• What is your goal?
• Who are you communicating with?
• What is important to them? What are they afraid of?
• What can you ask them to do to get you closer to your goal?
• What’s in it for them to do it? (Tie in with what’s important to them or help them avoid what they are afraid of.)
• How can you serve?
• Build that understanding into a 2-3 sentence Core Message that becomes your point, the seed.
• Plant that seed: Visualize – Tell a Story – Support – Repeat, repeat, repeat.

• In through the nose, deep into the belly (work that diaphragm!), and out through the mouth. Do this standing or sitting up straight with eyes closed, both feet flat on the floor, hands resting lightly on knees.
• Breathe in for a shorter time than you breathe out. (Box breathing: in to count of 4, hold for count of 4, out to count of 4, hold for count of four).
• A practice of 7-10 deep breaths, once a day helps reduce baseline stress and raises your awareness of your ability to bring on the relaxation response. That will make those single deep breaths, when you need them in the moment, more effective.

• Speech starts when the first audience member sees you. Be aware of your attitude/how you are coming across from the minute you enter the room (the elevator, the parking lot…).
• Introduce yourself, chat, get to know audience members ahead of time.
• You are a host. Welcome your guests, help them feel at home with the setting, each other, the topic, even in discussion. This will also give you a role to focus on and more control.

• Own the room like it’s your living room.
• Confidence comes from message, practice and experience. Do these things.
• Smile your greeting / introduction.
• Eye contact: Make it. It tells you a lot, but careful about assuming.
• Body language: Is yours communicating your meaning or something else (stress)? A centering deep breath gets you back in sync.
• Sound: Breath for vocal support and the sound of authority. Check and practice with your equipment. Facial stretches keep you sounding clear and looking young. Tongue twisters (red leather yellow leather, unique New York) develop precision and clarity.
• Control: Plan and attend to your time. Manage interruptions in terms of time.
• Emotions: Return to core message if you get hijacked. Remember that you can either win an argument or resolve it, but not both. Lead with empathy when delivering bad news.
• Practice – practice – practice.