Shandy Welch, an executive leadership coach renowned for humanizing leadership, joins the discussion to tackle the challenges of speaking with intimidating figures. She highlights that nervousness is a sign you care and reframes it as excitement. Preparation is crucial; knowing your material allows for seamless improvisation. Emphasizing empathy, Shandy urges listeners to acknowledge the humanity in interactions and to view conversations as opportunities to help others. Overall, she inspires confidence in overcoming intimidation and fostering genuine connections.
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volunteer_activism ADVICE
Reframing Nervousness
Reframe nervousness as excitement; it signals that you care.
Channel your nervous energy instead of trying to eliminate it.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Focus on Serving
Focus on serving your audience and sharing your knowledge.
Shift your mindset from "What are they thinking of me?" to "How can I help them?"
insights INSIGHT
You're the Best Person There
If you're in a meeting or conversation, you're the best person to be there at that moment.
Don't dwell on how you got there; focus on making the most of the opportunity.
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Shandy Welch: Leadership Coach
Shandy Welch is an executive leadership coach. Her coaching focus is around humanizing leadership and re-engaging individuals and teams to inspire change and innovation. She is also a Coaching for Leaders Fellow.
Most leaders find themselves — at least occasionally — in conversations with people who intimidate them. In this SaturdayCast, Shandy and I share what’s worked for us and how it might help you have better conversations.
Key Points
Nervousness is your friend. If you feel it, that means you care. Try to get the butterflies flying in formation.
You are there because you are the best person to be there. Full stop.
People with visibility will expect you've done your homework. If they’ve put something out into the world, they want you to find it.
Preparation helps you improvise. “You've got to learn your instrument. Then, you practice, practice, practice. And then, when you finally get up there on the bandstand, forget all that and just wail.” -Charlie Parker
Always assume there is something you can do to help out someone else. Consider their perspective and what they gain from the meeting with you.
Everybody has doubts and struggles. Remember the humanity that’s present in every interaction.
What was helpful to you from our conversation? We’d love to know. Share it with Shandy at shandywelch@gmail.com
Related Episodes
How to Talk to People Who Have Power, with Jordan Harbinger (episode 343)
How to Help People Speak Truth to Power, with Megan Reitz (episode 597)
Set the Tone for Speaking Up, with Mike Massimino (episode 672)
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