How someone approaches a podium

speaks loudly about their confidence level.

It can also give you a sneak peek into the person.

‍

Arrogance struts.  Confidence strides.

‍

Arrogance labors.

Confidence seems effortless.

‍

Arrogance struts with its chest out a bit too far

and chin raised a bit too high.

Confidence doesn’t strain.

‍

You can spot the difference instantly on a panel.

The confident person looks at the person speaking.

The arrogant person is too busy thinking

about what he will say to even  look up.

‍

Confidence listens.  Arrogance “talks.”

‍

Confidence is understated.

Arrogance is brash.

Confidence doesn’t need to impose itself.

Arrogance spends all of its time imposing itself.

‍

Confidence trusts itself.

Arrogance over trusts itself.

‍

So, what makes someone confident?

When we see it we know it.

But can you manufacture it?

‍

“Confidence” according to Cicero is:

“The feeling by which the mind embarks

on great and honorable courses

with a sure trust and hope in itself.”

‍

Confidence lives in the moment.

Arrogance is always judging the moment.

‍

Confidence is not self conscious.

Arrogance is very self conscious.

‍

Confidence has a clear mission.

Arrogance doesn’t care about a mission.

‍

Confidence doesn’t waste your time.

Arrogance doesn’t care about your time.

‍

Confidence knows what it doesn’t know.

Arrogance believes it knows everything or

doesn’t need to know anything.

‍

The alchemy of confident public speaking

starts quite simply.

You have to know why you are giving the speech.

And, that “why” has to have some teeth.

‍

Urgency is a word that comes to mind.

Arrogance lacks urgency

Confidence embraces urgency.

‍

Public speaking is not a casual endeavor.

Confidence is not cavalier.

‍

The confident speaker’s pacing is invigorated

and varied. Arrogant speakers are either too slow

(making you wish that they would just hurry up)

or too fast (making you work too hard to keep up.)

‍

The arrogant speaker thinks the audience

is lucky to be there.

‍

The confident speaker knows that you have to

earn the confidence of an audience.

‍

Confidence is quiet.

Confidence takes work.

And, it ultimately upstages arrogance

every, single, time.

‍