Mastering Communication as a Tech Leader with Geoffrey Huck

In this episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, Geoffrey Huck, a former software engineer turned public speaking coach, shares his personal journey of overcoming social anxiety and fear of public speaking. He emphasizes the importance of communication skills for tech leaders and offers strategies for becoming more confident in public speaking. Geoffrey also discusses the misconceptions about presenting in front of audiences and the impact of effective communication on career advancement and personal life. He shares success stories of helping leaders improve their speaking skills and provides tips for preparing for speaking engagements.

Takeaways

• Overcoming social anxiety and fear of public speaking requires deliberate exposure to fears and practicing in non-stake situations.

• Tech leaders often underestimate the importance of communication skills, but they are crucial for career advancement and inspiring teams.

• Crafting a captivating opening and varying the rhythm of a speech are key strategies for keeping the audience engaged.

• Effective communication skills are essential in various aspects of life, including personal relationships and job interviews.

• Training on camera and watching oneself can help improve naturalness and identify areas for improvement in public speaking.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction: Geoffrey's Journey from Software Engineer to Public Speaking Coach
• 03:23 Overcoming Social Anxiety and Fear of Public Speaking
• 08:31 Misconceptions about Presenting in Front of Audiences
• 14:20 Success Story: Changing the Trajectory of a CEO's Career
• 16:48 Mistakes in Workshop and Conference Presentations
• 18:07 The Future of Communication in Tech Leadership
• 20:01 The Reward of Helping Leaders Overcome Fears and Master Public Speaking
• 21:29 Three Tips for Preparing for Speaking Engagements

Guest’s Website:

⁠https://geoffreyhuck.com/⁠

Guest’s Social Media Link:

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffrey-huck/⁠

Resources and Links:

⁠https://www.hireclout.com⁠

⁠https://www.podcast.hireclout.com⁠

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hirefasthireright/⁠