106: Public Speaking As An Emerging Thought Leader // Alexia Vernon

You’re ready to speak more but you aren't sure what to talk about. You aren't even convinced your story is compelling enough to share.

 

Today's guest, Alexia Vernon, would challenge you on that point. She believes that we are equipped with the tools we need to make an impact from the stage right now.  As a sought-after executive coach, trainer, keynote speaker, and author, Alexia’s ease in front of an audience came with patience and practice.

 

We talk about what it looks like to integrate social justice into our businesses, how the Miss Junior America competition introduced Alexia to public speaking, and why thought leaders must be unapologetic truth-tellers. Throughout our conversation, Alexia illustrates adjustments we can make in our approach to public speaking and how to uncover what it is about our lived experience that resonates with audiences more than expertise ever could.

 

In this episode, we cover:

• The defining experience that introduced Alexia to public speaking;
• The myth of "not being enough of an expert yet" and how that holds us back from pitching ourselves;
• Multiple strategies for aligning our public voice with our brand messaging;
• How negotiating and asking for more can help others to do the same;
• Tips for how much of your story you should share in your messaging;
• Why, as speaker, you need to have multiple stories in your back pocket; and
• The impact a cancer diagnosis has had on Alexia's business and life.

 

Visit Pattern of Purpose for full show notes and links to resources mentioned on this episode.