Use This Proven Approach To Become A Great Public Speaker with Dr Kate Cashman

How did you feel the last time you had to get up and speak in public?

More and more change leaders are required to speak up.  

We all know how important visible executive sponsorship is to the success of any change program.  And these days being visible means speaking at town halls, in all kinds of team meetings, on video, on stage at conferences, sometimes even to the media, and briefing Ministers and executive boards.

If you find the idea of public speaking even a little bit intimidating, or you’d like to improve the way you deliver a message, this episode of The New Way podcast is for you.

Today my guest is Dr Kate Cashman.  Kate is a multi-award-winning and internationally certified public speaking and leadership coach, consultant, educator and keynote speaker.  She helps leaders transform their relationship with public speaking.

This ep is packed with practical nuggets.  You’ll discover:

  • The key concept we all need to bring to our public speaking

  • The biggest myths about being a good speaker

  • How to deliver a great message that really lands

  • EXACTLY how to deal with nerves

This was such a value-packed conversation.  I’m adding the techniques Kate shares to my own toolkit, and I know you’ll want to as well.

Listen in now!


TOPICS DISCUSSED AND WHERE TO FIND THEM:

[2:39]: Kate recently ran a masterclass at #TeamEVER and everybody loved it. 

[3:17]: Visible executive sponsorship is a very important part of change success. 

[4:34]: Public speaking is a very common fear. It surrounds our preoccupation with what people think of us and how we are seen. 

[7:04]: Public speaking is not about ‘us’, it’s about our audience. What do they need to know and hear from you? You absolutely don’t need to be perfect. The shift away from centring on ‘us’ is a great first step to changing the fear. 

[8:22]: Rather than focusing on feeling confident, start by feeling courageous. In order to develop confidence, you have to do it over and over so you need courage. 

[9:51]: People reward courage and courage enables us to develop confidence. 

[10:43]: Our brain is wired to stop us from doing things out of our comfort zone to keep us safe. 

[12:18]: Kate shares her Soulful Speaking Method. There is a 3 step process: 

#1 Mindset 

#2 Meaning

#3 Method

The mindset is around how we feel about public speaking, the meaning is about us as humans and how we deserve to be speaking, and the method is the presentation. 

[14:29]: Kate discusses the common stories when it comes to public speaking. The great public speakers around the world aren’t perfect - it’s how we connect to our audience that matters.

[16:22]: Becoming a great speaker starts with our mindset. Once we shift some of those embedded stories, we give ourselves permission to be courageous. 

[16:43]: Recognise that it is just a story that you’re telling yourself. Find a role model, an affirmation, or a helpful encouraging productive (HEP) thought that will get you to open your mouth and start speaking. 

[19:10]: Every time you need to step up as a speaker, tell yourself you don’t have to be the guru, you can be a contributor. 

[21:10]: Kate shares her tips to make sure you’re delivering a great message. 

#1 Think about who your audience is. 

#2 When you’re presenting to an audience, there needs to be an element of storytelling. 

#3 Our audience will only take away the Golden Thread. 

[24:40]: To help with nerves: 

  • Pay attention to the way your body feels and create a different state. 

  • Move your body to get nervous energy out of your body (Kate loves star jumps!). 

  • If you’re nervous about your voice, do vocal warm-ups. 

  • Look at your audience and find someone to connect to who is nodding their head and engaged. 

  • Put a pause in your presentation. 

  • Ground your feet. 

  • Don’t make judgements around how you’re moving your hands. 

  • Nerves don’t mean anything more than a natural starting point. 

[27:51]: Your nerves don’t mean you’re terrible, they just mean what you’re doing is important and you care about being there. 

[28:36]: Where to find and connect with Kate.

RELEVANT EPISODES: 

CONNECT WITH DR KATE CASHMAN:

Website: https://www.katecashman.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_katecashman.com_/ 

LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/katecashmancoaching

CONNECT WITH ME:

Website: https://www.everchange.com.au/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ever-change-and-communication

Kate Byrne