After I gave a training on pitching your work to clients, a graphic designer named Todd came up to me.
“Here’s my problem… When I’m presenting work concepts to clients, I get rattled. I feel like they’re judging me, and they think graphic design isn’t really that important. It’s arts and crafts. I up feeling like they’re the adults in the room, and I’m the kid who needs to prove myself.”
This is very relatable!
Here’s what I said to Todd, something that all of us need to be reminded of, in order to show up as authentically and effectively as possible….
Or if you’d rather read, here’s the blog version….
I said, “Todd, the fact that you refer to your work as ”arts and crafts” is really harsh and unfair. I bet you don’t really believe that either. Chances are someone gave you that impression, and you’ve been repeating it in your head.”
He nodded.
“Insecurities feel true because they feel FAMILIAR, not because they’re accurate. From my perspective Todd, you come across as a talented designer I’d be lucky to work with.”
“And you don’t seem like a child. I mean, you have a beard.”
We laughed and left it there.
Todd’s example reminds me that public speaking is not just sharing your knowledge, it’s being your genuine self as you do so. And you can’t fully show up in an authentic and effective way when you’re doubting yourself.
You have to practice thinking “What I do MATTERS, and my client / listener / audience doesn’t want me to FAIL — they want me to HELP.”
The more you can click into that perspective, and be kind to yourself, the more deep and powerful connections you’ll create and the more impact you’ll have.
Public speaking is an inside job.
Best,
Colin “1000+ Speeches But Still Learning” Ryan