Michelle Gladieux (HHS’93 MS T’95) | President | Gladieux Consulting

An executive coaching client recently asked me, “How do you make public speaking look so easy?”

The truth is, if I’m making it look easy, that’s an optical illusion. Public speaking is a lifelong, value-add pursuit. We all want our ideas heard and put to use. Practice and feedback in as many settings as possible raises your comfort level.

Remind yourself: it’s not about you. You’re a medium for the message.

While you must manage first impressions, it ideally becomes irrelevant whether you’re old or young, tall or short, female or male. Excellent presenters overcome stereotypes. If Jedi Master Yoda from Star Wars showed up to speak at a meeting, you’d listen and learn. You’d quickly forget that he’s almost 900 years old, two feet tall — and green! — as your heart and mind were drawn in.

All of us are intimidated by an audience at some point. You are no more or less valuable than any human in the room. You’re no better — so don’t speak as if you are.

On the other hand, you’re not lesser — so don’t fear the opportunity. Prepare for it. Audience analysis is critical. What are the skills and demographics of your audience? How educated are they about your topic? What constraints might you encounter? What do you have in common?

Sometimes, I hear a presenter announce that they’re nervous, and I cringe. I completely understand the impulse to confess, but the result is an uncomfortable audience.

Bottom line: Find passion for the topic or find someone else to present.