This past week, I had the pleasure of speaking with an incredible group at the Greenwich Library. I shared powerful strategies that we can all use to become more confident and compelling speakers.

Here are two simple but effective exercises you can start using today:

1. Embrace the Power of the Pause
When you pause while speaking, you give your audience, whether it’s three people or 300 a moment to absorb your message. Pausing adds weight to your words and enhances your presence allowing for deeper connection.

2. Prepare with Purpose
Whether you're presenting to a handful of colleagues or a crowd of thousands, preparation is essential. When you're well-prepared, you feel more at ease, speak with greater confidence, and stay grounded throughout your presentation. Be sure to know how you'll open and close; these are the bookends that leave a lasting impression.

If you’re looking to strengthen your public speaking skills, for yourself or your team...I’d love to help.