What do you do if you want to become a strong public speaker and leader?

As a Keynote Speaker, here's my approach to public speaking: 1) Embrace the Spotlight Most people dread being the center of attention. But what if the spotlight wasn't scary, but a magical circle that empowers you? Before a speech, I take a deep breath, step into an imaginary spotlight, and project confidence. This "power pose" floods me with a sense of control and charisma. 2) The Audience is my Co-Pilot We often forget the audience is there to hear something valuable. Instead of seeing them as judges, I see them as co-pilots on a journey of discovery. Before I speak, I picture myself having a conversation with a friendly face in the audience, calming my nerves and fostering human connection in the process.

Vocal Foundations Pronunciation Pause Pace Projection Pitch Body Language Makes up most of your communication. Open gestures, confident stance and appropriate facial expressions all play a part. Psychology Visualisation and Breathing techniques help centre yourself. Revisit past speaking experiences and how they made you feel. Structure Hook in your opening CTA to close Stories littered in between. Master these basics and you’re off to a winning start

First things first, know your audience. Understanding who you're talking to is super important. Figure out what your audience cares about and what they already know. This helps you tailor your message to them. Next, make sure you connect with your audience. Talk to them like you're having a conversation with a friend. Ask questions, and get them involved. This makes your speech more interesting and fun for everyone. Remember, being a good speaker and leader isn't just about talking. It's about making a connection with the people you're speaking to. So, do your homework, engage with your audience, and you'll be on your way to becoming a strong public speaker and leader.

Frankly, there is no shortcut nor magic formula to building self-confidence. You MUST INVEST TIME to PRACTISE a hundred times, if that's what it takes! No wonder, they say, PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT. You may stutter, stammer or at a loss for words or feel like you have a lump in your throat each time you speak in public. But if you inculcate the GOOD HABIT of PRACTISING HARD ENOUGH (OVER & OVER AGAIN) + RESILIENCE in wanting so badly to build your self-confidence, bouncing back each time you fail, you WILL SUCCEED. The reason WHY people don't pick up enough self-confidence is because they are so worried about what the audience thinks of their delivery. So, TRAIN YOUR MIND to focus on your topic & you will surely do well in public speaking.

You WILL copy other people first. But when you’ve mastered the basics you’ll find your own voice and style. A musician begins learning by doing covers. Then they write bad songs. Then they write good songs. Then they get a hit. You may think you’re good but you can ALWAYS be better.

To become a strong public speaker and leader, invest in continuous learning and practice to refine communication skills and build confidence. Seek mentorship and constructive feedback to identify areas for growth and improvement. Embrace opportunities for public speaking, cultivating authenticity and empathy to inspire and influence others effectively.

Have fun. People take this too seriously. And in many cases it is. Job interviews, Ted Talks, Investment meetings. But they learning and playing is a lot of fun. Why not enjoy the journey?