“There are only two types of speakers in the world.
The nervous and
Liars.”
— Mark Twain
Let me take you behind the scenes of one of my most humbling leadership moments.
I was sitting on set for a morning TV show, about to share a coaching framework I’d been teaching for years.
This was a dream moment—lights, cameras, a warm and curious host—and I was ready.
Until I wasn’t.
As she leaned in and asked about my go-to method, my mind went completely blank.
I froze. My brain pulled the emergency brake.
The framework I could teach in my sleep? Gone.
And then—bless her—the host held up her notecard and gently said,
“Are you maybe referring to this…?”
Yep. I was.
That was the day I learned:
Public speaking isn’t about being polished. It’s about being present.
Great Leaders Don’t Perform—They Connect
We’ve all been there:
- You overprepare to the point of losing your authentic voice.
- You wing it and feel like you failed.
- You rush through because you’re nervous.
- You criticize every sentence in your head and miss the moment unfolding in front of you.
And here’s the truth: if you’re leading a team, company, or vision—you’re a public speaker, whether you realize it or not.
Speaking isn’t a stage skill. It’s a leadership strategy.
You’re not just communicating.
You’re enrolling people into your vision.
That’s why the best leaders I know don’t just learn to speak—they learn to tell stories.
Why Storytelling Is Your Leadership Superpower
Your slides won’t move people. Your story will.
In our executive coaching work, I teach leaders a simple and powerful tool for message clarity and impact. It’s called:
The 5 P’s of Storytelling
- Purpose – Why are you speaking? What’s your intention?
- Place – Where were you? What was happening? Let us feel it.
- Peak – What was the moment of tension, realization, or transformation?
- Pledge – What did you learn or commit to because of it?
- Pitch – What do you want your audience to do, feel, or believe as a result?
This framework is simple, powerful, and unforgettable. Just like the message you want to deliver.
The Most Common Speaking Mistakes Leaders Make
- Over-rehearsing to the point of robotic delivery
- Winging it and rambling
- Hiding behind data instead of anchoring in story
- Forgetting that connection matters more than perfection
When that happens, you don’t just lose your audience—you lose your impact.
But the beauty of speaking is that every moment—even the missteps—are opportunities for growth.
If You’re a Vision-Led Leader, This Is Your Next Move
Whether it’s the all-hands meeting, the client pitch, or the keynote—your words shape your culture.
Your presence sets the tone.
And your story? It invites people in.
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be real.
Leadership Prompt
What story could you share this week to help your team feel what you see?
Growth Edge
What truth are you holding back because you’re afraid you won’t say it “just right”?
Quote to Anchor You
“People will forget what you said, they’ll forget what you did, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou
Ready to Amplify Your Voice?
I’m currently booking my workshop, The Art of Public Speaking for Executives, for leadership teams, corporate events, and offsites.
It’s designed to help your leaders:
- Communicate with clarity
- Speak with executive presence
- Use story to inspire and enroll
DM me to book, or click HERE to connect.
Let’s turn your voice into your most powerful leadership tool.
