Public Speaking: How Leaders Communicate Under Pressure

Episode notes

Learn how to communicate with confidence under pressure, ditch the over-reliance on scripts, and develop the mindset that separates competent speakers from genuinely compelling ones. Most leaders who struggle with presentations are not short on content. They are short on the right mindset. Ian Stringer, award-winning broadcaster, BBC Radio Leicester football commentator, and event host with over 20 years of experience, makes the case that getting your head right matters more than any technical skill.​The instinct to write a detailed script feels safe, but it creates a false sense of security. When the words go wrong, so does everything else. Ian's advice: know your subject well enough to put the script down. Clarity of message, word economy, and the ability to read your audience will carry you further than any prepared text.​ Whether you are presenting a policy change, hosting a team meeting, or speaking on an all-staff call for the first time, the principles are the same: define what success looks like before you start, embrace the learning curve, and back yourself.