Is vulnerability in public speaking something we should be scared of?
The brilliant TED talk, ‘The power of vulnerability’ by Brené Brown, demonstrates the premise that we are all here to ‘connect’ and feel that sense of ‘connection’. It challenges the increasingly popular belief that the route to living our best life is through the principle of ‘control and predict’.
Brené Brown asserts that perhaps the real key to connecting is vulnerability. At Mindful Presenter we passionately believe that having the courage to allow a little vulnerability in public speaking is the key to connecting.
‘Connecting is everything’
We’ve held that belief since we started and it’s those very words that still have us leaping out of bed every morning.
When it comes to Mindful Presenting we believe as Brené Brown suggests that all speakers need:
‘The courage to be imperfect’
‘The compassion to be kind to themselves first and then others’
‘To be willing to let go of who you think you should be to be able to connect.’
Brené Brown suggests that the people who make that human connection ‘fully embrace vulnerability’.
‘They believed that what made them vulnerable, made them beautiful’
Of course Brené, is talking about life in general. However, this is a tenet that can and is transforming the way we present to each other in business and speaking in public.
Just imagine what your next management meeting would look, sound and feel like if everyone thought, spoke and behaved with:
‘The courage to be imperfect’
‘The compassion to be kind to themselves first and then others’
‘‘To be willing to let go of who you think you should be to be able to connect.’
If you need an example of how to present in this way then you need look no further than this TED Talk.
With almost 30 million views on TED there is great deal to learn to not only better understand and consider humanity but to truly connect with others each time we speak.
Here are just few of the gems we can each take from this talk in learning how she has connected with millions of people all over the world.
In this powerful talk you will see that Brené Brown:
– Has a brilliant opening
– Tells great stories
– Uses humour
– Is conversational
– Aks questions
– Pauses beautifully
– Closes powerfully
‘Let ourselves be seen, deeply seen. To love with our whole hearts even though there is no guarantee… to practice gratitude and joy in those moments of terror…to believe that we are enough.’’
A powerful, thought provoking and deeply engaging 20 minute talk, all wrapped up in authenticity and vulnerability.
If you aren’t one of the 30 million people who have already watched it then watch it here now.
If you’d like to learn more about vulnerability in public speaking:
– Book yourself onto a powerful public speaking course.
– Invest in some really good one to one public speaking coaching.
– Get yourself some excellent presentation training
Image: Courtesy of Flickr.com
Leave a comment