Finding a voice for an incredible story

Keynote design and coaching

When this client first called me, she had been asked to give a keynote speech at a national industry conference. She is an accomplished senior leader with deep expertise in her field, but not a completely confident public speaker. The thought of standing on stage in front of hundreds of peers filled her with horror…

She had an incredible story to tell, but it was hidden beneath formal language and a heavy deck of slides. My role was to help her find her voice, shape her story and bring her message to life, and to coach her through the process so she could enjoy it rather than endure it.

What we did together

We began by focusing on the audience. What did they need to feel, understand and remember? Once we were clear on that, we built the talk like a story rather than a report. Together we found a simple structure with a clear emotional thread so her message would be heard and felt.

Our coaching sessions mixed gentle challenge with practical rehearsal. We worked on timing, pace and tone, using storytelling techniques and behavioural science to manage attention and memory so her key messages would stay with the audience long after she left the stage.

Between sessions she practised short sections at work to build confidence. Before the event we did a final run through, focusing on rhythm, breath and connection with the audience. 

The keynote was a success because it was real. I continue to coach her, and each new keynote has stretched her further, from a national stage to a regional conference and now she is speaking on a global platform. 

Torchbearing takeaways

1. Speak to connect, not to perform.
The best talks are not about creating an experience for your audience. When you focus on how you want people to feel, your messages will be memorable.

2. Tell stories to bring your messages to life.
Facts make sense, but stories make meaning. They help your audience see.