Are You Confident or Not So Confident?

What do you imagine a confident speaker looks like?

If you watch some of the most viewed Ted Ed talks you are sure to see some of the most confident speakers. For example, Sir Ken Robinson speaking in a calm, authoritative, yet humours way, about creativity and schools. Perhaps Tim Urban who gives an energetic, fun performance and uses great visuals to talk about procrastination.

However, you will also see people who are as brave as can be. Who look afraid and even sound nervous. Who don’t have showmanship and yet show up. Who stumble on their words, but every word was said knowing that it would help someone in the audience and was said with intention.

That, my friend, could be you. Showing up and speaking up in spite of your lack of skill or confidence.

I’ll let you into a secret today: I’m not the bravest person in the world. I tend to hide behind being an introvert. I always say how much I love silence and being alone. But that doesn’t mean there is nothing going on in my head and that I have nothing to share. I’ve had to dig deep and move from my comfortable, quiet place to one where I show up and speak up.

My life’s goal is that I will have a good, positive impact on the people around me. I want to know that the world is a better place because I lived here. I know that my silence would be a disservice to the world and all those beautiful things that make our planet so wonderful.

What is it that motivates you? What’s in your heart? Consider, what do you want your legacy to be?

I don’t claim to know everything about public speaking but what I can absolutely guarantee is that confidence comes when you take action.

So, what does confidence in public speaking entail? It’s about embracing vulnerability, acknowledging your nerves, and channeling them into a source of strength. It’s about knowing your material inside and out, but also being open to spontaneity and connection with your audience. It’s about standing tall, speaking with conviction, and letting your passion illuminate the room.

Take action, my friend.