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As a leader, you're going to have to talk. From boardroom presentations to team meetings, public speaking is an unavoidable reality of leadership—yet it's often the skill we're least prepared for when stepping into leadership roles.

The question becomes, "How can leaders prepare to step behind the podium and truly connecting with their audience?"
In this episode, Matt Drinkhahn, high-performance coach and host of The Eternal Optimist podcast, will explore the fundamental shift that turns average speakers into exceptional ones. Matt reveals his journey from focusing on himself (his appearance, his memorized script, his performance) to genuinely serving his audience - pivotally reorienting everything about his speaking effectiveness.
Drawing from his experience delivering over 175 speeches to audiences of up to 2,000 people, Matt shares practical frameworks for speech construction, including the "spider web" approach that liberates you from memorizing every word while maintaining focus on your central message. You'll hear candid stories about his biggest speaking disasters—from splitting his pants onstage to completely freezing mid-presentation—and how these moments became invaluable learning opportunities rather than career-ending catastrophes.
This episode offers actionable strategies for preparation, delivery, and recovery when things inevitably go sideways.

Learn how to read a room, pivot when necessary, leverage modern tools like AI for preparation, and collect meaningful feedback to continuously improve. Most importantly, discover how shifting your focus from impressing to serving creates an authentic connection that resonates with any audience.
Ready to step up to the microphone with confidence? Listen now and transform your approach to one of leadership's most essential skills.

Trench Leadership: A Podcast From the Front is humbled to have been named #7 in the Top 20 for Best Canadian Leadership-themed podcasts for 2025.

Matt’s Episode Link:

Website: [email protected]

Matt’s Recommended Book/Movie/Podcast List:

Books:

1. Conversations worth Having by Stavros

2. Getting Naked by Lencioni

3. Ask by Mark Victor Hansen

4. The Road Less Stupid by Cunningham

5. Hard-Wired for Happiness by Kothari

6. Can’t Hurt Me by Goggins

7. The Pursuit of Happyness by Gardner

Podcasts:

1. Achieve

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Trench Leadership: A Podcast From the Front is humbled to have been named #5 in the Top 20 for Best Canadian Leadership-themed podcasts for 2025.

Connect to Trench Leadership:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYnaqOp1UvqTJhATzcizowA
Trench Leadership Website: www.trenchleadership.ca
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trench-leadership-a-podcast-from-the-front/?viewAsMember=true
Are you looking for a podcast editor/producer? Do you enjoy the quality of the show? The editor of Trench Leadership, Jennifer Lee, is taking new clients. Reach out at https://www.itsalegitbusiness.com.

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If you have a topic that you're passionate to hear more about, feel free to reach out at [email protected] to connect and share your ideas.