17 Truths That Will Unlock Your Public Speaking Greatness
Nineteen years, four months and seventeen days ago I said yes.
One month later I was sitting on stage in the main auditorium of VISA International’s global headquarters in Foster City California. Five-hundred VISA employees and a massive camera — broadcasting the event live to the VISA world — stared back at me. Seated with me was an Executive Vice President in charge of…who the hell cares.
I was terrified! Why had I said yes to hosting this one-hour event!?
Fast forward one stress-filled hour. I did hold it together and even managed to enjoy a few moments. The Executive Vice President thanked me for being so well prepared. I was elated, exhausted, and curious.
Why had I felt the need to spend so much time preparing and why had I still been so nervous?
That curiosity started me on a quest to seek out the truths that great public speakers live by — and share them with others.
Since that stress filled hour long ago I’ve crafted and delivered over 500 speeches, talks, and presentations and talked to loads of people about the art and science of communication.
Here are 17 simple — and sometimes harsh — truths.
