It’s still true that one of the most immobilizing fears people have is public speaking. Yet, many of us desire to have an irresistible stage presence so that we can share our message effectively. Robyn Hatcher is a woman with an incredible story. She went from being a shy child, to actor, to powerful public speaker who’s spending her life training others to overcome the fear of public speaking to get their message into the world. On this episode, Robyn and I talk about how she was extremely shy as a child, how the pain it brought to her life served her as a turning point, and how she got into acting and has used it to build a successful speaker training business.
Why is public speaking such a threatening thing to most people?
Are you one of those who is nervous and afraid at the thought of public speaking? You’re not alone. Public speaking is one of the only contexts in our society where one person is the object of attention and focus for many others, all at the same time. It’s a vulnerable position to be in. That kind of “on stage” situation brings out our survival instinct and we feel fear and apprehension as a result. Robyn has made it her mission to help people overcome their fear of speaking, and more importantly, she wants to teach you how to speak with an irresistible stage presence that powerfully communicates your message. You can hear Robyn’s tips on this episode of Next Fem.
Speakers can learn to reframe their nervousness into a positive thing
One of the things that I’ve experienced as a speaker is that no matter how many times I speak, I always find myself nervous and a bit afraid just before I go on stage. In this conversation, I asked Robyn how I can get past those feelings of nervousness and she surprised me with her answer. She said that I shouldn’t try to overcome that feeling but instead, I should reframe it to serve me as I speak. Once she explained it to me, the lights went on. You can hear what she means by reframing the nerves by listening to this episode.
The best ways to engage an audience are also the most threatening
We all enjoy presentations that engage us on a deep level. It’s fun, exciting, impacting, and sometimes life-changing to be on the receiving end. Those kinds of presentations don’t happen by accident. The speaker’s stage presence isn’t necessarily natural or unrehearsed. There’s a lot of intention that goes into it and on this episode, Robyn teaches us the 3 key elements to creating a truly engaging presentation: vulnerability, telling your story, and emotion. Find out the secret to engaging presentations by listening.
How apologetic language empties your presentations of their power
In this conversation, Robyn points out that women are naturally nurturers and caretakers. It’s a beautiful thing about the way we are wired. But sometimes, particularly in speaking or making presentations, those positive qualities can work against us. Instead of presenting powerfully with authority, we may unknowingly use apologetic or qualifying language, words like these: perhaps – sort-of – maybe – sometimes. Find out how you can rid your presentations of weak language that diminishes your stage presence and softens the impact of what you have to share, on this episode of NextFem.
Episode Highlights
- 1:55 – How being a shy child taught Robyn lessons about communication
- 5:57 – The turning point from shyness to a new approach to life, through acting
- 12:35 – Why are people so afraid of public speaking?
- 15:35 – Advice for those who want their nervousness about speaking to go away
- 18:36 – What are actor types? How do they fit into becoming a better speaker?
- 30:01 – Here is the best way to engage an audience: be vulnerable, tell your story, use emotion
- 34:32 – The 3 Bs for creating a congruent presentation and style
- 39:17 – Specific challenges for women when it comes to public speaking
- 47:35 – What’s the best way to deal with speaking approaches that don’t work?
Resources Mentioned
- Robyn Hatcher’s website, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube
- Robyn’s book: Standing Ovation Presentations
- The DISC assessment
1. Favorite book for women?
2. Favorite self-care hack?
- Meditation and Zumba. Robyn loves to dance and how it works to keep her sane.
4. Female CEO or thought leader you’re into right now?
5. One piece of advice you’d give your 5 years younger self?
- “Focus on your finances.”
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