Are you playing it safe in front of the room? Many of my clients work with me because they want more confidence and clarity. in their presentations. They know where they want to go as public speakers but don’t know how to get there. They want to be respected for their leadership and admired for their inspiration.
What I discovered is that too often they are playing it safe in front of the room. They default to what they know and don’t take the risks that would allow them to stand out and be a memorable public speaker.
A few years ago, I stopped in the Michael Kors store in New York City. He’s one of my favorite designers and I like to see his designs even if I’m not buying. It was before New Years and I saw a dress I loved. It was a black knit with long sleeves and ostrich feathers lining the bottom. They had my size and it looked good when I tried it on. Then the store consultant brought in some shoes. They were black stretchy sneaker boots with bling on the back of the heel. I tried them on. They were very comfortable but a little expensive. After all, they were not shoes to wear with a New Years Eve dress. The store consultant said I could wear them with the dress. Really? I turned to my friend and asked her opinion. I told her I would never have considered pairing these black sneaker boots with something dressy. She said I should buy them. I looked at the consultant. He didn’t pressure me. He let the conversation I had with my friend play out. After a bit of hesitation, I bit the bullet and pulled out my credit card. I wore them with the New Years Eve dress.
People liked the look. It was different. Those shoes were warm on a cold night and SO comfortable.
I had stopped playing it safe in front of the room. A presentation begins with how you look before you ever open your mouth. I stepped out of my comfort zone of what I thought was appropriate footwear for dressy occasions. I had been holding back my self expression with limiting beliefs about what was appropriate.
Fast forward to today. I wear those sneaker boots to speaking engagements. No more commuting or standing in heels. I’ve combined fashion and comfort. What’s interesting is that when I collect audience evaluations of my speaking engagements someone usually writes, “Love the shoes.” I no longer feel I have to look perfectly “corporate” or follow rigid rules of fashion. As Tom Cruise said in the movie Risky Business, “Sometimes you just have to say (expletive).
What I didn’t know then that I know now, is to stop playing it safe in front of the room sometimes begins before you open your mouth. For me it began with the shoes.
If you want to Stop Playing It Safe in Front of the Room and Be Respected for your Leadership and Admired for your Inspiration, contact me at DiResta Communications.
(When we work together I promise you can wear any shoes you want.)