Experts are often invited to speak.
If you’re a manager, an industry expert, or a well-known professional, chances are you’ve been—or will be—invited as a guest speaker. Maybe you’re asked to talk about leadership, innovation, or your area of expertise. And let’s be honest, being a guest speaker sounds exciting at first. It feels like a validation of your knowledge and experience. But then, hesitation sets in. You start thinking:
“What if I mess up?”
“What if I don’t connect with the audience?”
“What if I end up sounding boring or irrelevant?”
The truth is, many guest speakers do end up failing on stage—not because they lack knowledge but because they try too hard to impress. They walk onto the stage thinking, “I need to blow them away with how smart I am.” And in the process, they forget the most important thing: It’s not about you. It’s about them. You’re there to serve, not to impress.
I know this firsthand. When I first started speaking on accountability, personal excellence, and teamwork, I thought it was all about making an impact. And by impact, I meant dazzling them with my wisdom. But the real breakthrough came when I shifted my mindset. Instead of trying to look good on stage, I focused on delivering something useful. It changed everything.
Your speech is not about making you look good. It’s about giving your audience something valuable they can use.
1. Know Who You’re Talking To
When I started out, I would walk into speaking engagements thinking, “I have a great speech prepared, and it’s going to be amazing.” But that’s not enough. You need to understand your audience. Before stepping on stage, I always ask myself, “Who are they? What are they struggling with? What do they care about?” Once you get that, you can tailor your message to resonate with them. It’s like telling a joke—if you don’t know your audience, you might get silence instead of laughter.
2. Grab Their Attention Early
I’ve seen many guest speakers stumble because they start slow. They spend too much time introducing themselves or listing their accomplishments. Your audience doesn’t have time for that. Start with a bang. Share a story, ask a thought-provoking question, or drop a surprising fact. I often begin with, “Do you know why most teams fail?” That question immediately hooks the audience because it hits something they care about.
3. Be Relatable—Use Stories
One of the biggest mistakes I made early on was trying to sound too professional, too polished. I thought if I shared personal stories, it would make me look weak. But people relate to stories, especially the real, messy, human ones. I now share my struggles—the times I’ve messed up, the challenges I’ve faced in leadership. And guess what? That’s when people lean in. Your audience doesn’t want a superhero. They want someone who’s been where they are.
4. Keep It Real
You don’t need to be perfect. In fact, trying to be perfect makes you come off as fake. I’ve been in situations where I’ve lost my train of thought or stumbled over a word. The key is to own it. One time, I completely blanked in the middle of a speech. Instead of panicking, I said, “Looks like I got too excited about that last point. Let’s reset.” People laughed, and I could feel the connection deepening. Authenticity trumps perfection every time.
5. Prepare, But Don’t Over-Prepare
I used to rehearse my speech until it was almost robotic. But you don’t want to sound like a machine. Preparation is key, yes, but you also need room for flexibility. Some of the best moments I’ve had on stage were unplanned. I saw a reaction from the audience and decided to explore a point further. Over-preparation kills spontaneity. Let your speech breathe.
6. Use Humor—But Be Careful
Humor can make your speech unforgettable, but it’s a double-edged sword. If the joke falls flat, you risk losing the room. I’ve found that light, self-deprecating humor works best. I once shared how I fumbled during a high-stakes meeting. The audience loved it because it showed I wasn’t some untouchable expert. Just remember—humor should complement your message, not distract from it.
7. Focus on Adding Value
Early on, I gave a talk about accountability, thinking I needed to wow the crowd with how much I knew. By the end, I realized I had just overwhelmed them with information. Now, my approach is different. I always ask, “What will they find useful? What can they apply right away?” People remember speeches that help them solve problems, not ones that show off your brilliance.
8. Stick to One Clear Message
The worst thing you can do is try to cover too much. I once attended a talk where the speaker tried to tackle five big ideas in one go. It was overwhelming. Now, when I speak, I focus on one main message and build everything around that. For example, if I’m talking about personal excellence, I’ll emphasize one key takeaway: “Excellence is a habit, not a talent.” When you have one clear message, your audience leaves with something memorable.
9. Move with Purpose
Your body speaks louder than your words. I learned this during one of my first public speaking gigs. I was stiff, barely moving, and it made the whole presentation feel flat. Now, I move around the stage, but not aimlessly. Every gesture, every step has a purpose. When you move intentionally, it adds power to your words. And remember, eye contact matters—a lot.
10. End with a Challenge
Don’t just end with, “Thank you.” End with something powerful. I like to challenge my audience. After one of my speeches on teamwork, I said, “When you leave this room, I want you to ask yourself: What’s one thing I can do to make my team better tomorrow?” Ending with a challenge or a call to action makes your message stick. You’re not just giving them information—you’re sparking change.
As a guest speaker, your role is not to impress but to inspire and empower. The next time you take the stage, remember: It’s not about you. It’s about how you can make a difference for them.
