“How do I establish credibility, how do I demonstrate my experience, without sounding arrogant?”

I’m easily asked this question at least 5 times a week.

We like to think that ‘our experience and expertise speaks for itself’, but that’s not always (often) the case.

In this episode I talk about why it’s important to tell your ‘brag stories’ in a way that establishes credibility so people WANT to listen to you, without sounding like a twat. I also share HOW to do this in a way that people want to know more.

Listen in to hear:

• Why it’s PERFECTLY normal to struggle with talking about yourself, let alone ‘talking yourself up’
• Why you NEED to talk yourself up in order to showcase how you can be of greater service
• Why your work DOESN’T speak for itself (even if it should) and how you can draw attention to your work
• How ‘brag bag stories’ can change how others perceive you, as well as how you perceive yourself
• Why, if it’s true, ‘it ain’t bragging’
• How to overcome cultural barriers to ‘bragging’
• How ‘bragging’ can actually help you serve more people

Other episodes mentioned in this episode

7 - Overcoming Why Me - How I manage imposter syndrome

33 - an extended episode, a Speaking with Impact workshop I ran which dives deep into how to ‘brag’ without sounding arrogant

Also mentioned in this episode, The Impact Club where like-minded, impact-orientated leaders are supported to make their dent in the universe.

“Cat, I recently FROZE, completely froze, when the MC introduced me to talk. I was prepared, I knew my topic, but my nerves got the better of me and I froze. How do I NOT freeze next time?”

That’s the conversation that has sparked this episode, and I’m recounting the advice I gave in a recent group call.

Freezing on stage is a ‘normal’ response - it’s part of the nervous system’s fight, flight or freeze response.

If you’ve ever frozen when asked a question, or about to present, or you fear you might, listen in to hear:

• My simple nervous system regulation techniques for calming your nerves

• How to engage in a useful and compassionate conversation with your internal dialogue (that is screaming at you when you’re nervous)

• Why experiencing the freeze response is NOT a reason to never speak up again

• How having a standard start to your presentation can help ‘jump-start’ you, even if you do freeze

Even if you’re an introvert, if you don’t like ‘all the attention’ or you’re happy ‘being in the background’, sometimes it’s important to step into the spotlight. Whether that’s on a stage or, more often than not, simply ‘speaking up’ in a meeting, in a community conversation or for your business.

As humble leaders we often ‘fall back into the shadows’ even though we have a contribution we want to make.

In this episode I share why we feel such resistance to ‘speaking up’ and how to overcome it. I also share why I think it’s SO important, for you, and for your community, that you DO step into the spotlight.

This episode is a bit of a stream of consciousness piece … after preparing a 90 minute workshop for a conference that got cancelled thanks to tropical cyclone Alfred, I had too many ideas circling my mind … I felt they needed to be shared, at least in top-level provocation form.

Listen in to hear:

• Why we need more people ‘stepping into the spotlight’
• How societal and evolutionary conditioning can increase our resistance to speaking up
• The two biggest benefits to speaking up (and they’re possibly not what you think)
• How to meaningfully show up for the meetings you’re a part of
• How, and why, even the shyest of introverts and humblest of leaders, can speak up and contribute

Other episodes mentioned

Episode 4 - Imposter Syndrome, and How I Overcome It

Episode 48 - The Cost of Meetings ‘On The Fly’ (particularly relevant for public servants and corporate contributors who can find themselves in endless back-to-back meetings)

SpeakEASY Practise Session - want a safe space to practice your speaking and get free coaching while you’re at it? Join us for the next FREE SpeakEASY Practise Session - register here

Got a question? Want to share how you're going to step into the spotlight? Comment below or find me on Instagram

In this episode of Speaking with Confidence, I’m answering another community question,

How do I bring everything I know, together?

This is a question I’ve grappled with myself, because I didn’t want to ‘lose’ the opportunity to influence someone by NOT sharing the relevant information. Using the storytelling canvas, I can connect with both long term influence outcomes as well as short-term, micro conversations.

Listen in to hear

• You don't need to share everything you know.
• How to focus on the audience's needs and problems.
• Use storytelling to illustrate your expertise.
• How to use the Storytelling Canvas to plan your information
• Why strategically thinking about long-term influence is just as important as preparing for one presentation.
• Why inferring knowledge can be more impactful than listing it.
• How to plan for long-term influence, not just immediate impact.

To download the storytelling canvas, click here.

To ask me a question, connect with me on instagram, here (or ask on Spotify, below)

Book your FREE Confidence Boosting Curiosity Call here

In this episode of Speaking with Confidence I’m answering a community question:

How do I write a speech? Where do I even start?

It’s an excellent question and in this short episode I talk you through my step-by-step process for writing ANY kind of speech.

Listen in to hear:

• Why the starting point of any good speech is actually the end
• How to limit your speech to just a handful of key messages
• Why I’m a massive fan of ‘no script speeches’
• How to use just a few sticky notes instead of a full, scripted speech
• And what the most important part of your speech is (spoiler, it’s your connection to your audience, not your words)

Other episodes mentioned:

6 -Beginning with the End in Mind

25 -The Power of Key Messages

74 -Frame Your Thinking

Curious about working with me? If you’d like to know more about working with me, AND, get personalised guidance on what your next steps might be, book in for aConfidence Boosting Curiosity Call

In this episode of Speaking with Confidence I’m answering a community question:

How do I show up more naturally and not in ‘presentation mode’? And, how do I allow the passion I feel about my business and my work shine through?”

I love this question, because I’m all about authenticity - in a world of AI generated content, AUTHENTICITY is what will help you stand out and connect with your audience.

Listen in to hear

Other episodes mentioned

60 - Authenticity, Misery P*rn & Stories of Happiness

100 - The Power of Stories in Driving Community Impact

Curious about working with me?

If you’d like to know more about working with me, AND, get personalised guidance on what your next steps might be, book in for a Confidence Boosting Curiosity Call

Want a FREE Confidence Coaching Call and work out loud with me in a podcast episode? ⁠Click here⁠ to book a time.

Want to ask a question?

Do so on

Instagram

LinkedIn

In my Facebook Group

In this episode of Speaking with Confidence I’m answering a question from my community:

“How do I stop talking so fast when talking to someone in person?”

Talking fast isn’t always a bad thing, but when you’re nervous, anxious or trying to say ‘all the things’ in a limited amount of time we can talk too fast and drown our listeners in all the words.

Listen in to hear

Other episodes mentioned:

11 - How to overcome your nerves once and for all

74 - The Powerful Frame Your Thinking Method

Curious about working with me? If you’d like to know more about working with me, AND, get personalised guidance on what your next steps might be, book in for a Confidence Boosting Curiosity Call

Want to ask a question?

Do so on 

Instagram

LinkedIn

In my Speaking with Confidence Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/speakingconfidence

In this episode of 'Speaking with Confidence' I’m sharing my top tips to effectively host and show up in online meetings. We all spend a LOT of our time in meetings and now, a lot of those meetings are online or hybrid (ugh!).

How do we effectively connect, engage and facilitate engaging online meetings that don’t suck!

Listen in to hear:

To get your FREE 30 minute Confident Communication Coaching session (that will be used in a future podcast episode), ⁠click here⁠ to book a time.

Confidence Boosting Curiosity Call - Want to build your speaking confidence but not sure where to start? Book in for a ⁠Confidence Boosting Curiosity Call⁠. We’ll have a 20 minute chat and I’ll give you tips, specific to you, on what your best next steps are.

Liked this episode? It would rock my world if you rated it, followed or shared it.

In this week’s Speaking with Confidence episode I’m answering a listener question,

“If a speaking opportunity comes up, what is the best way to pitch yourself?”

Conference speaking is one of the most powerful ways to reach new audiences, share your expertise and boost your profile. Whether you’re a business owner, a public servant or a corporate leader, speaking can have a fabulous impact on your career.

But most people I talk to think they need to be experienced public speakers before they can pitch themselves … or they need to be more qualified in their area of expertise.

Not so.

Listen in to hear

SpeakEASY Practise Session - join us for a friendly, safe and fun practise session - you can practise whatever you want. Friday 24 January, 2025. Register here

Confidence Boosting Curiosity Call - Want to build your speaking confidence but not sure where to start? Book in for a Confidence Boosting Curiosity Call. We’ll have a 20 minute chat and I’ll give you tips, specific to you, on what your best next steps are.

How do I have my listener understand even the most complex of concepts? How can I stop overwhelming my audience with all.the.things?

They're the questions I'm answering in this week's episode of Speaking with Confidence - a coaching podcast for business owners, public servants, corporate hippies and humble leaders who want to speak with greater impact.

In this episode

To get your FREE 30 minute Confident Communication Coaching session (that will be used in a future podcast episode), click here to book a time.

If you'd like a FREE 20 minute Confidence Boosting Curiosity Call, click here