Why Public Speaking Is the Ultimate Life Hack

“Public speaking is like life” - a phrase you might’ve heard before, and at first glance, it sounds like just another cliché.

But when you dig deeper, you realize there’s truth in it - an insight that goes beyond the usual metaphors about life being a journey or a destination.

Many people approach life as a quest for purpose

They either focus on the destination they’re striving toward or the journey they’re experiencing along the way.

But for me, life - and public speaking - holds a different meaning.

At its core, life is about the people we meet, the relationships we form, and the connections we nurture. It’s about what we give to others and what they give to us in return.

Public speaking profoundly mirrors this idea.

I'm not talking about "best practice" principles here

While it’s easy to talk about building relationships with your audience as a “best practice,” I think it goes deeper.

Public speaking, like life, is about how we bring our words and ideas to life for the people in front of us. It’s about creating a genuine connection between what we’re saying and who we’re saying it to.

Of course, many speakers use storytelling and all the other well-known techniques to build this connection. But at its heart, the impact of public speaking comes down to resonance - the emotional and intellectual harmony between the speaker, the message, and the audience.

When we focus on fostering that connection, on making it intentional and meaningful, it transforms the experience for both the speaker and the audience.

A little practical example of that resonance

I was working 121 with a client who had recently attended my three-day public speaking retreat. During our rehearsal session, we were refining his presentation for an upcoming talk.

We worked on everything: his content, his slides, and even the practicalities of his delivery.

But something shifted when I made a simple suggestion: “What if you replaced some of these big words with more ordinary, conversational ones?”

As soon as he tried it, he came alive. His body language changed - he stood taller, gestured naturally, and moved with purpose. His voice became more animated, his tone more authentic.

He was connecting with his message - and, by extension, with his future audience. That one small adjustment unlocked a new level of resonance.

This moment reinforced a belief I’ve held for years:

Just as life gains meaning through our relationships, public speaking becomes impactful through genuine connection.

When we stand in front of an audience and truly engage - with our message, our delivery - what we say carries more weight. It resonates more deeply.

In both life and public speaking, this connection doesn’t happen by accident. It takes effort, focus, and intention. But when we prioritise it - when we actively use the "right words" in the "right way" they form a gateway to relationships and building that resonance - it’s life-changing ??.

Life feels richer, and our words have the power to move people in ways that matter.

So, as you navigate life day-to-day and stand before your next audience, remember this: it’s not just about the journey or the destination.

It’s about the connections you make along the way (or in the room).