Public speaking is a core leadership skill, but it's one that makes many newly promoted leaders feel incredibly nervous.
According to award-winning broadcaster and sports journalist Ian Stringer, mastering this isn't just about technical skill; it's about mindset.
Ian has called over 600 live games, including Leicester City's historic Premier League win - a masterclass in high-pressure communication. He explains why he's "never been nervous" and how leaders can learn to handle the pressure of unscripted, high-stakes moments.
In this insightful conversation, Ian shares the exact techniques he's used to command a room for over 20 years, from the commentary box to the corporate awards stage. He explains the critical difference between a prepared script (a "crutch") and truly knowing your subject, providing practical tips like the "power of the pause" and "word economy" to deliver your message with clarity and impact.
This episode provides a powerful framework for "unwiring" old fears to "rewire" a more confident, engaging, and authentic leadership presence.
In this episode, you will learn:
(04:04) The Duck Paddling Under the Water?: Ian reveals whether he really feels nervous before a high-pressure broadcast.
(06:33) Handling the FA Cup Final: The simple, powerful advice Ian’s coach gave him to stay focused during a high-stakes moment.
(08:15) What's the Point?: Why focusing on your core message is the key to letting go of nerves about your hair or the flip chart.
(12:20) 101 Advice for New Leaders: Don't aim for a 10/10. Start by asking yourself one simple question: "What does success look like?".
(14:26) The Power of the Pause: A brilliant, practical tip to immediately regain the room when you feel you're losing your audience.
(19:10) Scripted vs. On-the-Fly: How to prepare for the unscripted moments that leaders often fear the most (but are usually best at).
(24:15) Word Economy: A lesson from football commentary on how to deliver your most important messages with maximum impact.
(27:40) Ditch the Crutch: Why over-relying on a script is a danger, and a great coaching trick to practice without it.
(31:30) The Leader Ian Admires: Why Gareth Southgate's "considered leadership" and ability to listen is so powerful.
Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Ian Stringer:
LinkedIn: Ian Stringer
X (Twitter): @StringerSport
Instagram: @StringerSport
Leader Mentioned:
Gareth Southgate (Former England Manager)
Claudio Ranieri (Former Leicester City Manager)
Richard Brooks Harley (Former Leader/Mentor)
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Music, jingles, and images - attribution.
Podcast Background Track: https://pixabay.com/users/poorartistt-45918667/
Guitar Jingle: https://pixabay.com/music/introoutro-guitar-intro-ident-151972/
Swoosh Sound Effect: https://pixabay.com/users/universfield-28281460/
Images: https://gemini.google/overview/image-generation/ & https://www.perplexity.ai/
Background: https://pixabay.com/users/tommyvideo-3092371/
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