Speak Without Fear — Any Time, Anywhere

By Diane DiResta, CSP
Professional Speaker | Virtual Presentation Coach with AI | Executive Presence & Leadership Coach
February 5, 2026

Public speaking isn’t reserved for extroverts. Yet for many professionals, the fear of speaking up—whether on stage, on Zoom, or in a meeting—keeps their ideas hidden and their visibility limited.

Imagine delivering a presentation and feeling calm, focused, and confident. For many, that feels unrealistic. Public speaking consistently ranks as the number one fear, even surpassing the fear of death. According to Crown Consulting, 77% of people experience some level of speaking anxiety.

The goal isn’t to eliminate nerves entirely. The goal is to remove fear as a barrier to being seen, heard, and taken seriously.

Confidence doesn’t require years of practice—or standing on a physical stage.

Thanks to artificial intelligence, professionals can now deliver presentations, share ideas, and establish authority without the traditional pressures of live speaking.

One example is virtual presentation technology created by David Litwin, CEO of Detail Models and VOX AI, which allows speakers to present on a realistic, virtual stage using their own voice and image. Think of it as public speaking for introverts—or anyone who wants a low-stress way to be visible.

Curious, I tested it myself.

I sent a still photograph and recorded a short presentation on my iPhone using Voice Notes. Within days, I received a video of myself standing on a stage, behind a microphone, in front of an audience—wearing the same red dress from the original photo.

Speaker Video https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Mh2NyEHguTShbRnWL-CTDlXJcif2YP3F/view?usp=sharing.

What stood out:

• The audio quality was excellent—it was my real voice.

• The gestures and expressions were natural and engaging.

• There was no memorization, no pressure, and no fear of losing my train of thought.

• I could read from notes and record multiple takes.

This wasn’t traditional video editing. The entire presentation was generated from a single still image and voice recording—creating a polished, professional result with minimal effort.

An added benefit? This technology can be used to give prospective clients a preview of a keynote or presentation before booking—something that traditionally requires costly demo videos.

When fear is removed from the equation, professionals gain:

• Visibility without anxiety

• Confidence without years of stage experience

• Consistency in message delivery

• Credibility through professional presentation

Instead of avoiding speaking opportunities, leaders can now:

• Share ideas through email and social media

• Deliver presentations without stepping on stage

• Build a personal brand using their real voice and image

This approach doesn’t replace live speaking—it creates a bridge to it.

If you’ve been avoiding public speaking, start small and strategic.

1. Use virtual presentation tools to practice and publish your message in a low-risk environment.

2. Focus on clarity, not perfection. Your message matters more than flawless delivery.

3. Increase visibility incrementally—short videos, internal presentations, or client previews.

4. Get support when fear persists. Only 8% of people with public speaking anxiety seek professional help, yet coaching accelerates confidence faster than trial and error.

As an executive speech coach, I help leaders speak with authority—on stage, on camera, and in high-stakes conversations. If fear is holding you back, you don’t have to manage it alone.

To work with me visit diresta.com

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You don’t need to eliminate fear to speak powerfully.
You need the right tools, strategies, and support.

The Missing Piece That Can Sabotage Your Presentation

You may have good platform skills as a public speaker. But that’s not enough. It takes more than confidence and skills in the room or on the stage. The part that often gets overlooked is the piece that can sabotage your presentation.

The missing piece is STAGING. That's right. Staging is not just for a platform. If you're planning an event where people will be sharing their thoughts or accolades, how you stage the room will determine the success of the meeting or presentation.

Case in point: When I was a trainer for an investment banking firm in New York, we conducted a two-day off-site at a hotel. On Day One of the seminar there was a group of rowdy young men who sat together and could be disruptive. It took work to keep order. That night, my co-facililtator and I assessed the audience and the room. We decided that we would require participants to change seats on Day Two with one condition. We placed their name tags where we wanted them to sit and of course we broke up the rowdy group. We had more control and the seminar went smoothly.

 Recently, a client of mine planned his wedding in the middle of his coaching program. So we quickly pivoted to preparing him for any speaking he would do at the rehearsal dinner and at the wedding. One of the challenges was that family and friends wanted to stand up and say a few words. It turned out to be eight people which could have been unruly. In addition, his elderly grandmother couldn't attrend and he was sadly resigned to not hearing from her. Here is where staging comes in.

I suggested that he video record her best wishes and play the recording at the wedding so that her presence would be felt. Then we addressed the number of people who wanted to speak. It could have easily turned into a boring evening if he allowed all eight people to speak without any guidelines or plan. So we asked them to speak for one minute, knowing they would go over the time but it would not be a long speech.

Then we assessed their speaking skills. We determined the order by putting the skilled speakers at the beginning of the line-up, the average speakers in the middle, and the rest of the skilled speakers at the end. It was perfectly staged and the evening rehearsal dinner was a great success. Staging saved the day. Staging is not just for the theater. The next time you have an event where people will be speaking, plan a strategy and stage it for success. For more tips on staging, read chapter 9, Setting the Stage, in Knockout Presentations. #staging #publicspeaking #settingthestage #knockoutpresentations 

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Why Team Presentations Fail (and How to Avoid These 5 Mistakes)

It takes a village to deliver a winning team presentation. Simply assembling a group of strong individual speakers doesn’t automatically create a strong team. In fact, even the most talented presenters can miss the mark if they don’t understand the rules of engagement.

Here are the top five mistakes teams make—and how to avoid them:

1. No Rehearsal

Too often, presenters practice their parts in isolation. But practicing alone is not the same as a team rehearsal. A successful presentation depends on timing, coordination, and flow, which can only be achieved through group practice. Lack of time is not an excuse— even a conference call can serve as a rehearsal. The best teams rehearse out loud, as a group, and time themselves.

2. Lack of Leadership

Every team presentation needs a leader or facilitator. This person sets the tone, introduces team members, outlines the agenda, and manages questions. Without a leader, team members appear to speak in silos, disconnected from one another. The leader ensures coordination, smooth transitions, time management, and handles any glitches. Strong leadership equals a seamless presentation.

3. Weak Transitions

Transitions are the thread that holds a team presentation together. Without them, speakers stop abruptly, leaving the next presenter to stumble in with an awkward, “I think Ann goes next.” Planned handoffs—like passing the baton in a relay—create flow, continuity, and professionalism.

4. Ignoring Team Dynamics

Remember, you’re always on stage. Team members who slouch, whisper, or look disengaged while others are speaking send the wrong message. Instead, sit upright, maintain eye contact with the audience, and occasionally glance at your teammates. Show through your body language that you are part of a united team.

5. Messy Q&A

Even a strong presentation can unravel during the question-and-answer session. Teams sometimes talk over each other, contradict answers, or leave a colleague stranded when they stumble. A polished team anticipates questions in advance, decides who will address which topics, and supports one another. If a teammate struggles, jump in gracefully with, “If I can add to what Jack is saying…” That’s what teamwork looks like.

A team is only as strong as its weakest link. When a team prepares together, aligns around a consistent message, and rehearses as a unit, the audience experiences more than just good individual presentations. They see—and feel—the power of a unified team.

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Public Speaking: From Boring to Brilliant

Can you stand to attend one more boring presentation? Did you ever wonder why there are so many boring presentations? Is there something in the water? Is it genetic? Is there any hope for public speakers who bore the audience? The good news is yes. You don’t have to be boring. Gifted speakers are born but effective speakers are made.  Here’s how to go from boring to brilliant.

1. Change your mindset: From Data Dump to Impact

Boring: Speaker-centered. This is the biggest mistake. The presentation focuses on what the speaker wants to talk about.

Brilliant: Listener-Centered. The focus is on the audience. The presenter speaks to the self interests of the listeners. Start with what the audience cares about. It It’s not about you. It’s about them!

2. Clarity and Structure

Boring: Rambling and unfocused message. There doesn’t seem to be a destination.

Brilliant: Presents a logical, sequence and structure with a clear opening, key points, and conclusion. Good delivery sits on structure. Build the foundation for your messages.

3.Storytelling

Boring: Recites, facts, data, and statistics. The audience will tune out early when the content is only about data.

Brilliant: Tells stories to communicate information and adds metaphors, analogies and examples to add color to the message and bring it to life. People remember stories over facts. Stories convey emotion and the audience sees themselves in the story. The most brilliant speakers are storytellers.

4.Body language and Executive Presence

Boring: Stiff fidgeting, slouching, looking down, slumping shoulders, stays planted behind the lectern, paces back and forth.

Brilliant: Smiling, straight posture, direct eye contact with different people in the room, working the room with purposeful movement and energy.. Puncutuates a point with appropriate gestures.

5. Vocal Variety

Boring: Monotone, soft spoken, voice trails off at the end of a sentence, slow pace.

Brilliant: Experiments with pitch, alternates volume, pauses for effect. Uses longer pauses for dramatic impact. Changes the pacing. Uses different voices when playing a role. Masters the pause and is not afraid of silence.

6.Audience Engagement

Boring: Talking head. Talks at the audience.

Brilliant: Connects. Talks with the audience. Is present in the moment and not afraid to go off script. Incorporates what happens in the room. Asks questions and challenges the audience.

7. Authenticity and Passion

Boring: Memorizes a speech and sounds scripted or rehearsed. May sound detached.

Brilliant: Speaks with heart, passion, and conviction. Not afraid to show emotion. They engage in self-disclosure which builds trust. Is true to their own style and doesn’t try to mimic another type of speaker. They care more about the audience than they do about their performance.

In summary, a boring speaker simply informs. A brilliant speaker transforms.

What is the lesson? Click here to find out.

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10 Signs Your Audience is Listening

Do you know if your audience is listening? Can they be on a phone and still listen? How do you entice them to listen?

It’s a given. Attention spans are shrinking. Your audience decides in seconds whether you are interesting and if your message is worth listening to.

Here are common clues that your audience is listening.

Eye Contact: Are they making steady eye contact with the speaker? Are they looking at the slides on the screen? 

·  Body Language: Audience members who are leaning forward with open body language are signaling that they are receptive to the message. Other body language signs are

-  Head Nodding: When you see audience members are nodding their heads in agreement that’s a signal that they are engaged.

-Facial Expressions such as smiling or raised eye brows can indicate agreement or surprise.

Verbal Responses: In a small group, members may comment or ask relevant questions, Statements such as "yes," or "I see," vindicate active listening. Laughter is also a strong indicator of audience attention.

Note-Taking: Audience members who find the information valuable may often take note to aid in the listening process.

Participation: Asking or answering questions, raising their hands, and actively participating in exercises or activities show that the audience is actively listening.

Mirroring: When rapport is strong audience members may find themselves mirroring the body language of the speaker.

Feedback: After the presentation, if participants offer constructive feedback or stay around to ask follow-up questions you’ll know they were listening.

Silence: Don’t assume the audience isn’t listening if there is silence. If a topic is complex or the audience is naturally reserved it doesn’t mean they’re not listening. One professional speaker thought he was bombing because the audience was silent. He tried every technique to engage them but he just couldn’t read them. When he concluded, they gave him a standing ovation and rushed the stage to talk to him.

Remember that each audience is different. Listening can be impacted by culture, time of the presentation, the environment, and their emotional state. You may not have control over all these things but you do have the ability to be interesting Be open and give it your best. You can gauge their interest by looking for the 10 signs of listening.

What listening clues do you look for in your audience?

To learn how to Speak Confidently and Effectively check out my LinkedIn learning course. It ranked in the Top 20 Most Popular courses for 2 years.

To learn techniques to overcome fear of speaking, read Chapter 3 of Knockout Presentations.

To work with me contact DiResta Communications, Inc.

"Conquer Your Fear: Celebrating Independence from Public Speaking Anxiety"

Remember the thrill of July 4th when you were a child? The excitement of Independence Day with fireworks, sparklers, barbecues, corn on the cob, and juicy watermelon. It was a joyous celebration of freedom and our nation's independence.

But what if we celebrated another kind of independence? Imagine declaring Independence from Public Speaking Fear. Public speaking is an essential skill that isn't going anywhere, not even with the rise of artificial intelligence (though it can help make it easier).

Picture yourself as a confident public speaker at work, equipped with the skills you need to succeed. How empowering would it be to feel prepared, confident, and respected for your contributions?

Our forefathers who fought for independence taught us a valuable lesson. It all began with the Boston Tea Party, where the people took a stand against unjust taxation and refused to be controlled. You can take a similar stand against the fears that are taxing you.

Think about the things you fear about public speaking: failure, humiliation, brain freeze, or a disengaged audience. Now, imagine putting those fears in a box labeled FEAR and throwing it away.

Next, picture another box labeled CONFIDENCE. Fill it with qualities that make you feel assured: positive self-talk, effective pauses, energetic delivery, audience engagement, smiling faces, and a smooth flow of ideas. Revisit and practice these skills until they become second nature.

Start today and declare your independence from public speaking anxiety. Embrace your new found confidence find your freedom and let your voice be heard!

 To learn how to Speak Confidently and Effectively check out my LinkedIn learning course. It ranked in the Top 20 Most Popular courses for 2 years.

To learn techniques to overcome fear of speaking, read Chapter 3 of Knockout Presentations.

To work with me contact DiResta Communications, Inc.

Mastering the Microphone: Essential Tips for Public Speakers

"Can't hear you." "Use the mic." Nothing is more frustrating for an audience than a speaker who cannot be heard. It doesn’t take a professional speaker to use a microphone effectively, but there will come a time when a subject matter expert or volunteer will need to step up and speak in public. Whether it’s a wedding toast, a thank you for an award, guesting on a podcast, or making an announcement over the PA system, using a microphone effectively is crucial to ensure your message is heard and to demonstrate professionalism.

Types of Microphones

Handheld Microphones

Watch the YouTube Short

·        Dynamic Handheld Microphones: Ideal for stages, handling loud sounds well without picking up much background noise. Hold the microphone no further than three inches from your mouth and aim the head directly at your mouth. Hold the base horizontally for maximum voice amplification.

·        Condenser Microphones: Best for controlled environments like studios, and picking up small details in recordings. Ideal for podcasts and broadcasts, they can plug into a laptop for broadcast-quality sound.

Headset Microphones

·        These are worn on the head with a small microphone attached to a wire, often used in call centers and by presenters who move around a lot, such as exercise instructors or motivational speakers. Ensure the microphone is positioned near the mouth for maximum volume, though the wire can sometimes be distracting.

Lavalier Microphones

·        A hands-free option clipped to your clothing, ideal for presentations, theaters, and television broadcasts. Remember to turn off the microphone before and after your presentation to avoid picking up unwanted conversations. Be cautious with gestures that might produce percussive sounds and consider wardrobe adjustments for the battery pack.

Podium Microphones

·        Attached to a podium or lectern, commonly used at lectures, conferences, and universities. Adjust the level of the microphone close to your mouth and avoid swaying to maintain clear and consistent sound. Too much head turning can cause of loss of volume.

Dos and Don’ts When Using a Microphone

Do:

1.     Test the Microphone and Conduct a Sound Check: Arrive early and get to know the audio-visual person in charge. Have a point person for troubleshooting sound issues.

2.     Consistency is Key: Hold the microphone at the same distance from your mouth to avoid sound variations.

3.     Speak Slowly and Clearly: Clearly enunciate as high-frequency sounds such as /s/ and /f/ can be distorted.

4.     Use Gestures: Even with a handheld microphone, gesturing with one hand can engage the audience and demonstrate enthusiasm.

5.     Project Your Voice: Use enough volume to enhance the sound without yelling into the microphone.

6.     Wear a Belt with a Lavalier Mic: The battery pack can be attached to a waistband or placed in a pocket. If wearing a dress, bring a belt.

Don’t:

1.     Hold the Microphone Too Close or Too Far: This creates inconsistent sound.

2.     Blow on the Microphone: Tapping, blowing, or saying "Testing, Testing" produces unpleasant noises and you’ll appear unprepared. Do a sound check before speaking.

3.     Ignore Feedback: A high-pitched screech indicates you're too close to the audio system. Move away and, if necessary, request a new microphone. Always have a backup.

4.     Move Constantly: It distracts the audience and affects sound quality.

5.     Forget to Turn Off the Microphone: Unintended comments or conversations might be heard by the audience.

6.     Hog the Microphone: During panel discussions, take turns speaking and passing the microphone to the next panelist.

Public speaking is an essential skill for everyone. It’s not enough to know your message; how you deliver it is key. Handling technology, particularly microphones, is a critical part of the presentation. Master the microphone, and your message will be heard, raising your credibility and professionalism while engaging the audience.

 To learn how to Speak Confidently and Effectively check out my LinkedIn learning course. It ranked in the Top 20 Most Popular courses for 2 years.

To learn techniques to overcome fear of speaking, read Chapter 3 of Knockout Presentations.

To work with me contact DiResta Communications, Inc.

How to Give a Knockout Pitch

In American baseball the pitcher can make or break a ball game. The best pitchers warm up, they know the right strategy- whether to strike out the batter or let them walk, They vary their pitch and never lose confidence.

Well, you don’t have to play baseball to pitch. In business you will be making pitches whether it’s an elevator pitch, a sales pitch, a media pitch, a job interview pitch, an investor pitch, or pitching an idea to your manager.

Michael Quinn, the founder of Minor Nobles, the NYC-based consultancy, conducted a study to learn about what makes a good pitch. There were 1800 responses, 75% were male and 25% were female. 

The job levels were  12 % entry-level, 37% mid-level and  51 percent executives. The respondents heard up to 10,000 pitches in a year’s time.

What did the study reveal? Here were the learnings:

Master the facts. It’s important to know your content but when pitching to executives, relevant experience is critical. The more senior the audience, the more important this becomes. Avoid being scripted and don’t rely on the pitch deck. Bring up experience in a conversational format early in the pitch. For less senior audiences do your homework and know the facts.

The team trumps the individual. In other words don’t assign one person to deliver the pitch. It shows cohesiveness when other team members present and it’s more engaging for the audience. Do not bring team members who lack experience or don’t have a lot to say. The exception to relying on one presenter is if a senior team member has high level expertise, listens effectively, and can build trust.

Show Passion for the problem not just the product or solution. Passion is a top trait valued by the audience. Enthusiasm sells. Can the audience feel the energy of the pitch?  Also important are the details. Is it just surface knowledge or can they go deep?

It’s easy to get sidetracked trying to sell the decision-maker on the greatness of the team and the product. But it’s not about the product. It’s about them. Show as much passion for the audience as for the product. Focus on the audience and what they care about. What are their goals?

Listen and respond carefully

Nobody wants to be sold! So listen more and speak less. The difference between winning or losing the pitch is chemistry. That involves empathy, passion, direct communication and excellent listening skills. Focus on building trust.

According to the study, there is no surefire way to win a pitch. It’s more of an art than a science. So start by reading the room and adapt accordingly.

Follow these pitching tips to knock it out of the park.

To learn how to Speak Confidently and Effectively check out my LinkedIn learning course. It ranked in the Top 20 Most Popular courses for 2 years.

To learn techniques to overcome fear of speaking, read Chapter 3 of Knockout Presentations.

To work with me contact DiResta Communications, Inc.

Does the Sound of Your Voice Eclipse Your Success?

Are you losing opportunities because of the sound of your voice? Have you ever heard a voice that was velvety and inviting? What about a voice that sounded like nails on a chalkboard?

Recently, I attended a virtual program The webinar was about a new app. I was interested in the topic and took out my journal ready to take notes. What happened next was jarring. The presenter’s voice started to get in the way of the message. There were three reasons her voice was so irritating:

1. Vocal fry. She had that low pitched gravely Kim Kardashian voice that is so popular in the media especially for female speakers. Vocal fry can often make a presenter sound depressed.

2. Uptalk. Uptalk or upspeak is a singsong, rising inflection at the end of a sentence. It sounds like the speaker is asking a question instead of making a statement. It sounds tentative and gives rise to a lack of conviction or even credibility.

3. Speed talking. The woman didn’t take a breath. She rattled on speaking in one run-on sentence or paragraph. In the absence of pausing, there was no space for the message to land.

   Now combine them all together and you have a recipe for an unsavory vocal stew. I tried to multi-task while the speaker was talking but it only served as background noise. The voice can create a mood and her vocal pattern was having a negative psychological effect on my attitude.

   I left the meeting. This presenter was not alone in having trouble using her voice.

   Interestingly, that same week I received an inquiry from a company. The caller wanted to know if I could help her. She explained that some people were leaving virtual meetings because of the quality of the presentations. She recognized that some of her staff needed to work on their voices. They lacked excitement and even though their department had a unique product, the message wasn’t getting out. Nobody knew about it because of the way the staff used their voices. The sound of their voices was eclipsing their success and their brand.

   How do you improve the sound of your voice? Follow these three steps:

   Awareness. Ask a trusted friend or advisor about your voice. How does it sound? Is there anything about the vocal quality that could cause people to stop listening? Once you have some feedback, listen to your own voice to hear what others are hearing. Get some other opinions.

   Breathing. The next step is to work on your breathing. Breath support is the foundation of a good voice. Learn breathing exercises to sustain the voice, project the voice and create strategic pauses.

   Practice. Incorporate your breathing exercises into your daily practice. Work with a voice coach. Watch broadcasters you admire. and model what they do. Record yourself until you notice a difference. Ask others for feedback.

   You can either allow the sound of your voice to eclipse your success or you minimize those vocal shadows and shine in the spotlight.

   To learn how to Speak Confidently and Effectively check out my LinkedIn learning course. It ranked in the Top 20 Most Popular courses for 2 years.

   To learn techniques to overcome fear of speaking, read Chapter 3 of Knockout Presentations.

   To work with me contact DiResta Communications, Inc.

Strategic Silence: The Art of Pauses in Persuasive Communication

Are you a strategic speaker? Talking too fast? Push the pause button. Persuasive public speakers know the key to influence is in the silence.

In a fast-paced world, where every second counts, it may seem counterintuitive to promote pauses. However, when pauses are used strategically they  can be a powerful tool to increase clarity, impact, and influence in the spoken word. Whether you're leading a meeting, giving a keynote speech or having a conversation, mastering strategic pauses can elevate your communication skills to new heights. Why are pauses so important?

The Importance of Strategic Pauses

When communicating, pausing punctuates a message to convey meaning and add impact. Pausing gives the audience time to receive and understand the message. The brain needs processing time and pausing gives the audience a break between thoughts.

Maximizing Clarity and Comprehension

 Pauses can also indicate transitions between ideas, allowing listeners to follow  the speaker's train of thought more easily. This signals to the audience that there is a new thought or topic about to be discussed.

Elevating Engagement and Connection

Strategic pauses play an important role in fostering engagement and connection with the audience. When used strategically pauses command attention, create anticipation, and build suspense, keeping listeners actively engaged throughout the communication process. Pauses can prompt questions from the listeners and establish a stronger connection with the audience. 

Increasing Persuasion and Influence

 Strategic pauses can be a powerful tool for changing attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors.
They can also underscore important arguments, highlight evidence, and enable listeners to feel emotions. By using strategic pauses, the speaker can create tension or suspense which will keep the audience on the edge of their seats. By using strategic pauses presenters can be more successful in persuading, shaping opinions, and driving action.

Mastering Strategic Pauses

To leverage the power of strategic pauses effectively, communicators must develop awareness, intentionality, and subtlety in their delivery. Here are some tips to consider:

1.     Engage in  Active Listening: Listen to a recording of your voice and look for places to insert strategic pauses for emphasis, clarity, or drama.

2.    Pause Intentionally: Introduce pauses at key points in your speech    to signal important messages segues, or changes in tone.

3.     Welcome Silence:  Most people are afraid of silence. Practice pausing longer than necessary to become accustomed to silence. Mark up your speech to visually anticipate the pauses. Pause one beat for a comma, two beats for a period and three beats to signal the end of a paragraph. Pausing will breathe life into your message.

4.     Read the Room: Be flexible with the use of pauses based on the content, audience, and purpose of your communication. Pausing too long could frustrate your audience.

5.     Solicit Feedback: Ask for feedback from colleagues, mentors and coaches to fine tune your use of strategic pauses and elevate your impact.

Conclusion

Strategic pauses are a powerful and underutilized speaking skill. Stop playing it safe in front of the room. Invite the audience on your speaking journey by inserting pauses into your presentation. The pay-off is greater clarity, engagement, persuasion, connection, and impact with your audience.  

In the words of Mark Twain, “The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause.”

To learn how to Speak Confidently and Effectively check out my LinkedIn learning course. It ranked in the Top 20 Most Popular courses for 2 years.

To learn techniques to overcome fear of speaking, read Chapter 3 of Knockout Presentations.

To work with me contact DiResta Communications, Inc.

4 Barriers to Presentation Brilliance

What causes a public speaker to fade in the background instead of lighting up a room? Each presenter has an opportunity to share their wisdom but often barriers get in the way of conveying their brilliance.

Are you afraid to step out of your comfort zone? There’s a saying, “The devil you know is better than the devil you don’t know”. Public speakers easily default to the familiar instead of trying something new. Sometimes it’s because they don’t know anything else or may be unaware that they need to improve.

It’s essential to understand that being uncomfortable is part of unearthing your brilliance. The goal is to be comfortable with being uncomfortable- to seek it out-to embrace it. Ask yourself, “How can I stretch?”

A major roadblock to stepping into a bigger version of yourself is the fear of humiliation. When I first wrote Knockout Presentations, I interviewed people and asked them the reason they feared public speaking. After analyzing the responses, a theme emerged. What most people dreaded was the fear of humiliation. That being the case, you can overcome this fear by

1. Anticipating a humiliating experience and preparing recovery strategies.

2. Reframe the mishap as a learning experience. It’s not humiliating unless you consider it so.

   While fear is the biggest barrier here are four common reasons that public speakers cast a shadow on their own presentation brilliance.

Failure to adapt. To be a master communicator you must be flexible. That means adapting to a different audience, a different company culture and especially last minute changes. Here is where we separate the novice from the pro. It’s not unusual to have your time cut by the manager or meeting planner. Would you know how to do it? The most common way presenters adapt is to speak faster. Or maybe the first speaker on the agenda used the exact examples you planned to use. Failure to adapt will take you out of brilliance and launch you into dullness.

Poor communication skills. There is no shortage of subject matter experts who have valuable insights and data but can’t communicate their message. The presenters may be disorganized. They may not define terms. More frequently, the presenters speak too fast or don’t articulate clearly and often go off message. If your audience is scratching their heads with confusion, they will tune you out.

Little or no audience connection. Are you a talking head? This is the presenter who is scripted and overly rehearsed. They sound unnatural and they talk at the audience. People don’t want to hear a lecture. Presentation brilliance is about the relationship with the audience. Talk to them in a conversational tone. Ask them a question and challenge them. Provide an exercise and tell them a story that is relatable. Create an experience. It’s about how you make them feel. Facts tell but stories sell. Without emotion they’ll probably forget most of what you say.

Insufficient technology skills. Like it or not, we all need to be proficient with technology. Have you ever seen an expert fumbling with equipment? What’s the experience of the slides not working? It’s easy to lose credibility as a public speaker when your technical skills don’t match your expertise. You don’t have to use technology in every presentation. If your story is compelling all you need is you. But remember YOU are the visual aid and the technology is about how you work the room and command the stage.

These four barriers don’t have to overshadow you. Master the skills of adaptability, communication, connection, and technology and let your presentation brilliance emerge.

To learn how to Speak Confidently and Effectively check out my LinkedIn learning course. It ranked in the Top 20 Most Popular courses for 2 years.

To learn techniques to overcome fear of speaking, read Chapter 3 of Knockout Presentations.

To work with me contact DiResta Communications, Inc.

Is Public Speaking Like Eating Peas?

When I was a child, I didn’t like eating peas. I would sit at the dinner table and push them around on my plate. Then, I’d spear one pea with my fork and gulp it down like bitter medicine. My grandfather observing this avoidance ritual suggested I mix my peas in my mashed potatoes so I wouldn’t taste them. It worked! I started mixing peas and mashed potatoes at dinner. I still didn’t like peas but he made them more palatable.

And this is the case for many people. They avoid public speaking because they don’t like it. I would have been okay if I didn’t have peas in my diet. But for professionals and leaders, avoiding public speaking is career suicide. Consider the second year law student I coached who was going to drop out of law school because she was afraid of speaking in class. After coaching her she learned to mix the right mindset with the right skill set. Imagine if she had dropped out of law school because of public speaking fear.

Today she’s a lawyer and giving effective presentations. She found the right mix.

Consider the middle manager who avoided speaking at meetings. Her throat would tighten up causing her to clam up and not participate. The quickest way to become invisible in an organization is by not participating. The effect is not having a voice in meetings. The common perception is if you remain silent you don’t know anything. This can result in forfeiting promotions and being overlooked for high visibility projects or leadership opportunities.  I coached her to reduce vocal tension. She learned how to work her mind and her body so that the words wouldn’t stick in her throat.

Today, she has a new job at a higher level. And she’s speaking with ease.

An entrepreneur was successful in her business and enjoyed being a podcast host. She confided in me that she would love to speak on large stages but because of an auditory processing problem she couldn’t give speeches. She was not able to remember the sequence of ideas and words no matter how many times she practiced. She had so much to offer an audience but had given up on ever being on a big stage. This disability was her peas. She needed to find the mashed potatoes to overcome the limitation. I convinced her that she could speak on large stages. She could share her ideas. But the medium would be different.  Instead of delivering a speech which would stress her out and leave her searching for words, she could give a fireside chat. By putting two chairs on the stage, the interviewer could ask her questions allowing her to tell her story, share her wisdom, and inspire the audience. She was brilliant in conversation and on podcasts. A fireside chat would not require memorization and would showcase her brilliance.

She was excited to find the right mix that would allow her to reach more people and change more lives.

Today I like sweet peas. I’ve acquired a taste for them but it took time. For some people, public speaking is an acquired taste. As they gain confidence and mastery, they begin to enjoy giving presentations. For others, they may never like speaking. But by combining the right mental attitude and skill set they can certainly make it more palatable.

To learn how to Speak Confidently and Effectively check out my LinkedIn learning course. It ranked #5 on the Top 20 Most Popular courses.

To learn techniques to overcome fear of speaking, read chapter 3 of Knockout Presentations.

To work with me contact DiResta Communications, Inc.

7 Tips When Speaking Internationally

September is International Speak Out Month. It reminded me of my International speaking experience and the important lessons I learned. Here are 7 tips to set you up for success when speaking internationally.

1.       Study the culture- Your presentation begins long before you step on a stage or begin to speak. How do people greet each other? In some European countries they kiss both cheeks. In Japan, the greeting is the bow. What is the tradition for gift giving? Are they a low context or high context culture? This will inform you about the level of formality that’s expected as well as how to treat authority.

2.       Meet the translator-Will you receive simultaneous translation or consecutive translation? If it’s the latter, you will need to pause after each sentence or two, while the interpreter translates. Where did the translator learn English? There’s a difference between British and American English. Be sure to define terms and explain your speech to the translator so that it is communicated with the right intent and clarity.

3.       Speak slowly-When you’re in a different country, YOU are the one with the accent. Even if it’s an English speaking audience they will probably need time to translate in their heads. Speaking slowly will allow the listeners time to process what you are saying.

4.       Manage body language-You can easily offend an audience before you even open your mouth. The same gesture can mean different things. The A-0k sign with the thumb and index finger touching with the 3 fingers extended is an obscenity in Brazil. Even the nod or shake of your head can have a different meaning. Practice with the gestures you’ll use in your speech with a native from the country where you’ll speak.

5.       Speak the Native Language-Nothing is more endearing and caring than to speak in the native tongue. When I spoke in Africa, I gave my greeting in Kiswahili-”Hello. I’m happy to be here” I was surprised when the audience broke into applause.

6.       Avoid humor-Humor rarely translates across cultures even if you’re a comedian.

7.       Learn their idioms- I leaned this the hard way when I was speaking to a British audience. I would use an innocuous term such as “on the job” and I would hear snickering. It meant something else in England. A sweater is called a jumper, gasoline is petrol, a truck is a lorry, a TV is a telly.

Mistakes will happen. But with a little research, planning and practice you can speak anywhere in the world and give knockout presentations.

My presentations, training , coaching and books are available virtually. It’s easy to find me to discuss your needs. Email diane@diresta.com. DM me at twitter @speakingpro. Or call: 917 803-8663