Public speaking has been part of my life for more than 35 years, and I’m still learning what makes it matter.
What has changed most over time is not my love for speaking, but my reason for doing it.
In my twenties, I was focused on inspiring people and sharing ideas.In my thirties, I leaned more into substantive research and practical application.In my forties, I became more interested in engagement, that is, not just what people were hearing, but what they were wrestling with, questioning, and trying to understand.Now in my fifties, I want it to help people think more deeply and to live more thoughtfully. I want people to experience real shifts in how they see their lives and the why that drives them.
Lately, I’ve been taking time to reimagine what public speaking should look like in this season of life. The older I get, the more aware I am that time is precious, both mine and the audience’s. That has changed the way I think about every invitation, every message, and every moment in front of a room.
I want speaking to be more than polished. I want it to be meaningful. Helpful.Worth the time people give to it.
There’s still something powerful about a live audience, whether it’s a small private group or a packed conference of thousands. The exchange is real. The impact can be lasting. And when it’s done well, something deeper happens for everyone in the room, including the speaker.
So I’m curious:Whether you’re the one speaking or the one listening, what matters most to you in a great speaker or communicator?