Jerry Seinfeld tells a joke about people having a greater fear of public speaking than death. So, he says, “Most people at a funeral would rather be in the casket than giving the eulogy.” If you fear public speaking, how can you conquer that fear? If you are comfortable speaking in public, how can you turn ordinary performances into heroic ones? These are some of the topics I discussed in a recent interview with New York Times bestselling author, Michael Port, on the Grow My Revenue Business Cast. Michael shared, “Unless you are just having an inner dialog, all speaking is public speaking.”
We discussed Michael’s latest book, Steal The Show, a book that I feel he was put on this earth to share. As a professional speaker myself, I would often offer advice to others about speaking. Now, when someone asks me a question about speaking, I refer them to Michael Port.
A common anxiety for many people is how to overcome the fear of messing up or saying the wrong thing in meetings or presentations. Michael suggests, “Anyone going after approval, rather than results is generally going to fall flat in the high stakes moments of their life.” To that end, Michael explains that most fear is centered on your fear of approval (or lack thereof). If you focus on how you are going to make an impact for your audience (that might only be an audience of one), you will instantly be less anxious. I’ve seen Michael work with speakers who are terrified to be on stage, and within twenty minutes have them delivering a quality performance.
During the Interview, Michael shares how to become an amazing public speaker, even if you aren’t a professional speaker. He also talks about how being “authentic” can drastically change how you speak with others. Michael uncovers how performers think of playing a role differently than others, and how you can tap into that secret to deliver better results in any conversation. He shares the biggest mistakes that people make when speaking, and the outdated advice many people get from others, and why those tips don’t work.
Michael explains that whether your speaking takes place in a job interview, a client meeting, a date, or a discussion with a friend or colleague, that there are specific steps you can take to have a memorable (and positive) impact for others.
Book Feedback
My only complaint about Michael’s new book is that I received the advance copy the day prior to a trip overseas. I generally sleep during long flights. I decided to read a chapter before going to sleep. Several hours later, I had finished the book, and didn’t get my sleep. I rarely read books cover-to-cover, and this one kept my attention. By the way, if you visit Michael’s website StealTheShow.com before his official book launch on October 6, you’ll receive additional bonus material.
It’s Your Turn
How comfortable are you with public speaking? Do you agree with the points in Michael’s interview? Share your thoughts on Twitter or LinkedIn.
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