up to explain an idea, lead a discussion, or influence a decision, think of
it as building your presentation toolbox.

As an aspiring leader, your superiors are watching how you communicate under pressure, how
you organize your thoughts, and how you lead.

These are skills that will move you to the next level.

New mantra: Speak as often as Possible

Speaking is a learned skill.

Of course, for some, it comes more naturally, but learning to speak with confidence is something
you can work on…and achieve.

When clients come to me, they often feel like they don’t have enough opportunities to practice.
They get stuck on where to find a group or an opportunity to lead.

Here are a few ideas that can really be game changers as you build confidence and work on the
skill of engagement:

– Be the volunteer who facilitates meetings
– Create regular update meetings during the project process
– Lead brainstorming sessions to familiarize yourself with managing a group discussion
– Offer to speak at company events

As you lead different groups, you will quickly learn every audience teaches you something.

That is experience and education you can’t get from a book!
As an actor, we rehearse and test lines; we rewrite them if necessary or delete them altogether if
they don’t add to the scene.

Testing your material will allow you to know if it feels natural, if it creates flow, and if you feel
passionate about sharing the information you prepared.

As you test your presentation material, ensure it resonates with you, allowing you to deliver in a
meaningful way.

Keep these in mind as you practice:
– Pay attention to where people laugh (and where they don’t!)
– Pay attention to when people are asking questions
– Pay attention to when people tune out
– Pay attention to how natural the material feels in conversation

Real Audiences Change Everything.

You can practice all day long by yourself; however, real audiences, in any form, change
everything.

Their expressions affect your confidence.
Their questions shift your delivery.
Their engagement changes your pace.

You Never Know What’s Coming

I remember working on a show where, at a certain point, we couldn’t make it through rehearsal
we were laughing so hard.

We were convinced it would be a highlight of the show.
Then came the live audience.

The big moment came, and it was met with complete silence.
Not even a smile!

It was a valuable reminder that audiences are wonderfully unpredictable.
That is what makes live presenting exciting.

Don’t Assume, Ask Questions

The best presenters are constantly asking themselves:
– What connected?
– Where did I lose the audience?
– Which story landed?
– Which example needs work?

Every presentation becomes research for the next one.

Each presentation builds another layer of skill.

Each audience teaches another lesson.

Each opportunity makes the next one feel just a little easier.

To move into senior leadership, don’t wait until someone asks you to speak; use every
opportunity to get in front of a group.

Become the Leader People can Already see in Front of the Room.