We’ve all been there – the job interview that didn’t go quite as planned, the terror of having to speak at an event, the panic of a video interview or delivering a speech at your best friend’s wedding and when it goes badly it can knock your confidence for six.
In the course of my work in broadcasting – TV, radio and podcasting, I’ve learned from my own mistakes ( lots of them! ) and I’ve also read a number of books on this topic because knowledge is power.
Not everyone will have to do public speaking media appearances or a Ted Talk, however, there are skills that you can learn that will bolster your confidence when it comes to communication.
Caroline Goyder is one of Britain’s top coaches she’s a voice presentation and public speaking expert. She’s specialised for nearly a decade and helping non-acting clients to perform with poise and power in real life whether they’re delivering a speech, anchoring a podcast, TV or radio show, impressing at an interview or chairing a board meeting.
Gravitas is the difference that makes all the difference when it comes to communication.
It’s the grounding force that gives you influence and authority and the lifting force that gives you passion and wit.
When you speak with gravitas you have the confidence to be entirely yourself and the power to command the trust and respect of others when you speak.
Caroline has also worked for 10 years as a voice coach and supports clients in business, politics and broadcast, she is regularly asked to comment in the media and you might have seen her on BBC Breakfast News or seen her work featured in The Times, Guardian and The Economist.
Her book Gravitas is split into two parts. Part one concentrates on the seven principles of gravitas – getting to know yourself building your inner strength and stability, and teaching people how to treat you by balancing status in connection so that others respect and like you.
She also helps you find your voice how to communicate with originality and clarity and shares insight into how to speak so that others will listen with impact, authority and power.
I first read this title many years ago before I hosted Tedex Glasgow and I recently re-visited it to brush up on my knowledge and skill set.
Caroline shares tips and techniques on how to win hearts and minds by inspiring engaging and influencing your audience. When it comes to keeping an open mind and level head, you can learn how to understand and be influential around tricky people. She will teach you how to get results.
In Part 2 it’s more of an action-based section where she focuses on content around presentations and talks, meetings, telephone calls, conferences, interviews, and pitches. And on camera.
There’s also a really helpful section at the back of the book with additional resources so that you can hone your presentation style in with further recommended resources.
Caroline worked for over a decade at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London as a voice coach.
She is the author of Gravitas: Communicate with Confidence, Influence and Authority (Ebury), Star Qualities (Macmillan) and Find your Voice (Vermilion).
Her 2014 TEDx on the Surprising Secret to Speaking with Confidence has been viewed over 8 million times.
Caroline speaks regularly at Henley Business School, School of Life and London Business Forum.
Clients have included news anchors and reporters, actors, CEOs of FTSE 100 and 250 companies, a monarch and TV magicians amongst others.
She’s worked with CNN, Adobe, Channel 4, Amazon and more. Read her testimonials here.
I’ve been following Caroline on LinkedIn and Twitter from many years and if you find that you do need to communicate with confidence influence and authority then this is the book for you. Caroline’s social media channels are also worth checking out.
