I nearly cut him from the event. · Compelling Communicators

I nearly cut him from the event.

Stu Muir is a force of nature. Farmer, surfer, Chair of the Endangered Species Foundation, eco-tourist operator. A real local character with a passion for species restoration that's infectious when you talk to him one-on-one.

But at several workshops, his preparation was far behind the other speakers. His points were muddy. He kept losing his way. I discussed with the other coaches whether he should be dropped.

Then something shifted at the second-to-last workshop.

Stu realised he wasn't up to scratch. And he took action with almost religious fervour. He threw himself into the O-A Technique I teach—recording, listening, drilling, refining. By the final workshop, he looked much better.

On the day of TEDxUoWaikato, he was noticeably nervous at first. But he soon settled. And then his personality did what it does best: it infected the audience.

𝗛𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗺𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳.

He delivered like a pro.

This is what happens when you know your material so well you don't have to think about it. You're not frozen in fear. You're not trapped wondering what comes next. You can relax. You can connect. You can actually enjoy the moment.

Stu went from nearly being cut to owning that stage.

The work isn't glamorous. Recording yourself over and over. Listening critically. Drilling chunks until they're second nature. But when you stand up there and know your stuff cold, the nerves don't disappear—they just stop running the show.

What's a moment when preparation gave you the freedom to perform? 😉

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