Great Speakers Get Comfortable By Being Uncomfortable
by Christine Clapp, Founder & President
I recently started going to physical therapy to overcome a nagging case of plantar fasciitis. To address the pain in my heel, the therapist asked if I wanted to incorporate dry needling into my treatment plan. The procedure, where needles are inserted in the skin of the foot, ankle, and calf, then stimulated with a mild electric pulse, isn’t pleasant. But, neither is a lingering case of plantar fasciitis. I said I was willing to undergo dry needling and commented, “I’ve run 10 marathons and given birth to two children. I’m comfortable being uncomfortable.” Being comfortable with being uncomfortable is required to be a great public speaker too.
Presenters must get comfortable being uncomfortable by:
Sharing difficult content.
This means telling personal stories that require vulnerability, providing honest feedback to a colleague, or sharing to organization leaders that a project is behind schedule.
Bucking speaking norms.
This means starting your presentation with a catchy hook (instead of opening with: “Good morning, my name is . . . “), using visual slides or even no presentation aids at all (instead of reading off text-laden slides).
Using an outline.
This means that you do not write a word-for-word script and instead craft a well-researched and strategically organized outline that you practice until it is fluid (usually around six times).
Rehearsing out loud.
This means saying your presentation aloud from your outline before you feel ready and continuing even when the content is rocky or some phrasing is awkward.
Reviewing video.
This means that you use a phone, tablet, or videoconference platform to record a rehearsal and then watch it to identify elements of your delivery that can be polished.
Soliciting feedback.
This means inviting comments from audience members via an evaluation form, online survey, written or verbal feedback, or other means to understand how your presentation impacted listeners.
Getting rejected.
This means volunteering for speaking roles and submitting proposals to speak at conferences and other venues, and regularly getting “no” for an answer.
Trying again.
This means reviewing feedback, reflecting, and making adjustments before submitting the next speaking proposal after you get rejected or taking the stage after a speech that doesn’t resonate with listeners.
All these practices will be uncomfortable initially and will become easier with time and experience. The key, then, to continuing to improve as public speaker is to continue to stay uncomfortable.
There are endless ways to up the ante and get uncomfortable again as a speaker:
Speak on a new topic
Speak to a new audience
Speak in a new situation (conference, event, meeting, showcase, competition, etc.)
Speak in a new format (TED style, PechaKucha, Ignite, spoken word, etc.)
Speak with a new audience engagement technique or technology
And, no matter how you decide to get comfortable being uncomfortable as a public speaker, at least there won't be needles involved!
For support getting comfortable with being uncomfortable, you can learn more about our one-on-one coaching approaches and our diverse team of expert coaches. Book a time with us to share your speaking goals and discuss which coaching options and coaches can help you achieve them.
