In this episode of the SuperConnector Show podcast, host Paul Lancaster sat down with Helen von Dadelszen – a communication & vocal coach, founder of Present Potential & author of ‘Courageous Action: Your playbook for communicating confidently, one small step at a time’ based in Switzerland.
They discussed the common anxieties surrounding public speaking & team communication, offering practical strategies for experts, founders & leaders to share their messages effectively.
Communication is a Skill, Not a Talent
A key theme of the conversation is that effective communication is a ‘learned art’ rather than a natural gift. Even brilliant technical experts & academics can feel held back if they lack the tools to communicate their value.
Helen emphasised that whether you are an entrepreneur pitching for investment or a manager leading a team, communication is the primary way we connect with the world. Avoiding speaking opportunities limits your professional impact so it’s important to put yourself forward for opportunities, practice regularly & collect ‘evidence’ of your success build your confidence.
How to Manage Your Nervous System
Nerves are a natural physiological reaction to something important or new. Helen shared several techniques to help manage this ‘fight or flight’ response:
- The Physiological Sigh: To slow your heart rate & reset your nervous system, try inhaling normally through your nose, taking an extra sniff at the top to fill your lungs completely & releasing a long, slow sigh out.
- Physical Grounding: If you feel ‘out of your body’, reconnect with your senses. Feel your feet firmly on the floor or focus intently on a physical object in your hand (like a pen or notepad) to calm your nervous system.
- The Anchor Technique: Use a small, subtle physical action – like pressing your thumb into your palm or touching a ring on your finger – to remind yourself that you are safe & in control.
- Reframing Negative Self-Talk: Identify your internal dialogue (e.g. “I’m not an expert” or “My accent is weird”). Catch these thoughts, challenge their truth & reframe them into something more supportive.
The ‘Think, Feel, Do’ Framework
When preparing for any interaction which requires you to speak up – whether it’s a pitch, a board meeting or a conference talk – Helen suggests focusing on what you want the audience to experience:
- Think: What do you want them to know?
- Feel: What emotional state do you want them to be in?
- Do: What is the final call to action?
By shifting the spotlight from yourself to the audience’s needs (“What’s in it for them?”), you move away from feeling the need to impress with your knowledge or experience & toward actual connection.
Better Meetings: Quality Over Quantity
The discussion also tackled common pitfalls in team meetings, noting that they are often poorly designed lectures rather than collaborative problem-solving sessions. Helen’s advice for more effective meetings includes:
- The Pre-Read Strategy: Use memos or pre-recorded video presentations so that the actual time together can be spent on high-value discussion & decision-making.
- The Leader’s Role: Leaders should hold off on sharing their opinion until the end of the meeting. This prevents ‘groupthink’ & allows the team to contribute their diverse perspectives first.
- Strategic Silence: Be comfortable with silence. Sometimes, listening more than you speak is the most powerful communication tool you have.
Final Thought
You don’t need to feel 100% confident to communicate effectively. Confidence comes after you do the work & collect the experience. As Helen puts it, the goal is to manage your reactions so you can continue moving forward & act courageously.
To find out more about Helen’s work, visit https://presentpotential.ch or connect with her on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/helen-von-dadelszen. You can also buy her ‘Courageous Action’ book on Amazon.
ps You can also listen to this interview (& more) on Paul’s ‘SuperConnector Show’ podcast which is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible or Spreaker via our ‘Podcasts‘ page.
