There have been so many times I’ve heard clients tell me, “I’m not a speaker.”

Yet they’ve delivered keynotes and been paid thousands of dollars to do so.

They’re invited to speak at conferences.

They’ve taught classes and workshops for years.

They give presentations at work.

What’s going on? Why do they resist calling themselves a speaker?

Why do we hesitate to claim the identity as a speaker and thought leader?

I’m struggling with this right now, except it’s not about claiming my identity as a speaker, but as a book writer.

There are a few things going on, which I talk about in this episode, along with what you can do to feel more comfortable claiming this identity for yourself and the reasons to do so.

Want to develop your speaking skills and confidence? Enroll in our NEW live online workshop = https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/speaking-workshop/ . Be sure to listen to the episode to get the special coupon code to save $100 just for podcast listeners.

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/391/

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

Book mentioned “Atomic Habits”: https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break-ebook/dp/B07D23CFGR/

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 371: What to Include in Your Speaker Video Reel and Speaker Page
• Episode 285: 4 Speaker Archetypes: Learn Your Natural Style and Amplify It
• Episode 257: Writing a Book Gives Your Ideas Depth and Longevity with Tiffany Hawk

Are you the kind of speaker who loves to have everything prepared in advance? Perhaps you even have your entire presentation scripted out nearly word for word and you have detailed notes for every slide that you rely on?

Well, I have a challenge for you: getting more comfortable with impromptu speaking.

As a speaker and as a leader, both impromptu and prepared speaking skills are a must.

Have you ever had one of these situations happen to you:

You're in a meeting or group and asked to share something on the spot. You get really nervous and feel at a loss for words.

You're at a networking event where you need to concisely share with other attendees who you are, what you do, and how you help people. After you introduce yourself, you realized you left out the most important parts or it all felt like a jumble.

You're leading a meeting where you need to motivate your team, but you didn't have an opportunity to prepare your message ahead of time and feel like you weren't as clear or confident as you want to be.

This is why developing your impromptu speaking skills is essential.

I want more women - including you! - to feel comfortable and confident commanding a room and leading teams, organizations, and companies.

In this episode, I share:

• Why impromptu speaking is hard
• Why it matters to your development as a speaker and leader
• Specific things you can do to get better at impromptu speaking
• Some of my own impromptu speaking wins and fails!

Want to develop your impromptu speaking skills and confidence? Enroll in our NEW live online workshop = https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/speaking-workshop/ . Be sure to listen to the episode to get the special coupon code to save $100 just for podcast listeners.

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/390/

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 382: 3 Signs You're Stuck in the Expert Trap with Your Public Speaking
• Episode 370: Overcome Speaking Nerves & Anxiety: How to Develop Confidence on Stage
• Episode 379: How to Develop Stage Presence and Build Confidence as a Speaker
• Episode 347: The Power of REAL Practice to Transform Yourself as a Speaker

We're continuing the series we've been doing this month all around inspiring you to use your voice, no matter what your topic or your industry.

If you've been listening to this podcast for a while, you know that I've been really excited about artificial intelligence and ChatGPT and all of the ways AI can help us both personally and professionally.

For this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Denise Musselwhite, a technology maven with a rich background in IT and a heart set on women's empowerment in tech.

Here's why you absolutely can't miss this episode:

• Discover Denise's Unique Journey: From growing up in her father's repair shop to becoming one of the few Latina CIOs, Denise shares her inspiring journey into the tech world, highlighting the blend of nature, nurture, and curiosity that fueled her career.
• AI as a Force for Good: We delve deep into the realm of Artificial Intelligence, exploring its potential as a collaborative partner in our professional lives. Denise opens up about her personal projects, including the "Kindness Beacon," and how AI can be harnessed to empower women and underrepresented professionals in technology.
• Leadership and the Leap into Entrepreneurship: Denise talks about her transition from a high-powered tech role to founding Tech and Thrive, sharing insights on the challenges and joys of nurturing leadership within the tech industry, especially for women.
• The Ethical and Inclusive Future of AI: We tackle the critical discussions surrounding AI, from ethical considerations to ensuring women's voices are integral in shaping the future of technology.
• Mentorship, Inclusion, and Empowerment: Denise emphasizes the importance of mentorship, the role of women in technology organizations, and how she's working to create more inclusive spaces in the tech world.

Denise's story is a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and the crucial role of women in shaping the future of tech.

Join us as we explore the intersection of technology and empowerment, and get inspired to harness AI in your professional journey.

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/389/

Denise’s website: http://techandthrive.me/

AI Resources: https://techthrive.me/techai

The Kindness Beacon GPT (requires a paid subscription to ChatGPT4): techthrive.me/kindness

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Denise Musselwhite (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/musselwhited/

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 375: How to Use AI to Amplify Your Superpowers and Prepare You to Show Up Anywhere with Stacey Hines
• Episode 313: How to Thrive in the Age of A.I.