In Charismatic Presence, you offer actionable advice for becoming a more effective and authentic public speaker. Why was this an important book for you to write?

After over two decades working with professionals from across diverse industries– IT, Financial Services, Medical, Entrepreneurial–it felt like it was high time that I synthesized and put into writing the foundational principles I’ve learned and taught around maximizing presence and presentation skills. I see this book as part of my legacy, and hope that its availability can help people anywhere (and any time) find the answers, guidance, and courage they need to step up and share their genuine selves and important ideas on public stages. Writing this book is also a response to all of my coaching and training clients who have bugged me for years to write a book they can refer to when they need some guidance and bolstering, and I’m not there to give it to them!

Can you share with us a little about the research that went into putting your book together?

The content of my book was informed in three ways:

1. By my first-hand experience as a young professional actress in NYC and Hollywood, who had to learn the hard way how to bring a more confident, consistent presence to my auditions and interviews
2. By the countless hours I’ve spent over the past two-plus decades figuring out how to help hundreds of business professionals, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders (not to mention some scared-to-speak-in-public teens, fathers-of-the-bride-speech-givers, and don’t-make-me-do-it deliverers of wedding toasts) manage their limiting beliefs about presenting, create awesome pitches and presentations, and deliver them with confidence and clarity in high-stakes scenarios
3. Many wonderful books and articles that have allowed me to expand, bolster and affirm the basic principles of my work

What is one misconception you believe many people have about overcoming their apprehensions regarding public speaking?

I think one of the biggest misconceptions held by many people is that they need to completely overcome nervousness before speaking to a group. Everyone, including the most seasoned speakers, sometimes feel some level of pre-show “jitters” or adrenaline boost before they step into spotlight moments–it’s a natural physiological response to the situation. Trying to be 100% calm before you start is an impossible goal to hit, and can actually increase anxiety. The key is not to try to get rid of the feeling, but to work with it and find ways to not only minimize it but to manage and channel it into energy, focus, and connection with your audience of one or many. You can be both brave and afraid at the same time! Having the tools to manage those pre-show “jitters” can go a long way at amping up that bravery, which is one of the things I teach in my book.

What is one thing you hope readers are able to take away from your experiences?

That their wisdom, perspective, and big ideas matter; and that by honoring the five principles I share in the book, they really can show up, step up, and speak up on a public platform in an authentic, accessible manner that can make their message (and their presence) magnetic and memorable.

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