Your BODY is presenting, not your mind

When the Crowdstrike crisis happened, everyone was talking about the dangers of giving third-party software developers kernel access. What’s a kernel? Here’s a simple definition from Wikipedia: “The kernel is a computer program at the core of a computer's operating system and generally has complete control over everything in the system.”

Do we want to ignore or mistreat anything that has complete control over any system? Uh, no.?

There’s a lesson here for communicators. Your body is your kernel when you are communicating. Your actual physical body. Your body, which houses your brain, which controls the chemicals and hormones that govern your behavior, has much more control over you than you might realize.?

When you step out onto a stage, sit down for a tough media interview, or stand to welcome everyone to your board meeting, is your voice weak? Are you suddenly sweating? Thirsty? Is your mind racing? That’s your body and brain trying to exert control over you in a situation they deem threatening.?

Let me stretch this metaphor even more. Your mind is the application layer. You have business objectives, you have clarity on your message, you have confidence in your conclusions. You know that if you can persuasively deliver your message you’ll win.?

But the application layer can do nothing without the kernel’s support and cooperation. If the kernel says no, the application layer is helpless.?

So what do you do? How can you get your body and brain (your kernel) and your mind (your application layer), working in concert to deliver an amazing presentation? You must look after your kernel. Here are a few ideas:?

1. If you get super nervous when it's time to present, recognize that your kernel is voting NO. You need to teach your body and brain that speaking is safe. You do this by speaking, even in tiny forums. The more time you spend speaking, the more data you give your kernel that you are safe.?
2. When it's time to present, focus on calming your body. Breathing exercises are super powerful. Small rituals that you repeat before every presentation can help. Embracing nervousness as fuel that will help you deliver well can also make a huge difference.?
3. Make sure your body is comfortable. Don’t be over or under-caffeinated, stay hydrated, make sure you’ve had time to sleep, that you’ve eaten the right food/fuel to help you stay energized. Wear clothes that make you feel confident and comfortable. A kernel that feels cozy is much more cooperative than one that is jet-lagged and cranky.?

If you want to be a high-performing communicator, start at the kernel level!?

RESOURCES? “Box breathing” is one of the best and most accessible ways to calm the kernel. You can do it anywhere!