For today’s podcast, I met with Dr. Katherine Helm as we break down the do’s and don’ts of public speaking. From facial expressions, why it’s important to get vulnerable, presenting details, attributions, how to share more of your story, to making sure the audience is with you every step of the way…we cover everything you need to know before you step on stage.

Tune in to Thought Leaders Amplified — Behind-The-Scenes Public Speaking Training for a TEDx Talk with Kathryn Janicek & Dr. Katherine Helm.

What You Will Discover: 

✔️Have a natural performance quality. Facial expressions can get lost and forced, especially when you’ve practiced the same piece repeatedly. Be conscious as you speak to naturally convey the emotion when needed.

✔️ Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. Being on stage is a golden opportunity for you to show your authentic self. Share the most intimate (and necessary) details of your story to create a lasting impact.

✔️ Present real-world examples. Bring the audience closer to your story before they can say, “I can’t relate.” This helps them connect your message to their experiences and deeply understand the core of your speech.

✔️Assume your audience knows nothing. When mentioning celebrities or prominent figures, give a title or a description so they won’t feel out of the loop. Present all the important facts of your story along with the emotions your past self would have felt. Act as if your audience is your therapist.

Katherine Helm, PhD is a Professor of Psychology and Director of Graduate Programs in Counseling at Lewis University, Romeoville, IL. She is also a practicing psychologist. Her clinical expertise is in working with a wide range of clients including couples. Katherine has authored several publications about racial and cultural issues in mental health, couples’ issues, and pedagogy in multicultural courses. She has participated in counselor training at multiple levels and was a 2021 recipient of the Clinical Supervisor of the Year award from the Illinois Counselor Educators and Supervisors division of the Illinois Counseling Association.  Katherine is a sought-after presenter, professional trainer, clinical supervisor, and author.

Want to see how Dr. Helm’s TEDx Talk turned out? You can watch it on her website here: https://www.drkhelmconsulting.com

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Ready for more tips, tricks, and techniques on public speaking, media interviews, and standing out in front of any audience? 🔴 SUBSCRIBE 🔴  to my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/KathrynJanicekProductions

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Socrates once said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Major General John Borling has taken this to heart as he continues to carve his path of success and strength to this day.

A retired US Air Force pilot with a career spanning 37 years, a Vietnam War prisoner, a business chairman of a biotech company, and a weekly column writer, he joins us today to share his advice on dealing with trauma, being an effective and vulnerable leader, and avoiding arrogance and burnout.

Want to learn more? 🎬 Watch the full episode of Thought Leaders Amplified — Secrets of Success From a Prisoner of War With Major General John Borling. 

What You Will Discover: 

✔️Just keep marching. Thoreau said, “The mass of man leads lives of quiet desperation. Confirmed desperation is resignation.” John Borling advises to never resign and continue progressing.

✔️ Lean on others. How did John Borling survive 6 ½  years in a Hanoi prison? Talking with others – even between walls. He opened himself up to his fellow inmates’ skills and personalities and learned French in the process.

✔️Know when to fight. Leaders must accept that they’re also imperfect. That means rest is crucial to avoid burnout. “When the struggle times come, that’s when you do it. You have to get all the altitude you can,” John Borling says.

✔️ Serve beyond yourself. Self-improvement can be for the greater good. But the true meaning of life comes from committing to helping others.

✔️ Look back, but don’t stare. It’s perfectly okay to remember your past traumas and failures. As you wrestle with the sadness, regret, anger, and loneliness, fight as much as you can to move forward.

✔️ Shine a light on your mistakes right away. It’s all part of being human. Pushing it aside will only make it worse. Showing that level of vulnerability propels your credibility as a thought leader.

Major General John L. Borling was born in Chicago. He studied at the University of Illinois and Augustana College prior to graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1963. He received his pilot wings in August 1964, then completed F-4 fighter training. In 1966, after 97 combat missions in Southeast Asia, he was shot down by ground fire northeast of Hanoi, North Vietnam. Seriously injured, he was captured and spent 6 1/2 years as a prisoner of war. He returned to the United States and resumed his military career to include command of fighter, bomber, tanker, missile, and support units at squadron, group, and division levels. He is a command pilot and has flown many different aircraft. High-level staff experience includes the White House, the Pentagon, Strategic Air Command as director of operations for the conflicts in Panama and Iraq, and Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE).

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Book recommendation: 

Taps on the Walls: Poems from the Hanoi Hilton - written by Major General USAF Ret. John Borling

On Leadership by John W. Gardner https://www.amazon.com/Leadership-John-W-Gardner/dp/0029113121 

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Ready for more tips, tricks, and techniques on public speaking, media interviews, and standing out in front of any audience? 🔴 SUBSCRIBE 🔴  to my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/KathrynJanicekProductions

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I held on to these Elton John tickets for two years. 

The pandemic kept delaying the show… and then Elton got sick.

I was starting to wonder: “Would Elton fully recover? Would he be too nervous singing in front of a huge crowd again (because of the pandemic)?”

When he got on stage, I swear he put every ounce of his being into that show.

And he didn’t need to.

That’s definitely something we can all learn from.

Learn more in the full episode of Thought Leaders Amplified 🎬  How to prepare before public speaking — a lesson from Elton John. 

What You Will Discover: 

✔️ Give your best in every performance. Watching Elton John perform wasn’t just a fun time. It was a lesson in thought leadership. He gave his best in every single song — as if he’s never reached peak success in his 50-year career.

✔️Capture your audience. We live in a world where we don’t have time to warm up. Catch people right off the top. Whether you’re ready or not, entertain. Give them a reason to stick around and listen to you!

✔️Remain grateful for the opportunity. It’s so easy to get used to your work. But when the spotlight is on you, be thankful you’re there. This once-in-a-lifetime chance has been given to you for a reason.

✔️ Captivate your listeners. You only have a few seconds to get your audience’s attention before they switch to another podcast or video. Engage them and make them want to stay!

✔️ Once you hit the stage, be ready to entertain. You’ve put hours of preparation and practice into your speaking gig. Get out there and be the true thought leader you are.

✔️ Make your first sound bite a headline. The first few words always matter. Be it on a social media post, an ad, a podcast episode, or a speech. Learn from the pros. Encapsulate all the excitement going on in your organization in the most concise way possible.

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Ready for more tips, tricks, and techniques on public speaking, media interviews, and standing out in front of any audience? 🔴 SUBSCRIBE 🔴  to my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/KathrynJanicekProductions

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You must look confident for people to be confident in you.

You may have gone to a great school, have tons of experience, but people may still judge you for what you’re wearing.

This is why I found this topic so important. It could be for a job interview, a board meeting, or a panel discussion. Let me guide you in choosing the best clothes to wear in front of the camera.

Tune in to learn more in this episode of Thought Leaders Amplified 🎬 5 ways to look better when presenting on TV + video. 

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: 

✔️ Choose colors that complement. Colors can make or break your outfit. Select shades that bring out the best in your skin tone, face, and eyes. The goal is to make you glow and stand out — people’s eyes should be glued to you!

✔️Think about your glasses. If you wear glasses, put your ring light on the side to avoid it reflecting in your lenses. Get bigger frames that don’t block any parts of your eyes.

✔️ Dress for the part. Being a thought leader doesn’t mean being on-trend or wearing expensive outfits. Dress presentably. Give the impression that you pay attention to taking care of yourself. This strongly reflects your capabilities to perform and handle your business with others.

✔️ Consider your seating arrangement. When you’re scheduled to be a guest speaker on a panel, the last thing you’d think to ask about is the piece of furniture you’ll be sitting on. But it’s actually a huge factor when picking your outfit, especially for women. Choosing knee-length or long bottoms would prevent the distraction of having to constantly pull down your skirt.

✔️ Make your eyes pop. If your audience looks into your eyes, a strong connection is built — even if it’s through a screen. Make sure your background has nothing that pulls their attention away from you. The more focus is drawn to your eyes, the easier it is to get your message across.

✔️ Wear minimal jewelry. Jewelry can definitely pull an outfit together. But pretty pieces of silver and gold can also backfire. Don’t let your timeless rings and necklaces pull people away from your purpose.

✔️The right colors make a difference. You want people to be focusing in on your message and connecting with you. Wearing the right colors on camera, on Zoom, and on stage is just one step towards amplifying your message and encouraging people to trust and remember you.

I’ve recently created a special program dedicated to healthcare professionals who need media training so they can confidently show up on camera, attract more patients, move up in their careers, and let their expertise shine. If that’s you or you know someone who can benefit from this, click here: http://standoutinthemedia.com/ 

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Ready for more tips, tricks, and techniques on public speaking, media interviews, and standing out in front of any audience? 🔴 SUBSCRIBE 🔴  to my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/KathrynJani... 

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Now that we’re hosting them from the comforts of home, it’s easy to become complacent with how we present ourselves.

We should focus on trying to be perceived as the thought leaders we are.

So what should we avoid to win our audience’s hearts?

Learn more in the the full episode of Thought Leaders Amplified  🎬 Stop doing these 3 things when presenting on Zoom. 

What You Will Discover: 

✔️Hands off your face and hair. Whatever you show is a reflection of you as a leader. Fiddling not only gives the impression of nervousness, but it’s also messy. Your face is who you are! Proudly show it!

✔️Maintain steady eye contact. The eyes are the reflection of the soul. But if yours are all around, looking out and under, how will your audience feel? People want to feel your presence. They want connection.

✔️Proper body language can gain your audience’s trust. Sure, sitting up straight and using the right gestures looks good. But it also strengthens your credibility as a thought leader. Your movements are a tool to amplify your message.

✔️ Give your full attention to your audience. Don’t make them feel neglected. Engage and touch their souls with your words and your presence!

✔️ Making small tweaks creates a big impression. Body language is a subtle art. Some movements might fly over our heads, but everything you present affects your listeners. Apply the do’s and don’ts, and see your meetings transform!

✔️ Try it out yourself. A VP told me recently that his team is much more engaged now in his meetings. All he did was follow my advice. Don’t believe me? Try it.

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Ready for more tips, tricks, and techniques on public speaking, media interviews, and standing out in front of any audience? 🔴 SUBSCRIBE 🔴  to my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/KathrynJanicekProductions?sub_confirmation=1

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynjanicek/

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Learn more 🎬 on the full episode of Thought Leaders Amplified — Feeling beaten down? Change your mindset to become a more visible & inspirational public speaker. 

What You Will Discover: 

✔️ We’re our own worst enemies. Being fired isn’t the end of the world. Trust me, I’ve been there. Now, leaders from Fortune 100 companies come to me for consultations and training. Nobody relives your failures, but your mind does.

✔️Freshen it up. Still dwelling on that time   you lost your job? Get yourself and your LinkedIn profile a makeover. Talk about the incredible things you’ve done since that dreadful day. Spend an entire day at the salon or spa.

✔️Recognize your truth. Waiting for that special someone to nominate you won’t get you the accolades. Apply for the awards. Nominate yourself. Nobody else knows your work ethic and accomplishments more than you do.

✔️ Hire experts. Trauma can be tricky to navigate. I had to ask for advice from business coaches and therapists. They walked me through my past mistakes and made sure I never repeat them.

✔️ Practice self-care for your career. Self-care isn’t just meditation and scented candles. It’s also slowly moving on from that career setback and opening yourself up to bigger opportunities. Grab every chance to learn and experience more in your field.

✔️ Putting yourself out there makes a difference in your mindset. Simply showing up will slowly carry you back up to your flow state as a thought leader. And the world will definitely take notice.

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Ready for more tips, tricks, and techniques on public speaking, media interviews, and standing out in front of any audience? 🔴 SUBSCRIBE 🔴  to my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/KathrynJani... 

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynja... 

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How will you make it land with your potential audience?

Take some notes … I want you to stand out from the crowd!

Learn more 🎬 watch the full episode of Thought Leaders Amplified — The missing part of your marketing strategy could be you. (Being vulnerable and talking to your audience.) with Kathryn Janicek. 

What You Will Discover: 

✔️Ask what’s missing. One of my clients was creating a video message for his employees. He had fancy equipment and big-budget production.

But it sounded incomplete. What could he do differently?

✔️Add more of “you”. The screen is the ONLY thing between you and your audience. Break down that wall! Pour your heart and emotion into each word. Don’t be afraid to show your “human-ness.”

✔️ Stand out in the sea of videos. Companies are making video their top  priority. How will you set yourself apart? The key is being yourself and keeping the passion to serve.

✔️ Use the right tone and cadence. The audience can tell if you’re reading from a script and manufacturing your emotions. Don’t just deliver the message. Immerse yourself in it.

✔️ Your audience came to the “You” party – don’t disappoint! Your audience made the choice to click on your videos and meetings. They want to listen to your message. Give them what they came for. Put yourself front and center. Engage them in your world.

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I’ve recently created a special program dedicated to healthcare professionals who need media training so they can confidently show up on camera, attract more patients, move up in their careers, and let their expertise shine. If that is you or you know someone who can benefit from this, click here: http://standoutinthemedia.com/ 

=================================

Ready for more tips, tricks, and techniques on public speaking, media interviews, and standing out in front of any audience? 🔴 SUBSCRIBE 🔴  to my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4DCI1B9fhtqyzXsTQ6RwT4dfwZFcdJFV

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