When Expertise Isn't Enough

You know your business inside out. But when it’s time to explain it out loud, things get complicated.

Whether you’re on a stage, on camera, or in a boardroom, you tense up.

You’re not alone. Many founders and executives experience anxiety when they need to speak publicly - even the highly accomplished ones.

It’s not a knowledge problem. It’s a visibility problem. And the more you avoid it, the harder it gets.

This problem lurks silently in the background, keeping you from panels, pitches, media, and investor moments that could move your company forward.

🤐When You Don’t Speak, Others Decide What You Meant

This isn’t just about confidence, it’s about how you're perceived as a leader. Avoid the spotlight too often, and people start filling in the blanks.

They may assume you're unsure, or unstrategic - which isn’t true, but in the absence of your voice, those narratives take hold.

⏱️Waiting for the “Right Time” Doesn’t Work

Entrepreneurs often postpone working on communication, thinking they’ll tackle it once things settle down.

But when it comes to business - especially startups - calm never really comes. There's always another deadline, pitch, or fire to put out. Instead of waiting for space to appear, you need lightweight systems that fit into the pace you're already operating at. Here are a few tips:

1. The 5-Minute Confidence Reset

Before any presentation or pitch, try this:

• ✍️ Write the one thing your audience must remember - as I’ve written before, clarity beats detail.

• 🗣️ Say it out loud, like you’re explaining it to a friend. No complicated words where a simple one will do!

• 🧘‍♂️ Research a breathing technique that suits you - and use it to stay calm.

2. Build a Speaker’s Emergency Kit

Pitching and speaking opportunities often come last-minute. So, prepare for the most common asks:

• 60-second origin story

• Short investor pitch

• “What do you do?” one-liner

• “What makes you different?” answer

Write them, practice them, and keep them easily available.

3. Tell a Story, Not a Bio

Most entrepreneurs default to features, dates and bulletpoints. But, that’s not what sticks. What people remember is the transformation. Try this structure:

Problem → Frustration → Turning Point → Vision

This works everywhere - from fundraising to hiring to press releases.

4. Practice in Low-Stakes Settings

You don’t need a TED stage to practice speaking - try:

• Posting a short video on LinkedIn

• Practicing aloud in the car

• Joining a low-key podcast or panel

• Recording yourself answering common questions

The more you practice when it doesn’t matter, the better you’ll perform when it really does.

🌰 In a Nutshell

Being good at what you do is different to being able to talk about it. But that gap is fixable.

With structure and a few smart tools, you can speak clearly, calmly, and confidently - without changing your personality or adding hours to your week.

⭐Until next time,
Hannah