“Oh man, if I could only speak like him!”
–Jan McDonald
A couple of years ago, I co-led a presentation called Presentations: Connection With Your Audience. My co-presenter was incredibly charismatic. He moved all over the stage and had a completely different presentation style than I did. I had seen him speak before and I thought to myself, “I’m not like him at all. How can I present with more pizazz like him? Will they even want to hear me after he speaks? “
And then I caught myself. Wait a minute. I’m me. In fact, I realized it might be good for the audience to see two very different presentation styles—and see that both could be effective.
And they were. The presentation was a hit!
I wish I could tell you I never struggle with comparing myself to other speakers anymore. I do. The difference is that now I recognize it sooner and change the conversation I’m having with myself.
I don’t need to speak like them. I need to be me. I have something valuable to bring, too. That positive self-talk matters.
That experience taught me something I’ve never forgotten: You don’t have to become someone else to connect with an audience. Learn from great speakers. Try new techniques. Stretch yourself. But don’t lose you in the process.
Your stories. Your personality. Your humor. Your way of connecting. That’s what makes your message yours.
Your audience needs you…just as you are!
That’s one of the things we’ll talk about in Mastering Your Message—becoming a better communicator without becoming somebody else.
Still learning,
Jan
Jan McDonald
Maxwell Leadership Certified Team
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