Are great communicators born or made?
The honest truth behind what we believe at Communication Mastery.
đ Hey, itâs John and Scott. Welcome to our weekly newsletter for leaders who want to master communication, drawn from 20+ years of public speaking, entrepreneurship, and executive leadership.
Read time: 2 minutes
Do you remember the dread and terror of giving your first presentation?
Mine was junior high, and I was having a âLose Yourselfâ moment. Knees weak and arms heavy. I hadnât thrown up momâs spaghetti, but I definitely dry-heaved in the bathroom before class. My speech was shaky, monotone, and lackluster. No one saw a future orator in the making.
However, six years later, I stood on the steps of the Texas State Capitol and delivered a speech for Veterans Day. That speech was compelling, my voice steady, and my posture confident.
At the center of that transformation was our core belief here at Communication Mastery:
Great communicators are made, not born.
History has repeatedly proven our belief, and we can look at one historical figure as an exemplar of this truth â Sir Winston Churchill.
As a child, he stuttered, spoke with a lisp, and had a shy temperament. Then, when he entered politics, a colleague remarked that he and public speaking âare not neighbors yet. Nor do I think it likely they ever will be.â
However, he understood that words could shape history. Through relentless study and practice, he would become one of the worldâs greatest communicators. His speeches rallied Britain through WWII's darkest hours and are still studied today.
Like Churchill, you can unleash your innate power as a communicator.
While most of us will not be making political addresses to nations during wartime, we are all faced with speaking opportunities in our personal and professional lives. It could be:
a presentation at work
speaking at a city council meeting
giving a wedding speech
delivering a eulogy
Regardless of the environment, mastering public speaking will make you more confident and impactful.
So, can anyone become a great communicator?
The honest truth is yes, but the choice is yours. Will you cast aside your fears, commit yourself to deliberate training, and seek to level up your communication skills?
Weâre here to help unlock the master communicator inside you.
Thank you for reading, and see you next week!
If this newsletter resonates with you, here are three more ways we can help:
Follow John and Scott on LinkedIn for short tips throughout the week (free).
Reach out for 1:1 or team coaching. Hit reply, and weâll send you a few questions to see if weâre a fit.
Book us as keynote speakers. Reach out at hello@communicationmastery.com
Thanks,
John and Scott