Does the thought of speaking in public make your heart race and your palms sweat? Whether you are delivering a keynote, pitching to the board, or just trying to speak up in a Zoom meeting, your delivery can make or break your career.

In this episode of Beyond the Boardroom, Aleksandra sits down with Emma Taylor, a veteran Public Speaking Coach with over 21 years of experience. Trained as an actor, Emma doesn’t just teach you how to speak; she teaches you how to perform. From training MPs and CEOs to helping nervous parents speak at weddings, Emma has seen every mistake in the book—and knows exactly how to fix them fast.

This isn’t about becoming a robot reading off a teleprompter. It’s about finding your authentic voice, removing the "fillers" that kill your authority, and treating your audience (whether it’s 1 person or 1,000) with the respect they deserve.

In this episode, you will learn:

The "Gift" Mindset: Why shifting your focus from yourself to your audience instantly cures anxiety.

The 60-Second Fix: The one simple eye-contact trick that transforms how people perceive you.

Kill the "Ums" & "Ahs": Practical hacks to stop using filler words and qualifiers that make you sound weak.

The "Actor’s Breath": A specific breathing technique (4-in, 2-hold, 6-out) to lower blood pressure and stop the shakes.

Zoom Etiquette: Why turning your camera off is rude and how to command authority through a screen.

Structure Your Speech: The "Statement Sandwich" method to stop rambling and get to the point.

The Wedding & Funeral Survival Guide: Essential do’s and don’ts for life’s most emotional speeches.

If you are ready to stop barking at your audience and start connecting with them, this masterclass is for you.

Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction: Public Speaking is a Life Skill 2:15 - Public Speaking isn't just for the stage (Zoom, Meetings, Debates) 5:40 - The Biggest Mistake: Why you must tailor your "Gift" 8:30 - The 60-Second Tip: The power of true eye contact 12:00 - How to stop rambling: The "Statement Sandwich" 14:50 - Sounding Authoritative: Removing "Kind of" and "Sort of" 18:45 - Nerves & Anxiety: The "I Am Prepared" Breathing Technique 24:30 - Interrupting & The Art of Conversation 29:00 - Faking Confidence: What to do when you turn red 34:50 - Death by PowerPoint: How to use slides correctly 39:00 - Zoom Etiquette: Why your camera must stay ON 46:00 - Wedding Speeches: A guide for Fathers, Grooms, and Best Men

About the Guest: Emma Taylor is a Public Speaking Coach and the founder of Emma Taylor Presents. With a background in professional acting and scriptwriting, she delivers transformative training for high-level executives, politicians, and entrepreneurs. She specializes in turning nervous speakers into commanding leaders. 🔗 Connect with Emma: Website: https://www.emmataylorpresents.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-taylor-b885b78/

About the Host: Aleksandra King is the host of Beyond the Boardroom, a video-first podcast that explores the messy truth behind success. As a former The Apprentice candidate and business entrepreneur, she digs deep into the resilience, psychology, and tactics required to win in business and life.

Subscribe for more fearless conversations on leadership and resilience.

#PublicSpeaking #CommunicationSkills #LeadershipDevelopment #BeyondTheBoardroom #AleksandraKing #Confidence #SoftSkills #ExecutivePresence #PresentationTips