Diane DiResta is the CEO of DiResta Communications, Inc., a consultancy serving business leaders who deliver high-stakes presentations. As a certified speaking coach and communications professional, she coaches executives to be influential public speakers and delivers keynote speeches, seminars, and workshops to train teams in effective communication and leadership skills. Diane is also the author of Knockout Presentations and has been featured on CNN and quoted in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- [3:14] Diane DiResta’s inspiration and writing process for her book Knockout Presentations
- [8:22] How to overcome the fear of public speaking
- [12:01] The YAM formula for public speaking
- [15:07] Diane shares how her military upbringing shaped her personal and professional journey
- [20:42] Avoiding “wimpy words” to speak with confidence and conviction
- [24:58] Tips for navigating Q&A sessions during speaking events
- [30:45] How Diane leads like a woman
In this episode...
Although it may seem far-fetched, 78% of people would rather die than speak on stage. This is especially true for women, who often overanalyze their public personas. Yet public speaking is crucial for leaders who want to make an impact. How can you overcome your fears to deliver confident speeches?
Master presenter Diane DiResta maintains that since the presentation is for the audience’s benefit, to be nervous is to be self-centered. Instead, shift your perspective to create an informative and memorable experience for your listeners. Delivering powerful speeches requires understanding yourself, your audience, and your message without relying on memorization or using passive phrases such as “like” or “I think.”
In today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Diane DiResta, the CEO of DiResta Communications, joins Andrea Heuston to discuss how to communicate with confidence and intention. Diane talks about her military upbringing, how she leads like a woman, and the dos and don’ts of Q&A sessions.
Resources Mentioned in this episode:
Quotable Moments:
- “To be a leader with influence, you have to be a knockout presenter.”
- “If you’re extremely nervous, you’re being self-centered; get over yourself because it’s not about you, it’s about the audience.”
- “Gifted speakers are born, but effective speakers are made.”
- “Don’t memorize your speech; familiarize and be conversational.”
- “People don’t realize your audience is nervous too. They’re thinking, ‘Who is she? Do I like her? Can I trust her? What’s in it for me?'”
Action Steps:
- Shift the focus from self to audience: Remind yourself the presentation is for the audience’s benefit, not a performance review for yourself. This mindset helps relieve self-imposed pressure.
- Prepare for Q&A in advance: Identify potential questions and strategize responses to ensure you aren’t caught off-guard, promoting confidence and authority.
- Avoid “wimpy words”: Practice using strong, decisive language to convey your message with authority and boost your credibility.
- Apply the ‘YAM formula’: Understand yourself, your audience, and your message to create a tailored and effective presentation strategy.
- Close Q&A sessions powerfully: Finish with a succinct summary or a thought-provoking statement to ensure your message remains memorable and authoritative.
Sponsor for this episode…
This episode is brought to you by Artitudes Design by Andrea Heuston. Artitudes Design is an award-winning creative agency that has been creating visual communication for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. They have worked with notable companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Expedia, and have also served startups and nonprofit organizations.
They specialize in connecting speakers with audiences by creating visual value with presentations and through the creation of motion graphics, video, and content.
To learn more about Artitudes Design, visit their website today. Checkout their portfolio to see their previous projects, and contact them today to find out how they can help you bring your business a cut above the rest.
