It seems like everybody I talk to lately is saying, “I can’t believe it's March already!”
I feel the same way.
March has several celebrations in the United States.
It’s National Women’s History Month.
It’s “March Madness,” In my view, the best, most exciting part of the college basketball season to crown the National Champions!
March 20th is the 1st day of Spring!
And, in early March, movie lovers --- LOVE the Academy Awards. The Oscars. Since 1929, the Oscars have “recognized excellence in cinematic achievements.” I’ve been a fan of Oscar night since high school. I love it all ---the elegance, the outrageousness, the dancing, the intros by all those famous people.
In high school, after The Oscars ended, I went up to my bedroom, stood in front of my full-length mirror and gave my acceptance speech! Meanwhile, I was never in the theatre and never on stage. But I loved the idea of acting like I was accepting an award for something I’d worked hard on. “Thank you Mom & Dad …”
Anyway, do you know what baffles me about The Oscars? When a winner seems
unprepared. When their name is announced they act stunned and walk up on stage and say something like, "I...I…I honestly don't know what to say!"
No acceptance speech? How is that possible? There are only five nominations in each category. So those people have a pretty darn good chance of winning. One in five. Great odds.
I always expect them to say something profound or heartwarming or funny. They’re actors. They’re getting an Oscar. But when they’re not prepared, they babble and ramble. And tell some story, until the "wrap-up" music starts. And then they rush to tell all the people, “Thank you,” who helped them make the film, who we don’t even know.
As my mother says, “Without notes, we wander.”
Do you want to speak with confidence? Don’t Wing It. Whether you're presenting a PowerPoint, pitching a proposal, facing a finalist meeting, giving a speech, introducing a speaker, or recognizing a team's success, or thanking guests at your birthday party or Farewell Celebration, you need to prepare.
Put your words on paper. Edit. polish. And refine them —ruthlessly. Then Practice. In front of a mirror. In front of a kind, but candid, crowd. It’s better to stumble in rehearsal than to flop in the finale.
Being able to stand up and speak up is critical to leveling up your executive presence and your career. Practice will help you get there. And when you do, that builds confidence.
Thanks for reading.
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