Day 1 · Sunday
First Impressions, Presence & Appearance
Before you say a single word, your audience has already made up their minds about you. That's not pessimism — it's neuroscience. The old, instinctive part of the brain (sometimes called the "reptilian brain") makes snap judgements in about 2 seconds. This is your Gatekeeper.
Key principle: 67% of your message is non-verbal — body language, appearance, posture, and presence. If these are inconsistent, the Gatekeeper won't let your words through, no matter how good they are.
The Gatekeeper Explained
When you stand up in front of an audience, two things happen simultaneously. Your old brain senses danger (all those eyes!) and wants you to fight, flee, or freeze. Meanwhile, your audience's old brains are also asking: "Can I trust this person?" Get the Gatekeeper on your side and your message gets in. Lose it, and you've lost the audience before you've started.
Be a New Communicator
Think of Steve Jobs, Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey. They speak without notes, from the heart, with passion and authority. The worst communicators read from a script. Speaking to influence means speaking with confidence — not reciting facts. If your information is technical, hand it out at the end, never during your talk.
Dress & Appearance
You have 2 seconds
Research from Harvard shows we form lasting judgements from just 2 seconds of silent video. Dress deliberately — as a professional authority on your subject.
Dress for your message
Don't "dress down" to match your audience. Dress to convey authority. Small details (hair, shirt, shoes) collectively add up to your perceived credibility.
Posture & Movement
1
Stand tall
Fill your lungs, breathe from the diaphragm. This alone adds an inch of height — and an inch of authority. Stand with shoulders back, chin up.
2
Own the space
Don't hide behind a lectern. Step out and take charge. Move with confidence — not one nervous step, but deliberate strides that engage different parts of the audience.
3
If seated, occupy space
Sit upright in the back of the chair. Let your posture take up space. Don't lean in — it diminishes power. Think of how confident people sit in a boardroom.
Skill Checker
Day 1 Practice Worksheet
-
✓Walk away from a wall: press shoulders back, chin up, then replicate without the wall
-
✓Practise deep diaphragm breathing — feel yourself grow taller with each breath
-
✓Practise confident, affirmative movement — stride, don't shuffle
-
✓Plan your outfit: is it smart, authoritative, and appropriate for your audience?
-
✓Watch a TV presenter or newsreader: what makes them believable? Note 3 things.
Checklist
0%
Quick Check
According to the Gatekeeper principle, what percentage of your message is non-verbal?
Day 2 · Monday
Gestures, Facial Expression & Eye Communication
Nervousness almost always shows up in the hands and face first. Learning to control these signals — or at least make them work for you — is one of the most impactful things you can do as a speaker.
Gestures: What to Do with Your Hands
Avoid the Fig Leaf
Hands clasped in front of your body signal nervousness and distrust. This is the most common defensive gesture — eliminate it.
No Folded Arms
A closed, defensive posture. Crossed legs when seated can have the same excluding effect on parts of your audience.
Open Palms
The most welcoming gesture. Open palms — single or double — convey honesty and openness. Recommended over pointing.
Presidential Thumbs Up
Clinton's advisors trained him to replace pointing with a thumb gesture. Non-threatening, yet emphasises key points powerfully.
Facial Expression: Smile
A relaxed, genuine smile signals friendliness and trustworthiness — the very thing the Gatekeeper is looking for. You don't need to grin, but you do need warmth. Even on the phone, people can hear a smile. Do these warm-up exercises before any presentation:
1
The Prune & Stretch
Scrunch your whole face into a "prune," then open wide — mouth, eyes, everything — as if shocked. Repeat 3–5 times to release tension.
2
The Brush
Say "brush" slowly, rolling your lips forward on the "r." Follow with the motorboat — lips loosely together, push air through. Great pre-speech loosener.
3
Exaggerated Smiles
Stretch your lips out in big, exaggerated smiles in the mirror. What feels like an obvious smile to you often registers as just neutral to others.
Eye Communication
Eye contact is one of your most powerful tools. Looking down or away signals dishonesty. Hold eye contact with individuals for a few seconds before moving on — this builds sincerity and connection.
Power exercise: On the street or in a shopping centre, hold eye contact with passers-by until they look away first. Most will — and each time they do, you've established dominance and grown your confidence for the stage. Avoid slow blinking (looks smug) and eye-dart (looks shifty).
Skill Checker
Day 2 Practice Worksheet
-
✓Practise gestures in the mirror: find your natural, non-threatening gestures
-
✓Do the Prune & Stretch and Brush exercises to loosen your face
-
✓Check your smile in the mirror — is it bigger than you think it is?
-
✓Practise eye contact outside — hold it until the other person looks away first
-
✓Ask a friend or colleague: do you have any nervous hand or eye habits?
Checklist
0%
Quick Check
Which gesture did Bill Clinton's advisors recommend to replace pointing?
Day 3 · Tuesday
Voice, Tone, Timing & Words
A monotone voice is an audience's worst enemy. Think of the most boring lecture you ever sat through — chances are it wasn't what was said, but how it was said. Today's focus is making your voice work for you.
Voice & Tone
Think of your sentences as rolling hills. Your voice rises over the middle and falls gently at the end. This natural rhythm keeps listeners engaged and signals confidence. Smiling as you speak changes your tone — telesales professionals are trained to "smile when they dial" because it's audible even on the phone.
Try this: Call someone you know. Just by their "hello," you can likely tell their mood. That's the power of tone alone — imagine what it does across an entire speech.
Timing & the Power of the Pause
Go Slower
The tendency is always to rush. When you know your material, you speed up. Your audience doesn't — slow down so they can keep up.
Use the Pause
The pause is your most powerful tool. Before a punchline, before a key point, or instead of "um" — silence commands attention.
Jargon, Words & Non-Words
1
Avoid jargon
Never use abbreviations or technical terms unless you're certain every single member of your audience knows them. Jargon switches people off immediately.
2
Choose words for your audience
Know who you're speaking to and pitch your language accordingly. You don't need to dumb down — but you do need to connect.
3
Eliminate non-words
"Um," "er," "like," "you know," "anyway" — these are silence-fillers that undermine authority. Replace every single one with a pause. The pause is always more powerful.
Starting to Think About Content
Before tomorrow's speech-building session, answer these four questions in your worksheet below. They'll define the purpose of everything you say.
Skill Checker
Day 3 Practice Worksheet
-
✓Read a paragraph aloud: practise the "rolling hills" tone — rise, then fall
-
✓Time yourself speaking for 60 seconds — are you rushing? Consciously slow down
-
✓Catch yourself using a non-word today and replace it with silence
-
✓Listen to someone else speak — identify their filler words and their tonal rhythm
Checklist
0%
Quick Check
What should you replace "um" and other non-words with?
Day 4 · Wednesday
Building Your Speech
Now we get into the content — but remember, how you say something matters more than what you say. A charming speaker who knows the key points will always outperform a fact-crammed speaker who can't connect. Aim to be both.
Key rule: Do not write a speech. Even a memorised written speech sounds unnatural. Instead, use Post-it notes to build a structure you can speak from naturally.
Step 1: Brainstorm with Post-it Notes
Spend 5–6 minutes writing every idea, story, or theme on individual Post-it notes — one idea per note. Don't edit, just generate. Then group similar ideas, arrange them in a flowing order, and check: Have you made up to 3 clear points? Have you asked for one action?
Step 2: Add Enhancements
Stories, examples, analogies, quotes, metaphors — these make your message sticky. Personal stories are best: you know them, so you don't have to rehearse them. Use a single Post-it heading as your reminder.
Stories
Personal experiences are the gold standard. They're authentic, memorable, and you know them so well they come naturally. Ask friends for material if needed.
Analogies & Metaphors
Bridge the gap between what the audience knows and what you're teaching. Make the unfamiliar familiar.
Quotes
One of the few times it's fine to read aloud. Quotes add authority — hold up the text, read it slowly and deliberately.
Avoid Death by PowerPoint
If you use slides, use black backgrounds with a few words — not bullet points. Show the slide, then put it away and take back the audience's attention.
Step 3: Structure
1
Opening — grab attention
Start with a question, a story, a bold statement. Pique curiosity rather than announcing what you'll say. Let the audience reach conclusions as they go.
2
Middle — make your points (max 3)
Each point followed by an enhancement. One flows into the next. Check for gaps and repetition — merge or cut where needed.
3
Close — ask for action
Every speech needs a clear call to action. What do you want people to do now? Make it strong, direct, and memorable.
Skill Checker
Day 4 Speech Builder Worksheet
-
✓Brainstormed all ideas on Post-it notes (5–6 minutes, no editing)
-
✓Grouped and ordered notes so ideas flow naturally from one to the next
-
✓Confirmed: I have a maximum of 3 main points
-
✓Added enhancements: at least one story, example, or quote per point
-
✓Defined a strong opening and a clear call to action at the close
-
✓Estimated timing per section and checked total against available time
Checklist
0%
Quick Check
What is the maximum number of main points you should aim to make in a speech?
Day 5 · Thursday
Trigger Words & Bringing It All Together
By now your speech is structured and your enhancements are in place. Today you distil your Post-it notes into a single page of trigger words — then bring everything together in your first full run-through.
What Are Trigger Words?
Take each Post-it note and reduce it to a single word — one word that "triggers" the full story or point in your mind. The name of a character in a story. A single strong noun. Write them in order on one blank sheet. You now have your entire speech on one page.
Why this works: Each time you run through your speech, the words will vary slightly — and that's good. It sounds natural. Your structure stays the same; your delivery feels fresh and authentic every time.
Your First Full Run-Through
1
Adopt your presentation position
Stand (or sit) exactly as you will on the day. Do the wall exercise, breathe deeply, take up space. Your physical state affects your vocal delivery.
2
Speak aloud from trigger words only
Go through the whole speech. It's fine to refer to your Post-its at first. Time the run-through and aim for your target duration, going slowly.
3
Create your imaginary audience
Post-it notes with eyes drawn on them placed around the room make excellent stand-ins. Practise directing eye contact to different "audience members" as you speak.
4
Repeat 3–6 times
Don't over-rehearse (more than 6–8 can cause confusion). Do the prune and brush exercises to loosen your face between runs if needed.
Skill Checker
Day 5 Run-Through Worksheet
-
✓Reduced each Post-it note to a single trigger word
-
✓Written all trigger words in order on one sheet of paper
-
✓Completed at least one full timed run-through from trigger words alone
-
✓Practised eye contact with imaginary audience (Post-it notes with eyes)
-
✓Reviewed non-verbal elements during the run: posture, gestures, smile, pace
Checklist
0%
Quick Check
Why does slightly varying your words each time you practise actually help?
Day 6 · Friday
Practice Makes Natural & Knowing Your Audience
Today we shift from rehearsal to refinement. The goal is not "practice makes perfect" — it's practice makes natural. You want to know what you're going to say and perform so well that you can relax and be fully present when it matters.
Use Video
Film yourself giving your presentation. Your phone is sufficient. Watch it back on a larger screen if you can. You will almost certainly be your own harshest critic — and you may be pleasantly surprised. Nerves you felt internally rarely show on screen.
The Rule of 3s: Always find 3 things you did well and 3 things to improve. No more, no less. This focuses your energy and keeps progress healthy. If asking a friend to evaluate you, give them this same rule.
Skill Is Built, Not Born
Tiger Woods, the Williams sisters — elite performers all had dedicated, intentional practice from an early age. The research suggests around 10,000 hours of quality practice to reach mastery. Right now you need a good speech — and a few high-quality, focused rehearsals will get you there.
Know Your Audience
Tailor your language
Younger audiences respond to current references. Older audiences to timeless ones. Pitch at their level — never dumb down, but always connect.
Avoid sensitive topics
Stay non-political and avoid religious references unless you're certain they're welcome. Keep as many people on side as possible.
Handle hecklers confidently
Thank them for their input, invite them to share at the Q&A, or ask if they'd like to speak themselves. Don't humiliate — redirect.
Use participation wisely
Ask show-of-hands questions where most will agree — this primes the audience for future participation. Start easy, build momentum.
Skill Checker
Day 6 Video Review Worksheet
-
✓Filmed at least one full run-through on video
-
✓Watched it back and noted 3 things done well (Rule of 3s)
-
✓Noted 3 things to improve and done a second run-through focusing on those
-
✓Considered my audience: age, background, language level, likely sensitivities
-
✓Tailored at least one story or reference specifically for this audience
Checklist
0%
Quick Check
When evaluating your own performance using the Rule of 3s, what should you always do first?
Day 7 · Saturday
Energy, Modelling & The Main Event
You've done the work. Today is about stepping into your power, using a proven confidence technique, and preparing mentally and physically to deliver your very best performance.
Modelling: Borrow Someone's Confidence
Modelling means adopting the traits, energy, and manner of a speaker you admire — not mimicking their voice, but channelling their confidence and presence. Think of the greatest orators: Lincoln, Churchill, Mandela, Jobs. Who would you choose?
Try it: Before you speak, ask yourself — "How would [your model] walk in? How would they stand? What energy would they project?" Then do your version of that. After a while, your own personality takes over — and you've absorbed the traits you wanted.
Energy & Preparation
1
Visualise success
Sit quietly, close your eyes, and vividly imagine your speech going brilliantly. The audience laughs, nods, applauds. Feel the emotion of success — this primes your brain to perform. Top athletes do this before every event.
2
Power up your body
Jump up and down, clench your fists, breathe deeply. This converts nervous energy into performance energy. Channel the nervousness — don't suppress it.
3
Arrive early
Get to the venue early. Stand where you'll speak. Imagine the audience in front of you. Own the space before anyone else arrives.
4
Warm up face and voice
Do the prune and stretch. Say "ding-dong, ding-dong" musically — high note, then low, progressively lower. Breathe slowly and deeply from the diaphragm.
The Main Event
Walk out smiling, standing tall, shoulders back. You have 2 seconds to make your first impression — make every one of them count. Speak to the back of the room. Breathe. Pause. Let the audience come to you.
"Come to the edge. We might fall. Come to the edge. It's too high! COME TO THE EDGE! And they came, and we pushed, and they flew." — Christopher Logue
Skill Checker
Day 7 Final Preparation Worksheet
-
✓Chosen my model: a speaker whose confidence and presence I want to channel
-
✓Completed a full visualisation exercise — imagined success in vivid detail
-
✓Done a final run-through, trigger words only, timing on target
-
✓Prepared appearance: outfit planned, grooming sorted, looking sharp
-
✓Trigger word cards prepared as backup (A6/A7 size) if needed
-
✓Planned to arrive early and stand in the space before the audience arrives
Checklist
0%
Final Check
What is the purpose of the "modelling" technique before a speech?
□
You're Ready to Speak!
You've completed all 7 days of the Master Public Speaking program. You have the tools, the structure, and the confidence framework. Now go speak — and remember: practice makes natural.