Nailing Public Speaking
/I had some really great client feedback recently which made my day (and more importantly hers). She shared with me a video of what is called an 'ice breaker' speech from her local Toastmasters club meeting. She was absolutely outstanding, just as I knew she could be with a bit of help on the mindset side.
The feedback she received was overwhelmingly positive including this from one of her fellow club members, "Congratulations on your performance last night and even more so today! It was a fantastic speech! You had us all engaged and it was incredibly relatable!
Even more impressive, this newfound confidence carried over into her work the following day. She mentioned, "I had to present at work, and I really channelled that positivity. I delivered it with a smile throughout and practised your breathing techniques beforehand!"
We achieved this transformation after just three focused sessions of therapy and coaching. Previously, she had experienced panic before certain types of public speaking.
I've observed that many people feel comfortable with some forms of public speaking but not others. For some, it's speaking in front of peers; for others, it's addressing those in more senior positions. This suggests that the anxiety stems not from public speaking itself, but from the context and the perceptions one holds about it.
My approach to this mindset issue involves identifying when and where the mind learned this fear, so we can reframe it and provide tools, including breathing techniques, to help individuals stay calm and manage their discomfort, building confidence along the way.
Mastering public speaking is an invaluable skill. Feeling uncomfortable with it can hinder your career and affect your ability to communicate and influence effectively in various situations.
If you struggle with public speaking or want to enhance your confidence, let's connect and discuss how we can work together to overcome these challenges. Your journey to more confident communication can start here.