The Problem
“Keith, I have to speak in front of 600 people – help!“
That was the cry for hep I got from Judi.
Anyone who knows Judi these days will know she is ace at speaking with audiences large and small, but back then, the thought of speaking in front of those 600 people was nerve-racking for her, to say the least.
There were two issues here.
First was that she was speaking in Germany, and would be simultaneously translated into French and German. This meant having to speak a little more slowly than usual. The problem being, when she felt nervous, like most of us Judi would speed up even more – and then get nervous about speaking so far, and speed up again!
The other problem was a touch of good-old Imposter Syndrome – what right did she have to be speaking there? Why was she chosen? All the usual things so many of us feel. She wanted to conquer that Imposter Syndrome, whilst still remaining humble (rather than becoming conceited and big headed as some people sometimes do to overcompensate).
The Solution
So we had a couple of sessions to address both problems. We got together over Zoom, had a lot of fun, and by the end of it Judi was ready to go and deliver her talk.
Which she did very well. She found herself enjoying the experience, and did such a great job that she was asked to do other talks, and, well, she hasn’t stopped since!
She is now a very confident and accomplished speaker, very well known and liked in networking circles, and enjoying every minute of it.
In Her Own Words
I’m Judi otherwise known as Judicorn, and I contacted Keith because I was going to be on stage in front of over 600 people and I was really, really scared about public speaking – for those of you who know me know that I don’t actually have a problem at all, but back then I was really worried.
What was happening was I was actually going to Germany and I was being translated into German and French and I had to speak slowly.
Now, what happens with me is when I get excited, I speak really, really fast and I knew everyone wouldn’t be able to keep up with me. So with Keith’s help, he managed to help me slow down.
Also, I was suffering slightly from imposter syndrome – why was I chosen to be on stage – and he helped me cover that. But one of the things that I really, really wanted was to not suffer from imposter syndrome, but also still have the humility about me, sort of like not think “Ooh my God, I am amazing.” but just to think “Actually I’m okay”.
And Keith has managed to do that as well
Now, it literally took two sessions with The Amazing Man that is Keith Blakemore-Noble because he knows his stuff.
He is absolutely fabulous.
So if you have problems about speaking in public, please, please speak to him. He knows this stuff. He really helped me loads. And now you can’t shut me up – even if you want to.
Thanks Keith!
No, seriously, I said that the other day, I went “He is the man who made the monster from me – hahaha!”
If You Want To Make Change…
If there’s something holding you back, something you want to change or get rid of once and for all, maybe we should have a chat?
Who knows, maybe soon others will be inspired by reading your story here!
