Most people know me as your local neighborhood singing and acting coach, but did you know I’ve also done work coaching adults in their jobs as well as meeting personal goals?
Let’s face it, we’ve all been in a situation where we have to get up in front of a bunch of people and give a talk or present a new idea, all while trying to stay confident under intense pressure . Makes me think back to high school days, giving that report where all eyes were on you. You want to flee and just hide right?
It can be daunting and nerve wracking. Your hands get sweaty and suddenly all those thoughts go out the window and you’re left standing there feeling just lost and dare I say it, confused. Your frustration with yourself is evident and now you feel like no one takes you seriously.
Sound familiar?
One thing I’ve learned from years of singing and acting coaching is that confidence is not always something people naturally have — it’s often something they practice. Many of the same techniques performers use on stage can help professionals communicate more effectively in meetings, presentations, interviews, and even everyday conversations at work.
Voice tone and delivery also make a bigger impact than many people realize. A person may have great ideas, but if they rush through them quietly or sound unsure, the message can get lost. Projection, pacing, posture, and eye contact all help people feel more connected to both the speaker and the message.
In performance coaching, we spend a lot of time working on breath control and learning how to stay grounded under pressure. Those same skills can make a huge difference before a big meeting or presentation. Something as simple as taking a breath before responding to a question, slowing your pace, or focusing on a few strong points instead of overexplaining can immediately improve communication.
Some of the common mistakes I’ve seen are people don’t allocate their time correctly or they are trying to fit too much in rather than focusing on key points. Sometimes it just helps to have another set of eyes and ears to run those ideas by.
Over the years I’ve worked with people who simply wanted to feel more comfortable speaking in front of others, more organized in their thoughts, and more confident expressing themselves. The goal isn’t perfection. We’re all human and allowed to make mistakes. The goal is learning how to communicate in a way that feels calm, authentic, and confident.
Whether on stage, in a meeting, on a Zoom call, or in everyday life, people respond to confidence, clarity, and presence. And like any skill, those things can be developed with practice and guidance.
If you’d like to discuss, please reach out. Let’s talk and find a way to make a stressful situation easier and more enjoyable. We’re all human and allowed to make mistakes. Sometimes we just need a little help to grow both personally and professionally. You set the schedule. It can be as little time or as much as you feel needed.
I look forward to helping people become calmer, more confident and in control again.
Kendra Willouer is an NTxConnect business member and professional voice, singing, and acting coach based at The Commons. Through her coaching work, she helps individuals build confidence in communication, presentation delivery, and personal expression. Learn more at Kendrawillouer.com.