The thing people ask for, but already have...

There is one thing that people seem to seek more than anything else when wanting to develop their public speaking:

Confidence.

Normally there's something in the conversations we have about not having enough confidence or not being ready.

And so that's what they ask for.

This elusive thing which always seems out of reach.

Maybe they're right.

Maybe you can't actually speak without that confidence.

Maybe using your voice is all about being ready to do so.

Or not.

If any of us waited for the time to be ready we would never get anything done.

Sometimes - often perhaps - we need to do something before we're ready or before we feel we are confident enough.

In fact I would say if your bumhole isn't twitching like a rabbit's nose at least a little bit, then you are probably playing it too safe. 

I do wonder though whether it's actually not confidence that people are looking for.

I wonder if it’s belief?

Support?

Or even permission?

I'm quite lucky that I get to share the things that are important to me in the way that I do.

But I know that other people are not that lucky and there are groups which are heard from less because of bigger things outside of their control.

The work I do is really cool, because I get to speak with people and hear their stories and remind them of how powerful their words are.

I then get to support them on that journey and even give them the permission to go out there and use their voice.

Once they do that, the belief can kick in.

There is a caveat here though - I'm simply them what's already there.

Things which they struggle to see.

Things which they need to be reminded of.

I know that I've not been ready for many things and having the eyes, ears and hands of somebody else to guide and support me has been essential.

I still remember the words from one of my mentors about seeing the greatness in me before I could.

It’s nice to have someone in your corner.

The work I do now allows me to pass that on.

You don’t need confidence to speak.

But you might need someone to support you.