Throw Out The Rulebook

What if I mess up? 

What if I forget a word? 

What if...[fill in the blank]? 

I hear it almost daily. The doubts and fears associated with public speaking. The self-imposed pressure to be perfect when stepping in front of an audience. 

When I start working with a new client, some of the most frequently asked questions I get are: 

• Can you teach me how to use my hands? 

• Can you show me how to stand and move around the stage?

• I want to sound like [fill in the blank]. Can you teach me how? 

My answer is always the same: Yes and No. 

Yes, I can absolutely teach you best practices for public speaking, including verbal and nonverbal delivery techniques. 

No, I will not force you to follow those best practices.

And no, I will not teach you how to mimic someone else.

What I will do is help you be the best version of yourself. 

Why? Because you are uniquely you. You already have a communication style all your own. And if you study the best speakers and entertainers, you’ll notice something:

They break the rules! 

They aren’t perfectly polished or following every textbook move. They lean into who they are and own it. That’s what makes them stand out. And that’s what draws people in. 

My approach is different from most other public speaking coaches because I’d rather you throw out the rule book and lean into your authentic style. My job is to help you polish it so you feel comfortable and confident. 

Because when you show up as yourself, you not only deliver with more ease, you also let your audience in. And that creates a level of connection that no perfectly polished presentation can ever do!

So don't worry about messing up. It's more about how you recover than the mistakes you make. We're all human after all. 

Forget a word or even an entire paragraph? Nobody knows what you planned to say except for you. And they won't know unless you tell them. 

And if you happen to launch a clicker across the room in front of an international Fortune 500 audience? I’ve been there, done that!

Public speaking is about connection, not perfection. When you let go of the need to be perfect, stop focusing on what might go wrong, and lean into sharing your story with heart and authenticity, you'll shine every time!

Speak Success,