July 3, 2025 • 10 mins
Ever freeze up mid-conversation or overthink every word before a big presentation? I’ve been there too, and I’ve learned that you don’t need to be perfect to be powerful.
In this solo episode of Speaking With Confidence, I’m sharing three of my favorite improv-inspired techniques that have helped me (and many of my clients) show up with more presence, connection, and confidence, no matter the setting.
You’ll hear how the “Yes, And” mindset can instantly shift you from anxious overthinking to engaged collaboration, how embracing failure (yes, on purpose) builds real trust and authenticity, and why a quick 10-second grounding technique might be your new go-to tool for calming nerves.
These tools aren’t about performing, they’re about transforming how you show up. Because confidence doesn’t come from being flawless. It comes from learning to trust yourself in the moment.
Resources:
Grab your free eBook: The Top 21 Challenges for Public Speakers (and How to Overcome Them)
Book a free coaching call with Tim: TimNewmanSpeaks.com
Want to be a guest on Speaking With Confidence? Send Tim Newman a message on PodMatch
Speaking With Confidence
Formula for Public Speaking
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Tim (00:08):
Welcome back to Speak With Confidence, a podcast that helps
you build the soft skills thatlead to real results
Communication, storytelling,public speaking and showing up
with confidence in everyconversation that counts.
I'm Tim Newman, a recoveringcollege professor turned
communication coach, and I'mthrilled to guide you on your
journey to becoming a powerfulcommunicator.
Make sure you hit the subscribebutton so you never miss an
(00:29):
episode.
In other episodes I mentionedthat when I stopped trying to be
perfect, I started soundingmore like myself.
The same thing happened interms of confidence.
When I stopped trying to beperfect, I started feeling
confident.
Now understand that shiftdidn't come from a big
breakthrough.
It came from learning a fewsimple principles that helped me
(00:50):
stop overthinking and starttrusting myself.
Studies show that improvpractices can actually lower
social stress and free up mentalenergy, making it easier to
trust your instincts and respondin the moment.
Improv training is used bypeople from all backgrounds to
build real confidence, not juston stage, but in everyday
(01:10):
conversations.
Today, I'm sharing threeimprov-inspired confidence hacks
, verified by PsychologyResearch.
These aren't about pretendingto be confident.
They're about unlocking theconfidence you already have and
using it when you need it most.
We'll start with a conversationhack that can cut social stress
in half and help you handle anyinteraction with ease.
(01:31):
One of the most effectivetechniques for keeping
conversations alive is the yesand power move from improv.
This simple shift is aboutaccepting what someone says and
then adding to it, whichinstantly makes any interaction
more dynamic.
Instead of worrying aboutsaying the wrong thing or
freezing up, you focus onbuilding momentum together.
(01:53):
It's kind of like a toned-downversion of the TV show Whose
Line Is it Anyway?
So if someone remarks this roomfeels like a freezer, you might
reply yeah, and we should starthanding out jackets with the
agenda.
The conversation does installand it keeps rolling and both
people feel more engaged.
The yes-and approach worksbecause it changes your role
(02:16):
from gatekeeper to collaborator,and research shows that
accepting and contributing ideas, rather than evaluating,
evaluating, frees up brain powerfor genuine connection.
When you're not stuck onediting yourself or searching
for the perfect words, you canactually listen and respond in
real time, and that's why somany improv actors and
(02:37):
communicators rely on thisprinciple to stay present and
connected.
Here's a great example, and itcomes from author and speaker
Christine Michelle Carter, whoused improv to overcome her own
perfectionism.
During a session, her teacherreminded her practice isn't
about being perfect.
It just makes your worst better.
And for a bit of context here,according to her website, her
(02:59):
live event speaking fee isbetween $30,000 and $50,000.
And I hope that gets yourattention.
That's what yes and does forconversations.
It trains you to keep movingforward even if your response
isn't flawless.
The goal isn't to impress.
It's to participate and keepthe exchange alive.
So you don't have to be onstage to use this.
(03:22):
Try it with a friend orcolleague.
Pick any topic and make everyresponse start with yes and
You'll notice the conversationflows more easily and you spend
less time worrying about awkwardsilences and running out of
things to say.
This simple shift dissolvesdead-end responses and builds
authentic rapport, because bothpeople feel heard and valued.
(03:43):
Ultimately, yes and isn't aboutbeing clever or quick-witted.
It's about staying in themoment and trusting that you can
handle what comes next, even ifit's unexpected.
And the more you practice this,the more natural it feels to
keep moving forward, regardlessof how perfect your words are.
So you may be thinking but whathappens when things don't go
(04:06):
smoothly, when you say the wrongthing or make a mistake in
front of others?
And that's where the nextprinciple comes in, and it can
actually make you more confidentevery time you stumble.
Look, mistakes are inevitable,but it's the way you handle them
that can transform yourconfidence.
In improv, failure isn't aboutsomething to avoid.
(04:27):
It's something to practice.
One of the core exercises isthe failure game, where
performers intentionally mess upand then announce I failed with
a big, dramatic bow.
This may sound odd, but it's aproven way to train your brain
to recover quickly instead offreezing up.
Research shows that improvexercises like this can actually
(04:49):
boost resilience and well-being, helping you to adapt to
unexpected situations and bounceback faster when things go
wrong.
The failure bow is effectivebecause it turns an awkward
moment into a physical gesture.
Instead of shrinking away aftera slip-up, you acknowledge it
with a confident nod, a smile oreven a quick bow.
This signals to everyone,including yourself, that you're
(05:12):
not rattled by the mistake andthat you're ready to move
forward.
Improv theaters teach this toall kinds of people, from
students to businessprofessionals, because it helps
break the cycle ofself-criticism and anxiety that
perfectionism often creates.
You know I've mentioned thismany times when you own your
mistakes openly, people actuallytrust you more.
(05:35):
They see you as authentic andresilient If you forget
someone's name.
Instead of pretending orgetting flustered, you might say
your name just escaped me.
Can you remind me?
That kind of honesty doesn'tweaken your presence.
It builds connection.
That kind of honesty doesn'tweaken your presence.
It builds connection.
(05:55):
In improv, some of the bestscenes come from unexpected
mistakes.
A stumble can spark creativityand make the moment more
memorable than anything you hadplanned.
I mentioned a minute ago whatChristine Carter's coach said to
her about practice.
Shifting from fearing mistakesto seeing them as opportunities
for her growth helped her becomea more confident communicator.
Stomping Ground Comediesworkshops have shown that even
in high-pressure corporateenvironments, practicing with
(06:17):
intentional mistakes can turnanxiety into playful confidence.
By redefining what successmeans not as getting everything
right but as handling whatevercomes, you can lower the
pressure and actually performbetter.
Under stress, conversationsbecome easier and you start to
feel more at ease, even whenthings don't go perfectly.
This mindset is a foundationfor building real confidence.
(06:39):
Of course, even with thisapproach, nerves can still get
the best of you, especially whenall eyes are on you.
That's where a simple groundingtechnique used by actors can
make a big difference, helpingyou stay calm and focused when
your mind wants to race ahead.
Actors rely on a simpletechnique called the 10-second
(07:00):
grounding trick.
It's a quick sensory check inthat immediately centers your
attention and breaks a cycle ofanxious thoughts.
The most common version is thefive senses method, adapted from
improv warm-ups.
Here performers pause andquietly name five things they
can see, four they can touch,three that they can hear, two
(07:20):
that they can smell and one thatthey can taste.
This active scan draws yourmind away from spiraling worries
back into the present moment.
Improv classes teach exerciseslike this to help students
manage stage fright and feelawkward silences, because it's
hard to overthink when you'refocused on your surroundings.
Actors call this a groundingexercise because listing your
(07:42):
five senses immediately pullsyou into the present and stops
your mind from racing.
Improv and mindfulness researchagree that sensory grounding
cuts anxiety faster than deepbreathing alone.
By anchoring yourself in what'sreal and immediate, you
interrupt the mental loop ofwhat-ifs and self-criticism.
This isn't just for performers.
(08:03):
Anyone can use it, whetheryou're about to speak in a
meeting, walk into a socialevent or start a challenging
conversation.
You can use this trick anywhereand no one else has to notice.
If you're holding a pen.
Feels texture.
Listen for the famousbackground sound like the hum of
a vent or the shuffle of papers, notice the color of a wall or
(08:24):
the pattern of the carpet oreven the temperature of the air.
These tiny details becomeanchors that keep you steady.
One TED speaker says she calmsher nerves by silently counting
ceiling tiles.
Small, intentional actions likethese reset your brain just
enough to get out of your headand into the moment.
Let's try a quick exercise.
(08:46):
Grab your phone or camera andlook around and notice five
items.
You see right now that smallaction reset your brain in under
10 seconds.
You don't need to close youreyes or do any special breathing
, just let your senses do allthe work.
Once you make grounding a habit, you'll notice conversations
(09:07):
and presentations feel lessdaunting.
You're not stuck in your head,you're actually present and
engaged.
This shift creates thefoundation for real, lasting
confidence, and something youcan practice every day.
Remember, confidence grows whenyou put these techniques into
action, not just think aboutthem.
So choose one hack, try yes,and at dinner tonight, or use a
(09:31):
grounding exercise beforetomorrow's meeting and see how
quickly you feel more at ease.
Improv principles are designedto help you trust yourself in
the moment, so you'll notice theshift immediately.
Drop a comment.
Which hack.
Did you try and how did itchange your confidence?
Remember, confidence isn'tabout perfection.
It's about showing up andstaying engaged even when things
(09:53):
get messy.
That's the improv mindset andit works far beyond the stage.
Again, we're looking forprogress, not perfection.
That's all for today.
Be sure to visitspeakingwithconfidencepodcastcom
to get your free e-book the Top21 Challenges for Public
Speakers and how to Overcomethem.
You can also register for theFormula for Public Speaking
(10:15):
course.
Always remember your voice is apower changer.
We'll talk to you next time.
Welcome back to Speak With Confidence, a podcast that helps
you build the soft skills thatlead to real results
Communication, storytelling,public speaking and showing up
with confidence in everyconversation that counts.
I'm Tim Newman, a recoveringcollege professor turned
communication coach, and I'mthrilled to guide you on your
journey to becoming a powerfulcommunicator.
Make sure you hit the subscribebutton so you never miss an
(00:29):
episode.
In other episodes I mentionedthat when I stopped trying to be
perfect, I started soundingmore like myself.
The same thing happened interms of confidence.
When I stopped trying to beperfect, I started feeling
confident.
Now understand that shiftdidn't come from a big
breakthrough.
It came from learning a fewsimple principles that helped me
(00:50):
stop overthinking and starttrusting myself.
Studies show that improvpractices can actually lower
social stress and free up mentalenergy, making it easier to
trust your instincts and respondin the moment.
Improv training is used bypeople from all backgrounds to
build real confidence, not juston stage, but in everyday
(01:10):
conversations.
Today, I'm sharing threeimprov-inspired confidence hacks
, verified by PsychologyResearch.
These aren't about pretendingto be confident.
They're about unlocking theconfidence you already have and
using it when you need it most.
We'll start with a conversationhack that can cut social stress
in half and help you handle anyinteraction with ease.
(01:31):
One of the most effectivetechniques for keeping
conversations alive is the yesand power move from improv.
This simple shift is aboutaccepting what someone says and
then adding to it, whichinstantly makes any interaction
more dynamic.
Instead of worrying aboutsaying the wrong thing or
freezing up, you focus onbuilding momentum together.
(01:53):
It's kind of like a toned-downversion of the TV show Whose
Line Is it Anyway?
So if someone remarks this roomfeels like a freezer, you might
reply yeah, and we should starthanding out jackets with the
agenda.
The conversation does installand it keeps rolling and both
people feel more engaged.
The yes-and approach worksbecause it changes your role
(02:16):
from gatekeeper to collaborator,and research shows that
accepting and contributing ideas, rather than evaluating,
evaluating, frees up brain powerfor genuine connection.
When you're not stuck onediting yourself or searching
for the perfect words, you canactually listen and respond in
real time, and that's why somany improv actors and
(02:37):
communicators rely on thisprinciple to stay present and
connected.
Here's a great example, and itcomes from author and speaker
Christine Michelle Carter, whoused improv to overcome her own
perfectionism.
During a session, her teacherreminded her practice isn't
about being perfect.
It just makes your worst better.
And for a bit of context here,according to her website, her
(02:59):
live event speaking fee isbetween $30,000 and $50,000.
And I hope that gets yourattention.
That's what yes and does forconversations.
It trains you to keep movingforward even if your response
isn't flawless.
The goal isn't to impress.
It's to participate and keepthe exchange alive.
So you don't have to be onstage to use this.
(03:22):
Try it with a friend orcolleague.
Pick any topic and make everyresponse start with yes and
You'll notice the conversationflows more easily and you spend
less time worrying about awkwardsilences and running out of
things to say.
This simple shift dissolvesdead-end responses and builds
authentic rapport, because bothpeople feel heard and valued.
(03:43):
Ultimately, yes and isn't aboutbeing clever or quick-witted.
It's about staying in themoment and trusting that you can
handle what comes next, even ifit's unexpected.
And the more you practice this,the more natural it feels to
keep moving forward, regardlessof how perfect your words are.
So you may be thinking but whathappens when things don't go
(04:06):
smoothly, when you say the wrongthing or make a mistake in
front of others?
And that's where the nextprinciple comes in, and it can
actually make you more confidentevery time you stumble.
Look, mistakes are inevitable,but it's the way you handle them
that can transform yourconfidence.
In improv, failure isn't aboutsomething to avoid.
(04:27):
It's something to practice.
One of the core exercises isthe failure game, where
performers intentionally mess upand then announce I failed with
a big, dramatic bow.
This may sound odd, but it's aproven way to train your brain
to recover quickly instead offreezing up.
Research shows that improvexercises like this can actually
(04:49):
boost resilience and well-being, helping you to adapt to
unexpected situations and bounceback faster when things go
wrong.
The failure bow is effectivebecause it turns an awkward
moment into a physical gesture.
Instead of shrinking away aftera slip-up, you acknowledge it
with a confident nod, a smile oreven a quick bow.
This signals to everyone,including yourself, that you're
(05:12):
not rattled by the mistake andthat you're ready to move
forward.
Improv theaters teach this toall kinds of people, from
students to businessprofessionals, because it helps
break the cycle ofself-criticism and anxiety that
perfectionism often creates.
You know I've mentioned thismany times when you own your
mistakes openly, people actuallytrust you more.
(05:35):
They see you as authentic andresilient If you forget
someone's name.
Instead of pretending orgetting flustered, you might say
your name just escaped me.
Can you remind me?
That kind of honesty doesn'tweaken your presence.
It builds connection.
That kind of honesty doesn'tweaken your presence.
It builds connection.
(05:55):
In improv, some of the bestscenes come from unexpected
mistakes.
A stumble can spark creativityand make the moment more
memorable than anything you hadplanned.
I mentioned a minute ago whatChristine Carter's coach said to
her about practice.
Shifting from fearing mistakesto seeing them as opportunities
for her growth helped her becomea more confident communicator.
Stomping Ground Comediesworkshops have shown that even
in high-pressure corporateenvironments, practicing with
(06:17):
intentional mistakes can turnanxiety into playful confidence.
By redefining what successmeans not as getting everything
right but as handling whatevercomes, you can lower the
pressure and actually performbetter.
Under stress, conversationsbecome easier and you start to
feel more at ease, even whenthings don't go perfectly.
This mindset is a foundationfor building real confidence.
(06:39):
Of course, even with thisapproach, nerves can still get
the best of you, especially whenall eyes are on you.
That's where a simple groundingtechnique used by actors can
make a big difference, helpingyou stay calm and focused when
your mind wants to race ahead.
Actors rely on a simpletechnique called the 10-second
(07:00):
grounding trick.
It's a quick sensory check inthat immediately centers your
attention and breaks a cycle ofanxious thoughts.
The most common version is thefive senses method, adapted from
improv warm-ups.
Here performers pause andquietly name five things they
can see, four they can touch,three that they can hear, two
(07:20):
that they can smell and one thatthey can taste.
This active scan draws yourmind away from spiraling worries
back into the present moment.
Improv classes teach exerciseslike this to help students
manage stage fright and feelawkward silences, because it's
hard to overthink when you'refocused on your surroundings.
Actors call this a groundingexercise because listing your
(07:42):
five senses immediately pullsyou into the present and stops
your mind from racing.
Improv and mindfulness researchagree that sensory grounding
cuts anxiety faster than deepbreathing alone.
By anchoring yourself in what'sreal and immediate, you
interrupt the mental loop ofwhat-ifs and self-criticism.
This isn't just for performers.
(08:03):
Anyone can use it, whetheryou're about to speak in a
meeting, walk into a socialevent or start a challenging
conversation.
You can use this trick anywhereand no one else has to notice.
If you're holding a pen.
Feels texture.
Listen for the famousbackground sound like the hum of
a vent or the shuffle of papers, notice the color of a wall or
(08:24):
the pattern of the carpet oreven the temperature of the air.
These tiny details becomeanchors that keep you steady.
One TED speaker says she calmsher nerves by silently counting
ceiling tiles.
Small, intentional actions likethese reset your brain just
enough to get out of your headand into the moment.
Let's try a quick exercise.
(08:46):
Grab your phone or camera andlook around and notice five
items.
You see right now that smallaction reset your brain in under
10 seconds.
You don't need to close youreyes or do any special breathing
, just let your senses do allthe work.
Once you make grounding a habit, you'll notice conversations
(09:07):
and presentations feel lessdaunting.
You're not stuck in your head,you're actually present and
engaged.
This shift creates thefoundation for real, lasting
confidence, and something youcan practice every day.
Remember, confidence grows whenyou put these techniques into
action, not just think aboutthem.
So choose one hack, try yes,and at dinner tonight, or use a
(09:31):
grounding exercise beforetomorrow's meeting and see how
quickly you feel more at ease.
Improv principles are designedto help you trust yourself in
the moment, so you'll notice theshift immediately.
Drop a comment.
Which hack.
Did you try and how did itchange your confidence?
Remember, confidence isn'tabout perfection.
It's about showing up andstaying engaged even when things
(09:53):
get messy.
That's the improv mindset andit works far beyond the stage.
Again, we're looking forprogress, not perfection.
That's all for today.
Be sure to visitspeakingwithconfidencepodcastcom
to get your free e-book the Top21 Challenges for Public
Speakers and how to Overcomethem.
You can also register for theFormula for Public Speaking
(10:15):
course.
Always remember your voice is apower changer.
We'll talk to you next time.
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