Present Your Best Self - How to Shine in Public Speaking

by Tiana Harper, who will be running 'Present Your Best Self', a unique public speaking course, taking place at Skyros this summer.

"Desiring this man's art and that man's scope..." (William Shakespeare).

In his 29th sonnet, Shakespeare laments his insecurity in the face of the perceived talents of others. And, let's be honest, which of us has not had moments when we've wished we could be as confident, as eloquent, as charismatic as another? When asked to make a presentation at work, pitch to clients or deliver a speech at a special occasion, our thoughts often turn to a perceived lack of nerve or polish. But the key word here is perceive.

In my coaching work I am often told that the subject is nervous or even terrified of speaking in front of others, only to find that 5 minutes later I am watching a perfectly confident and capable human take the 'stage' in front of me. Yes, there is room to build on his/her presentation skills and I can facilitate this, but when asked what the magic formula is to change him/her into the speaker or performer they think they need to be, the answer often surprises.

You do not need to be Barack Obama or Judi Dench or Russell Brand in order to be riveting.

What you need to be is you.

It seems such a simple concept that some people find it hard to believe. If you are just being you, why isn't everyone a brilliant speaker or presenter or performer?

As everyone is unique, it's impossible to generalise about what turns us off when listening to someone who is not holding our attention, but fortunately it is much clearer to identify what turns us on. The speaker has moved us. They have made us laugh, inspired us or made us interested in a subject for which we previously held no opinion.  And they are able to do these things because they are genuine - genuine in their relationship with themselves and with their subject matter, and therefore genuine in their relationship with their audience.

Actors know this well, and I use the same principles when working with them as I do when working with an author working on their public reading technique, or with a wedding guest nervous about delivering a poem to the congregation, or a manager worried about that potentially career-changing presentation. What moves you? What parts are you uncomfortable with and why do you think that is? Where can we go together to find the parts of your imagination and emotional life that colour your voice and authentically animate your body?

Yes there are techniques, and there is practice. These are also part of the Present Your Best Self workshop and can be very grounding as well as forming the basis for continuing development of technique. But there will also be play and there will also be shared and self-discovery. There will be laughter, and release, there will be fun and games and there may even, in some instances, be tears. Above all there will be being fully alive and present, so that when you do need to take the platform or the stage, you will instinctively remember how to be everything you can be in that moment.

And this is why Skyros island, Greece, is the best place to do this. If you've been before you will know that you cannot fail to come back touched by the beauty of the setting, by its kinship, and by the freedom it provides to explore skills, ideas and practices unfettered by judgement; by the opportunity to stretch yourself with the sun on your face and the surety that you gain in rich experience with every moment. If you haven't been before, what joys lie ahead of you!

Shakespeare ends the sonnet by remembering 'sweet love' and this elevates his mood to the extent that he 'scorns' to 'change my state with kings'. His genius is to remind us that it is authentic feeling that transforms us into the extraordinary, and it is the extraordinary experience of honing your public speaking skills on a Skyros holiday that will live on in you when you next need to be a 'king' of public speaking.

About Tiana Harper:
Tiana is passionate about inter personal communication and is on a mission to disseminate skills gained in performance and media to a larger audience and for wider application.  An alumni of the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and a working writer and theatre director, Tiana has directed actors (and non actors) from all backgrounds and skill sets, from complete beginners to household names, and brings this experience to her work coaching individuals and groups in presentation skills.


The Life Choices programme on a Skyros holiday offers the encouragement you need to leave behind life's limitations, recharge your passion and change your life. Reach new insights and learn new skills, all in a warm and friendly atmosphere, with great food, great company ... and a beautiful view!


Tiana's course, 'Present Your Best Self' takes place Sat 19 - Sat 26 Jul 2014 at the Skyros Centre on the Greek island of Skyros. To book this public speaking course, or if you'd like more information about a Skyros holiday, feel free to call us on Tel: 01983 865 566 or email: office@skyros.com