Have you ever been coached on how to give a speech, or improve your leadership communication style by someone who tells you “just breathe” and “use that nervousness”? Or been told that to ascend the career ladder, you need to gain some gravitas and/or embrace your executive presence? This is all good advice. But it also tells you what to do without telling you how to do it. Which can lead to confusion, or worse—feelings of inadequacy—when you realize you don’t exactly know how to do something that sounds so simple when someone else says it.
Fortunately, there are those of us who have taken a deeper look at the processes involved in implementing that good advice. We can help you understand what is happening physiologically when you speak—or in some cases, just think about speaking. What happens to your body and mind when you walk into a room and all eyes turn to you, expectantly. Why your voice shakes, your words come faster, your thinking gets fuzzy…. all that good stuff! And we can give you tools to fix these problems, not just put bandaids on them for the time being. We teach you which tools can best serve you in a given situation, then show you how they work and how to fix them when they get dull or otherwise damaged.
Some of my readers know that earlier in my life I toured the country performing a one-woman show I wrote based on the life of Charlotte Perkins Gilman. After performances I’d often have discussions with the audience about Gilman, the play, and occasionally what it was like to tour a solo performer piece. One question I got a lot was “How can you remember all those lines?” And I’d go for the laugh: “How do you know I do?”
All joking aside, I only had myself to rely on. So I needed to develop a completely reliable technique which involved not only deeply connecting to the inner life of the character, but also having the physical and mental stamina, flexibility, and expressiveness to share that life onstage. Everywhere. Every time.
The truth is the process of memorization is integral to what an actor does. There are many things actors do that seem difficult—maybe even magical—to non-actors. But they are the result of training, of learning why you do what you do and how to do it. And practicing every chance you get.
If you want to become a dynamic, compelling speaker or to look/sound more like a leader, I have good news: You can accomplish this by learning to use just a few of the tools actors must master. The better news is that I can help you put together your own unique toolbox. And teach you to use these tools wisely. So you’ll know how.
