True reflections

Are you tired of putting on a mask?

It’s natural when we’re in front of an audience, right?

We feel anxious. Exposed.

We cast around for things to hide behind.

Like slides bursting with knowledge.

Or a façade of professional seriousness.

(Because, after all, we want to be taken seriously.)

Or things to escape through.

(The first time I spoke in public I seriously considered climbing out the nearest window.)

What if we removed all those barriers - and stood there as ourselves?

Present. Engaged. Connected.

Sharing our stories. Cultural references… a smile.

For your next presentation, I invite you to remove your metaphorical mask, and ask yourself:

Is this a true reflection of who I am?