October has been brilliant, as you can see from the title, I created memories in Munich this month as I travelled there from the UK to Germany for a speaking engagement. It was my first time to visit Germany, as although I landed in Frankfurt in 2018 it was only for a connecting flight, which I don’t think really counts as a visit. Therefore, the invitation to Munich was a very exciting opportunity to visit somewhere new.
When I mentioned to someone about the trip to Munich, they asked if I spoke German, and whilst I did
study German at school, I definitely do not know enough to deliver a presentation, thankfully the company’s business language is English. The business world is global, and if we are only experienced at working with teams and clients based in the country we reside, the thought of working more internationally may seem a little bit daunting at first, however taking steps out of our comfort zones is incredibly important for growth.
Speaking on Speaking is an absolute passion of mine, and creating a bespoke presentation with the intention of adding values to professionals was very energising. The title was ‘Public Speaking for Greater Impact and Influence’. I was asked a few times if I was nervous about speaking in Germany, and I was not overly nervous because of the mind-set and attitude of service. From that place the focus is on serving others, whether it’s a client, team or in this case, audience they become most important. Therefore, the focus is not on me, and how I ‘perform’ but actually on what they receive. That is not to say we do not prepare fully and ensure we are confident, capable and ready to deliver with excellence, but we do not prioritise our thoughts and feelings, as such elevate feelings on nervousness and anxiety.
The whole trip was successful, from the flight to the hotel to actually delivering at the event. There was very positive feedback from the attendees following the presentation, and also with the one to one conversations I had. On reflection I was so glad I accepted the invitation to deliver a keynote speech following a LinkedIn message, because I knew it was a good fit. You could say I had been preparing for years for this type of opportunity. I often talk about the importance of being ready before you need to be ready, and this is the reason why. We never know who will observe us from afar, and reach out to potentially collaborate.
Public Speaking is still one of the most feared activities in the world, and yet as professionals we know how instrumental this is for delivering presentations, speeches, pitching and facilitating meetings. My belief is that public speaking is a skill that can be improved and also an art that can be developed. I love this facet of the work that I do, as training and coaching public speaking often brings tremendous transformation in individuals. A few years ago when I added images and words about public speaking onto my vision board, I had no idea that this aspect of my business would take me to Germany, but it did. I really believe this is a big win for Q4 in 2024, and I am excited for what lies ahead in 2025.
I will leave you with a reminder that any feelings of self-doubt and nerves when embarking on projects
and opportunities are normal, and may just be because they are new, not because you are incapable. Growth is a process and not guaranteed to be pain free, but the possibilities are far more exciting, than to let temporary feelings hinder you. If you are interested in becoming a more confident and established public speaker, I would love to support your journey, do get in contact today and let’s plan a call. Have a great week.
Francesca McDowall, October 2024