Speaking With Confidence, Clarity, and ConvictionElaine Belson, LCSW, talks with Diane DiResta about self-authority, public speaking, and communication as a leadership skill in presentations, meetings, one-to-one conversations, and online. Drawing on her experience as a speaking coach and author of Knockout Presentations, Diane shares practical ways to reduce fear, build confidence through practice, and speak with greater presence. Key topicsWhy fear of humiliation can hold speakers back—and why it helps to have a plan for recovering from mistakes.How repetition, preparation, and feedback build confidence.Why a clear structure helps speakers avoid rambling and communicate with authority.How public speaking skills apply in everyday conversations, meetings, podcasts, and video.The importance of mindset, audience awareness, and aligning vocal, visual, and verbal communication.Speaking up in male-dominated environments, responding when an idea is overlooked, and adapting to an audience without losing authenticity.Timestamps00:22 - Diane’s freshman-year public speaking story 02:16 - Fear of humiliation and recovery strategies 03:13 - Turning nervous energy into confidence 04:09 - Building confidence through repetition and practice 05:18 - Preparation and delivery 06:04 - Public speaking as everyday communication 07:59 - How structure prevents rambling 10:07 - The mindset: “I have a right to be here” 12:11 - Imposter syndrome and overthinking others’ reactions 14:49 - Adapting to an audience while staying authentic 16:21 - Speaking in male-dominated fields 17:38 - Clear language instead of hedging or apologizing 20:54 - Emotions at work 23:08 - Shifting focus from self to service 24:03 - Situational speaking 28:43 - Timing, bias, and whether ideas land 30:51 - Reading audience body language 33:56 - Embracing mistakes 36:24 - Humor and grace under pressure 39:19 - Being yourself rather than a copy 40:06 - Matching your message to your audience 42:11 - Mindset and skill set 47:39 - Communication as a leadership skill About Diane DiRestaDiane DiResta, Certified Speaking Professional, is Founder and CEO of DiResta Communications, Inc., a New York City consultancy serving business leaders who deliver high-stakes presentations one-to-one, on stage, or virtually. She is the author of Knockout Presentations: How to Deliver Your Message with Power, Punch, and Pizzazz and has spoken on four continents. Diane has been featured on CNN and quoted in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. ZoneofGenius.com named her to its list of Top 20 Speaker Coaches and Trainers. Thanks for the invite to come ealry, Her LinkedIn Learning course, Speaking Confidently and Effectively, ranked among the Top 20 Most Popular Courses for two consecutive years. Press: https://www.diresta.com/pressLinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/dianedirestaWebsite: http://www.diresta.comYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/dianediresta.comConnect with Elaine!LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/elainebelsonlcswFree Discovery Call: https://zcal.co/esbelsonlcswc/15minWebsite: https://www.TheSelfAuthorityCoach.comJoin Elaine for a LIVE event to learn how to “Speak Up with Courage & Authority” on October 20, 2026: https://liz-lopez.mykajabi.com/speak-up
