Little Voices, Big Stories
Coaching future leaders at a public-speaking camp — a reminder that confidence is built, not given. Inside: three ways to shine on Zoom, and how Sara Blakely turned a personal story into a billion-dollar brand.
Coaching the next generation: little voices, big confidence These young storytellers just reminded me why I love this work. This summer, I had the joy of coaching future leaders at a Tech + Public Speaking Camp — where curious minds discovered they have something powerful to say. We focused on the essentials that matter: Making eye contact to connect Using gestures to bring ideas to life Speaking loud enough to command the room Standing tall and feeling proud of their presence By Day 4, these kids were pitching their app ideas to mock judges and a room full of parents with the poise of seasoned pros. The real lesson? Confidence isn't a magic trait — it's something you build, step by step. These young voices didn't just learn how to speak up; they learned they deserve to be heard. The next generation is ready. The question is: are we ready to listen? Special thanks to Nidhi Taneja Jain, Owner of Whiz Learning Kids, for partnering to make this camp possible. Virtual public speaking: how to connect and shine online Want to stand out on Zoom? Your slides alone won't do it. Today's best virtual speakers turn a screen into a stage and make a presentation feel like a conversation. Three strategies to use right now: 1. Make it a dialogue, not a monologue — pause to invite questions, share polls, or call on someone by name. 2. Keep energy up with vocal variety — use changes in tone, pace, and pauses. Speak like you're telling a story, not reading a script. 3. Use visual anchors wisely — add a prop, hold up an object, or point to something off-screen, so people have something real to connect your message to. When you make virtual talks feel like real conversations, people lean in — and remember what you say. Storytellers in action: how Sara Blakely turned a personal story into a billion-dollar brand When Sara Blakely founded Spanx, she didn't have investors, a fancy team, or a marketing budget. What she did have was a story: cutting the feet off her pantyhose to get a smoother look under white pants. Instead of hiding that story, she shared it — on talk shows, store visits, even with customers in dressing rooms. That honesty and humor turned Spanx into a word-of-mouth phenomenon. Great founders don't just sell a product — they sell a story that makes people care. Neha Negandhi — CEO, Storyteller Tables · TEDx Speaker & Storytelling Coach