152 - The Problem With Shortcuts Like AI and Templates
It’s really tempting to use shortcuts like AI or templates when crafting a presentation; but if you’re not careful they’ll trip you up more than they help.In this episode of Speaking with Confidence I’m sharing the ‘colour-by-numbers’ mistake I see many people make when using a template, or AI, and how to overcome that.Listen in to hear:The ‘secret’ to effective presentationsWhy your unique experience, and style, is your greatest asset when presenting (even if you’re quiet, nervous or humble)How templates and AI can not only rob you of your authenticity, but they can also trip you up and make you present worse than without themHow you CAN use shortcuts like AI and templates effectively, without losing your unique voice or storyWhy it’s not about delivering ‘perfection’, it’s about taking your audience on a journeyJoin me for my upcoming Speaking with Impact workshop series. Over 3 short, fun and highly interactive sessions, you’ll discover how to collect your thoughts and speak with authority, confidence, authenticity and impact, even if you ramble, lose your words or freeze when all eyes are on you! It starts Tuesday June 10 - register here.
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151 - How To Talk About Myself Without Sounding Too Braggy
How do you showcase your awesomeness without sounding like an arrogant twat? Well, that’s exactly what I’m answering in today’s episode!Most humble leaders I know DON’T like talking about themselves, and they hope ‘their work will speak for itself’.However, we often don’t have time for our work to speak for itself, and we need to be a little more overt in letting people know how we can contribute.In this episode I share a powerful strategy for talking about yourself without sounding like a w*nker.Listen in to hear:Why your self-promotion is actually a service to othersHow you can use factual stories from your life to demonstrate your fabulousnessHow dropping ‘brag bag’ stories into your conversations will showcase your experience and expertise in a way that doesn’t feel uncomfortableHow you can find your brag bag storiesWant to join the SpeakEASY Elevator Pitch Practise Session? It’s happening Thursday 22 May - register here.Learn how to speak with confidence and impact, EVERY time, even if you ramble, lose your words or freeze when all eyes are on you. My 3 part Speaking with Impact workshop series starts Tuesday 10 June. Register here.
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150 - How To Speak Up Even When I’m Scared
It’s REALLY hard to speak up when you’re scared or nervous; worried about looking like an idiot or being rejected.Yet we need to, right? Because, chances are, you’re listening to this podcast because you are fearful of speaking in public (whatever that looks like to you) and therefore, it follows, you need to speak up even when you’re scared (or never speaking up at all …. Which, in my opinion, is just not ok).So in this episode of Speaking with Confidence I’m sharing some practical tips on how to speak up even when you’re scared. Not tips for waiting until you’re no longer scared. Not waiting until you’re a confident, polished, fabulous speaker, but speaking up NOW, even when you’re scared.Listen in to hear:Practical nervous system calming techniques (the ones I use regularly)How to confront and untangle your fearful internal dialogue so you can move past itHow I’ve moved through significant fears of my own, like a fear of heights, and how those experiences can help you with your fear of speaking upOther episodes mentioned (that will help with your fear of public speaking):The Top 3 Speaking Fears, and How To Overcome Them - ep 92Interview with Kate Toon - Building The Confidence To Not Be Liked - ep 97Want the opportunity to practise speaking up EVEN IF you’re scared, in a safe and supportive environment?Join me for my upcoming SpeakEASY Practise Session where we’ll practise our Elevator Pitches. You get to practise in a space that is supportive, you’ll get some feedback and ideas to make your elevator pitch even better and you’ll take another step in your speakers’ journey.It’s happening Thursday 22 May at 12.30 AEST - register here (it’s free)
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149 - How To Be Heard In Meetings
We’ve all been there. In a meeting, we have ideas we want to contribute, and we just can’t make ourselves heard.Whether it’s dominating personalities in the room, people interrupting, whether it’s deliberate or just unthinking, it can be REALLY tough to make ourselves heard.In this episode I share some ideas (from lived experience) of how to be heard without getting defensive.Listen in to hear:How to use agreement frames to build on, rather than being seen to disagree, with what’s being saidHow to not get defensive or aggressive at constant interruptionsWhy it’s not as bad as you think to have someone else ‘claim’ your idea after it was dismissed when YOU suggested itWhy you want to leave your ego at the doorHow you can be heard EVEN IF you are the quiet one in the roomAlso mentioned in the episodeThe Cost of Meetings On The Fly - ep 48Getting Cut Through With Complex Messages - ep 31How To Get A Meeting Back On Track - ep 41Join the SpeakEASY Practise Session on Elevator Pitches here.Chat to me on instagram.Or leave a comment below 🙂
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148 - How to Speak Clearly & Confidently Under Pressure
“I’m fine in normal conversation, but as soon as all eyes are on me, I just lose my confidence, and my words”If I had a dollar for every time a podcast listener said this to me!When we’re in a pressure situation - we need to win the pitch, present a dissenting opinion - when the stakes are high, it can be difficult to stay cool and calm, let alone speak clearly and confidently. In this episode of Speaking with Confidence I share my top tips for speaking clearly, and confidently under pressure.Listen in to hear:The mistake we tend to make in pressure situations, and the easy fixWhat you need to prioritise, message wise, when you’re feeling the heatHow to take the pressure down (hello John Farnham!) in those situationsSome simple tricks to manage your mindset when you’re feeling the pressureWhat to focus on in the conversation so you can be articulate, confident and impactOther Speaking with Confidence episodes mentioned:How To Pitch With Impact, ep 52The Long Game of Influence and the Importance of Micro Conversations, ep 65Speaking of pressure ;-)Want to practise your Elevator Pitch so that’s NOT such a pressure environment?Join me on Thursday 22 May, 12.30 AEST for my FREE SpeakEASY Practise Session, focussing entirely on Elevator Pitches. You’ll have the opportunity to practise yours and get some feedback in a space where there are NO consequences.Register here.
About Speaking with Confidence with Cat Matson: communication coaching for humble leaders
If you ramble, lose your words or struggle to make yourself heard, this podcast is for you. This show is for humble leaders - public servants, corporate hippies & business owners - who want to speak up and be heard without sounding pushy or arrogant.
I’m Cat Matson and I coach people to speak with authenticity and impact in ALL settings. Whether you want to lead your team better, host webinars, speak impactfully when put on the spot or start speaking on stage, this podcast will teach you how to collect your thoughts and confidently communicate with humility, authenticity, authority and impact.
Listen to Speaking with Confidence with Cat Matson: communication coaching for humble leaders, 6 Minute English and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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