The Power of Preparation: The Second Step in SPEAC Success

Sarah Santana
Aug 22
2 min read

When it comes to speaking, most people think preparation means memorizing every line of a speech. But that’s not true preparation. Real preparation isn’t about locking yourself into a script — it’s about grounding yourself so you can speak with clarity, confidence, and flexibility.

That’s why the second pillar of the SPEAC Framework™ is Prepare.

Once your strategy is clear, it’s time to get to work. Prepare is where you gather what you need to bring your message to life. This stage includes researching your topic, finding relevant data or stories, and building out the structure that will guide your delivery.

Think of it as creating your roadmap — your talking points, your flow, your supporting material — so you’re not just prepared, you’re grounded.

A Real World Example:

Several years ago, I was asked to present at a leadership offsite about the future of employee engagement. Instead of writing a word-for-word speech, I spent my time preparing with intention:

I researched industry trends and success stories to back up my insights.
I structured my talk into clear sections so I wouldn’t lose my flow.
I mapped out examples that felt relatable to the executives in the room — stories they could see themselves in.

By the time I stepped up to speak, I didn’t feel chained to notes or worried about forgetting lines. I felt confident, focused, and ready to engage — because I had built a strong foundation.

What Does Good Preparation Look Like:

Do your research. Understand your topic so you can speak with depth, not just surface-level knowledge.
Build your structure. Map out your talking points and flow so you have a clear path to follow.
Gather your stories and data. Use real examples to make your message stick.
Ground yourself. When you know your material, you can focus less on remembering what to say and more on how you want to say it.

The Bottom Line:

Strong preparation gives you something even more valuable than polish: confidence.When you’re grounded in your content, you’re free to show up fully — to connect, to adapt, and to lead.

At SPEAC, we believe that preparation isn’t about sounding perfect — it’s about building the kind of confidence that lets your authentic voice shine.

Ready to take your speaking skills to the next level? Don’t just prepare—SPEAC it out. Sign up for our SPEAC E-Course and learn how to craft talks, pitches, and presentations that truly land. In just a few focused lessons, you’ll: