Are You The Same Off Stage As You Are On Stage?

🎤 + OPRAH WINFREY = REAL INTEGRITY IS DOING THE RIGHT THING, KNOWING THAT NOBODY’S GOING TO KNOW WHETHER YOU DID IT OR NOT.

What you do off stage is just as important as what you do on stage. ARE YOU THE SAME ON-STAGE AS YOU ARE OFF-STAGE? AN INSIGHT FOR PROFESSIONAL SPEAKERS.

Professional speakers and leaders frequently confront a pivotal question: Are they the same individual on stage as they are off stage? This inquiry is fundamentally important for maintaining integrity and confidence in any leadership role.

THE IMPORTANCE OF AUTHENTICITY: ALIGNING INTEGRITY WITH PUBLIC PERSONA

Indeed, being genuine both on and off stage is key. Audiences don’t just listen; they observe and sense. They perceive authenticity not only from your speeches but also from your daily interactions and behaviors. This is especially relevant as highlighted in the research by Hahl, Kim, & Zuckerman Sivan (2018). Consequently, professional speakers must consistently embody their truth, ensuring their public persona is in harmony with their private character.

LIVING WITH INTEGRITY: MORE THAN PERFORMANCE

Moreover, this issue extends beyond mere performance. It’s fundamentally about living with integrity and confidence in your truth. Consistency between your public and private self bolsters your credibility and strengthens your connection with your audience.

CONFIDENCE IN CONSISTENCY: THE RISK OF MISMATCH

Furthermore, if there’s a mismatch between these personas, it’s highly probable that audiences will detect this inconsistency. Such a discrepancy can undermine the trust and rapport you’ve built, diminishing the impact of your message.

EMBODYING VALUES: INTEGRITY IN ACTION

Additionally, this alignment goes beyond mere appearances. It’s about embodying the values and principles you advocate. When professional speakers practice what they preach, they set a powerful example, reinforcing their message and inspiring their audience. This congruence between words and actions not only enhances their credibility but also elevates their influence.

SELF-AWARENESS AND REFLECTION: BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND CREDIBILITY

Aligning your on-stage and off-stage persona requires continuous self-awareness and reflection. Professional speakers must regularly assess their actions and decisions to ensure they align with their spoken messages. This process not only fosters personal growth but also enhances their ability to lead and inspire effectively.

CONCLUSION: THE PILLARS OF INTEGRITY AND CONFIDENCE IN LEADERSHIP

In conclusion, the congruence between an individual’s on-stage and off-stage personas is not just desirable but essential for professional speakers and leaders. It’s a testament to their integrity, a cornerstone of their credibility, and a crucial factor in building lasting relationships with their audience. Therefore, embodying this consistency is paramount in the journey to becoming a truly impactful and respected leader.

🎤 MIC CHECK: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF OFF-STAGE PRESENCE

Three aspects are crucial for professional speakers and leaders regarding on-stage and off-stage alignment:

Authenticity
Imagine meeting someone who’s kind only for personal gain. That’s how audiences feel when they detect a disconnect between your on-stage and off-stage personas. This lack of authenticity harms trust, impacting your ability to connect with and influence your audience.

Credibility
Your off-stage presence significantly affects your credibility or ethos. If your off-stage behavior contradicts your on-stage image, your audience’s trust dwindles, reducing their likelihood to follow your lead.

Integrity
True integrity for professional speakers means aligning actions with words. If there’s a misalignment, it indicates a misuse of the leadership platform for personal agendas rather than serving the audience’s interests.

Remember, the essence of public speaking and leadership is to focus on the audience, not oneself. Building trust requires a balance of confidence and integrity in every aspect of your role.

Keep speaking up your story,

ENCORE: MORE TO EXPLORE

A SPEAKER’S INTEGRITY AS THE FOUNDATION FOR CONFIDENCE

Speakers must care about their off-stage presence as much as their on-stage performance. In this video, I address three key elements of a speaker’s off-stage presence. Click on the button below to learn more!

THEN THERE WAS THE TIME I FAKED IT TO BECOME IT…

Then there was the time I faked it until I made it…I mean, BECAME it. Confidence was not about trying to be someone I was not, although it felt like that most days. Confidence was about accepting myself for who I was.  Click on the button below to learn more!