The Role of Preparation in Public Speaking

After seeing me give a keynote last week in Seattle, a client asked me for my go-to stage prep tips—a question I get asked often this time of year. (Yes, even the most practiced public speakers still actively prepare for getting on stage. There’s no autopilot button for this!) Here’s what I shared with her: Physical Prep— >> Breathe: Diaphragmatic breathing. In through your nose, fill your belly, exhale slowly. It centers your body and gets your mind focused. (Also calms jitters). >> Posture: Stand tall. Feet shoulder-width apart. Chest open. Shoulders relaxed. Helps project confidence… and helps you physically own the space (think Executive Presence). >>Chew gum: Yes, really. Chew gum before you get up there. Releases tension, reduces dry mouth. (Just be sure to spit it out before you start speaking!). Mental Prep— >> Reframe nerves: Instead of “I’m nervous,” tell yourself “I’m excited.” That adrenaline? Let it FUEL you. >> Visualize success: Picture yourself delivering your message with confidence. Imagine the audience responding positively. Set the tone before you even start. >> It’s not about you: The key. Focus on them, not you. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about making a connection with the audience. Shift the spotlight to them in the first 20 seconds by asking a question or inviting them to move their body. You’ll get a second to catch your breath and actually take in the stage, lights, and audience at hand. One last thing? Thank the backstage crew for all their help. Because having a working mic and flattering lighting really matters—and you most definitely couldn't do that part without them.

Years ago, I had a new team member ask how I became so comfortable speaking in meetings, able to pivot when the conversation went in unexpected directions. The answer: Preparation. My meeting prep routine looks something like this: ✏ What do I need from this meeting/conversation? Goals, objectives (stated/unstated) ✏ What do I know/believe others need from this meeting/conversation? Goals, objectives (stated/unstated) ✏ What questions need to be asked/answered to achieve those objectives? That is, what do we already know & what information is missing. ✏ What concerns might be presented – and how will I respond? Use that EI to identify potential concerns, consider what is at the root of the concerns, and review what I know, what I can share. ✏ What is the most important information or decision to share during the interaction? Be ready to connect each person with the objective and confirm the ‘why’ is clear. ✏ What topics need to be avoided (and how will I respond when that topic comes up)? Prepare next steps to offer and clear, honest rationale. This routine works for me whether I’m leading or attending a meeting, too. Some meetings require more preparation, some less, but these questions are constantly humming in the back of my brain, so the routine has become both quick and efficient. (Also, every meeting should have an agenda with goals & objectives and a clear purpose for attendees. If it doesn’t, ask for one before you agree to attend!) If you have additional tips, I’d love to hear them! #culture #womeninleadership

I used to believe preparation led to confidence. If I wrote everything down and polished every sentence, I’d be ready. Then I stepped on stage and realized something was missing. People spend hours perfecting their words but overlook the most important part—how they deliver them. They fall into three common traps: • Writing a speech for the page instead of for the stage. • Rehearsing in their heads but never saying it out loud telling themself they don’t want to sound “overly rehearsed”.   • Walking into the moment cold, without warming up. The message may be clear, but if the delivery feels distant, it won’t land the way it could. Preparation isn’t complete by just knowing what to say. It’s about stepping into the moment ready to engage deeply with the audience, practicing out loud, and finding a natural rhythm that connects with people. That’s why I am rehearsing and rehearsing for my keynotes these days. Over and over! My intention is to show not explain my ideas. Small shifts in tone, pacing, or presence can transform how a message is received. When speakers focus on connection instead of perfection, people don’t just hear the words—they remember the experience. #PublicSpeaking #Keynote #Coaching #Mentoring #Training

The most validating moment yesterday? Hearing one of my toughest evaluators say: “Your presentation is really very impressive.” This is someone who never sugarcoats feedback. So when I heard that, I knew every hour of preparation had paid off. —————— There’s no shortcut to a well-executed presentation. Just time, practice, and intentional preparation. Before my proposal seminar: Over a month of work went into designing 60 slides! → I rehearsed each slide until I knew what came next—without even looking. → I practiced with peers multiple times → I presented to an empty room the day before ➣ same room ➣ same screen ➣ same podium ➣ same pointer. → It wasn’t about being perfect. → It was about being prepared. ✅ I visualized my delivery, my tone, and my timing. ✅ I anticipated the tough questions. ————————— There’s a reason elite athletes rehearse every move before game day. Presentations are no different. Because the truth is… → There is no shortcut to a flawless presentation. → Confidence is built, not improvised. → Preparation is the performance. → Every strong delivery is backed by hours of quiet practice. → Every confident presenter has already failed—in private. I’ll always choose over-prepared over underwhelming. Because the one thing that beats nerves, tech glitches, and tough crowds? Preparation. Every single time. ————— What’s your go-to strategy for presentation prep? Drop a tip below. #PresentationTips #PublicSpeaking #Preparation #AcademicSuccess #PhDLife #ProfessionalDevelopment