Nicole Bugeja - Public Speaking and Performance Coach

Speaking Too Fast?

Speaking too fast is very common.

One of the first things I often point out when coaching someone towards a public speech is to slow down.

Speaking quickly is often considered a sign of nervousness, and it certainly can be. Very often, however, it is simply the result of thinking faster than we speak (and, of course, the two can be interrelated).

Slowing down comes with several benefits. It gives us time to breathe and think, and it gives our audience time to process.

Whatever the reason behind the fast pace, there is a very straightforward way to slow down:

Focus on articulation.

Make sure you are opening your jaw enough for the voice to emerge fully. You might be surprised by how closed your mouth actually is when speaking.

Make sure you are giving the consonants their due attention. Similar to how a sculptor shapes a statue, speech becomes clearer when the details are well defined.

Write down ARTICULATION at the top of your notes or script, and perhaps a couple more times along the way. Or have a small symbol or object (a ring, perhaps?) as a reminder to keep articulating.

If you give each word its due articulation, you will automatically settle into a more balanced pace of speaking, allowing you to come across with greater clarity and authentic confidence.

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Last month, I had the honour and pleasure of coaching the senior management team of the ERA - Environment & Resources Authority.

It was an engaging and stimulating day, made all the more enjoyable by the team's openness, energy, and willingness to participate fully in the process.

Our work focused on public speaking, media communication, and the challenges that come with communicating clearly and effectively in high-visibility contexts.

The quality of discussion and brainstorming throughout the session made for a particularly rich learning environment, with valuable exchanges from all involved.

Thank you to ERA for placing your trust in my services. It was a genuine pleasure to collaborate with you.

Have you ever left a meeting wishing you had spoken up?

During coaching sessions, I am always intrigued by that particular moment when a professional is about to contribute in a staff or board meeting and hesitates.

What creates this hesitation?

Common answers include the fear of forgetting what one needs to say, getting stuck and coming across as a 'fool', or feeling that one's reflection is not valid enough to share.

Sometimes, the situation goes beyond hesitation and into actual fear. The person feels unable to get their voice out, unable to utter the words, as if someone or something has placed a barrier in their throat.

There may be several factors contributing to a professional not sharing what is often a very valuable contribution, be they physiological, psychological, or otherwise.

That contribution, however, need not be lost.

With willing practice, and perhaps some training in vocal dynamics, confidence building, and public speaking, expressing oneself can start to feel easier and more natural — a process that may also have a positive impact on one's professional growth and career advancement.

Nicole Bugeja - Public Speaking and Performance Coach Nicole Bugeja (Ph.D.) is an accredited Public Speaking and Performance Coach, a theatre performer and artistic director, and an academic researcher and lecturer.

Nothing like an entitled CEO to help you kick off your weekend ;)

What Elections Can Teach Us About Public Speaking

Over the past few weeks, I have observed a number of public speakers addressing large crowds in the lead-up to Malta's general election.

I have seen a range of styles, different levels of confidence, and of course, varying content.

One aspect I found myself consistently observing was how grounded each speaker was in their body.

I noticed the position of the feet on the ground or stage, the steadiness in the legs and centre, the alignment of the spine, the presence or absence of tension in the neck and face, and how all of this influenced breathing, vocal strength, and the overall flow of the delivery.

The opportunity to observe so many speakers within the same context over a short period of time reinforced something that actor training has taught me repeatedly: every part of our physical presence contributes to the outcome of a performance.

The quality of a speech does not begin with the voice. It begins much earlier, with how we inhabit our body.

If you are a regular public speaker, becoming more aware of how each aspect of your physical presence contributes to your delivery can add another layer of strength to your communication.

Banshee...making theatre wherever she lounges in the house 🌚🐾

🎤 What every speaker should ask before stepping on stage

I was coaching a team of managers and their CEO who regularly have public speaking appearances, and one recurring frustration emerged:

They are invited to deliver a presentation, appear for an interview, or speak publicly and are generally informed at the very last minute.

Sometimes, key details are missing too: Who is the audience? How long is the slot? What is the tone expected? Will there be questions? Who else is speaking?

Public speaking already places us in a vulnerable position and preparation is not a luxury. We are being seen, heard, evaluated, and interpreted in real time and we need to communicate clearly, calmly, and effectively.

When speakers are given little notice or insufficient information, they are not simply being inconvenienced but they are being deprived of the grounding process that allows presence, clarity, and confidence to emerge.

Good communication does not begin on stage but long before that, in the quality of preparation that is made possible.

So perhaps, before inviting someone to speak, we might ask ourselves:

• Have I given this person enough time to prepare?
• Have I provided the necessary context?
• Am I supporting this speaker to succeed?
• What kind of communication culture am I helping to create?

I’ve also put together a short list of useful questions speakers can ask beforehand to prepare more effectively. Feel free to reach out if you’d like me to send it across. 🌿

When you do work on a Friday ✍️📖, but make sure to kick in the weekend vibes while you're at it 😎