Stirred not Shaken

Most multilingual speakers feel a self conscious speaking in a second or third language and with good reason. Research has confirmed that when speaking in a different language our personality actually changes, which can feel awkward even when our language skills are excellent. When communication feels awkward we’re not at our best, we don’t feel fully connected to ourselves, our knowledge or our audience.

In other words, we’re not fully present.

It’s that presence piece that’s so important for many of my clients and often forms the tipping point between managing as they are and seeking help. It often comes when stepping into a new leadership role, because you can’t build leadership presence when you’re not fully present.

Before leadership, most people can get through a presentation and manage their symptoms, whether it's trembling hands, palpitations, blushing or just exhaustion. But in leadership it becomes apparent that just managing to get through the presentation is no longer enough.

You need to be able to not only give the presentation, but actually feel present, grounded and connected to your knowledge and your audience at the same time. It’s no longer just about surviving the presentation, it’s about shining as a leader.

It’s about developing your own unique leadership persona that your team and the senior stakeholders not only trust, and respect but follow.

To do this you need to be able to manage yourself, so you can stay calm, and grounded under pressure, access the knowledge you already have and stand strong in your own identity. You need to master the art of being stirred not shaken.

You need to be able to communicate all of who you are and what you know with clarity and confidence rather than rushing to finish or speaking to the dominant individual in the room.

My new stirred not shaken program 'Leadership Presence Blueprint' is designed to help you achieve exactly that.

It’s designed to not only help you communicate in a second or third language, but do so with confidence and presence without putting on an act.

It’s a deeper dive with me over 6 months rather than a the lighter touch I offer in packages of 3, 6 or 9 sessions. But before I launch it, I’m looking for some feedback to test the concept and make sure the programme addresses the challenges that matter most.

So, I’m asking for your support. I’m looking for a few people to talk me through what they’re struggling with, what would truly help in their situation, and what would not. I’m looking for feedback on whether what I’ve put together is really what’s needed.

So, if you’re interested in helping me out and if you recognize yourself in one of the traits listed below I’d be delighted to have that conversation.

Drop me a message if you’re interested in taking part and you’ll not only be the first to hear about it, you’ll also get a special discounted rate when it does launch.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Recognize yourself in one or more of these traits?

🔸 Despite having B2 English language skills on paper you shrink when you have to speak up in groups of more than 3 people.

🔸 You over-prepare for presentations only to go blank or feel disconnected with your audience because you’re too busy memorizing scripts and holding yourself together.

🔸 You have an almost constant stream of negative self talk in your head about how you could have expressed something better and spend days after a presentation or conversation critiquing everything that you believe you said wrong.

🔸 You hold back in meetings because your heart is beating so loud in your chest at the thought of all eyes being on you, that you wonder if you actually will have a heart attack one day.

🔸 When you’re asked your opinion in a meeting you feel under pressure to answer quickly and therefore don’t answer as fully as you could if you allowed yourself time to process the question and your thoughts in multiple languages.

🔸 You experience symptoms such as tremors in your hands, arms or legs, nausea, tension, shortness of breath, dizziness etc before high pressure meetings where you might have to speak up in English or another foreign language.

🔸 You feel exhausted after meetings and networking events where you have to 'perform confidence'

🔸 You’ve taken additional language & presentations training which has helped you speak with more confidence within the training room but hasn’t made a difference to how you feel and perform under pressure.

🔸 You follow countless influencers with performing arts degrees on YouTube, FaceBook, Instagram & TikTok on tips and trick to speak with more confidence but it just feels fake to you.

🔸 You’d like to feel more confident and be more present, without feeling like you’re putting on an act.