At the age of 24, I found myself promoted to the senior team of a hospital-healthcare company, and inundated with requests for speaking at conferences as a way to promote our name and build community relations.
One request came in for a conference that was a big deal for us. I was asked to do it, and when I was waffling on whether to say yes or not, I remembered my earliest mentor had told me there are two times to speak and be of service to people– when I wanted to and when I didn’t want to.
I said yes with intrpedation knowing that the audience would include distinguished colleagues and peers. I convinced myself I’d be fine because I had spoken to youth groups throughout my high school and college days, with no problem.
I found as the time got closer to deliver the presentation, I became increasingly nervous and an unfamilar anxiety began to grip me, and by the time of the presentation I was beset by it all – muscles slighty trembling, sweaty palms, increasingly distracted, talking to my slides, quickening the pace of the material, you may know the drill.
It was not my best presentation and while I did manage through it, I knew I had a decision to make leaving that day– either commit to improving my skills at speaking or accept my career would be forever limited to my current role.
I realized speaking is really just like developing a muscle at the gym – and so years ago I commited to just that- working out as a speaker. Then years ago I created a program called Center Stage- for leaders and professionals like me who wanted to maximize their effectiveness and never be average again.
Some of the best practices you learn in the program is the importance of learning how to communicate one person at a time, having a plan for preparation, knowing how to modulate your breath and voice, being planful about technology, increasing your Xfactor and leadership presence, and refining your content (that moves people to remember and repeat your information). All of these topics are covered and more in the Center Stage program, so please join us next time. www.colmancoaching.com
