You’re Not an Actor. You’re a Speaker. Be Real.

You’re Not an Actor. You’re a Speaker. Be Real.

In the world of speaking, there’s room for drama. 

There’s space for stories, gestures, and stagecraft. 

But make no mistake - you are not an actor.

When people walk into a theatre, they know they’re watching a character. 

They suspend disbelief, accept that someone is delivering someone else’s lines, and willingly immerse themselves in fiction.

But when people walk into a talk or log on to a webinar, they’re expecting something different.

They want you.

Not a polished persona. Not a performance. 

They want to hear your voice, your convictions, your insights. 

They’re not there to see how well you can mimic a TED Talk—they’re there because they believe you have something to say.

They don’t want perfect. They want present.

We’ve all seen speakers who looked like they rehearsed in front of a mirror for days—and somehow, still missed the mark. 

Why? 

Because something felt off. The tone too practiced. The gestures too choreographed. The energy too… controlled.

It’s the speaking version of a showroom mannequin: well-dressed, perfectly posed—and completely lifeless.

When people sense you’re “presenting” rather than connecting, they switch off. 

It doesn’t matter how brilliant your words are—if your audience smells inauthenticity, they tune out. 

They don’t want to feel like they’re watching a speech. They want to feel like they’re in a conversation.

Real beats rehearsed.

Yes, rehearse. Yes, prepare. 

But prepare to be yourself—not a version of yourself you think will be more impressive. 

Don’t mimic a speaker you admire. Find your own voice.

Great speakers don’t act. They feel. They believe. They reveal.

They use storytelling, yes. They build drama, sure. They move with purpose. 

But none of it feels staged. It feels alive—because it is.

What your audience is really looking for:

• Honesty, not performance

• Energy, not entertainment

• Belief, not bravado

• Connection, not charisma

They want to know: “Do you mean what you’re saying?” 

Because if you do, they’ll listen—even if your hands are shaking, even if you stumble over a word.

You don’t need to be perfect. You need to be human.

Let your passion leak through your voice. Let your message come from the gut, not just the script. Let your gestures be felt, not forced. 

And when you do—all the theatrics, all the techniques—they’ll serve you. Not the other way around.

Because the best speakers don’t “act” confident. 

They show up fully themselves—and that’s what makes them magnetic.