Confidence Building for New Moderators

Sometimes you need a life jacket ... not because you can't swim, but because it gives you the confidence to try something new. My dog, Ranger, donned his life jacket on Saturday for his first dock diving class. Being new to the sport, I wasn't sure how quickly dogs took to swimming. I wanted both of us to feel confident in our latest adventure! The experience had me considering how we can give our teammates "life jackets" to wear when wading into new waters. As leaders, we can't be the only ones diving into the deep end. We need our staff to learn how to tread water and have the confidence to jump into the unknown. Here are a few ways to build your team's confidence: • Say “I trust you.” — People who have worked under micromanagers may second-guess their instincts and recommendations. Acknowledge their expertise and decision-making abilities. When team members feel trusted, they’re more likely to take calculated risks and explore new opportunities. Knowing their supervisor has their back can give them the confidence to push forward. • Compliment their communications. — When you observe someone handling a tough situation well, point out what you saw them doing right. For example: “During that conversation, you handled their concerns well. I appreciate how steady you are in conflict and how you pulled in the data to support your recommendation.” Positive reinforcement boosts confidence and motivates them to keep pushing boundaries. • Give people talking points for tough conversations. — For a new manager, providing constructive feedback can feel daunting. Share best practices and give them a handful of sentences you would use if you were in their shoes. • Offer training and professional development opportunities. — Send webinars, workshops and cohort-based groups to help your team strengthen skills and grow confidence. One of my most valuable experiences as a new leader was a 360 degree review through Eager Labs! It helped me see my skills from new perspectives. • Normalize feedback. — Create an environment where feedback is constructive and frequent. Encourage peer-to-peer feedback, and emphasize its importance for growth. With writers, I like to encourage peer editing because it strengthens the skills of both the writer and the reviewer! And, when everyone participates in giving feedback, it becomes less intimidating. • Share insights from “below the surface.” — As a leader, there are decisions and discussions your team might not be a part of. When it’s time for them to become involved, share relevant information (as appropriate) to give them context and history to support better decision-making and problem-solving. 💡 How do you ensure your team feels prepared and supported as they explore uncharted waters?

Confidence isn’t born—it’s built. The Good News? You can start building it today. Try one of these: 1️⃣ Start a “confidence file” Receive a compliment on a project? Screenshot it. Someone said something kind about your leadership in a meeting? Write it down. Create a folder on your desktop or phone and drop these moments in—it’s your personal highlight reel for when self-doubt shows up. 2️⃣ Use confident body language—even on Zoom Sit up straight, keep your shoulders relaxed, and look into the camera when you speak. Confident posture changes how you feel and how others perceive you. (Bonus: people trust you more when they can see your eyes.) 3️⃣ Ask for feedback before it’s offered When you invite feedback proactively, you stay in the driver’s seat. Ask questions like, “What’s one thing I could improve for next time?” It shows you’re open to growth—and that builds trust and credibility. 4️⃣ Set a mini goal and actually celebrate it Pick something doable this week—like speaking up in a meeting or publishing a post. When you hit it, celebrate it. Small wins create momentum, and momentum builds confidence. These are just a few of the tools we’ll dig into with Delores Druilhet Morton, CEO of Step Up, this week on Coffee With Kim. Delores has spent her career helping others step into leadership with clarity and confidence. I can’t wait to talk to her about how we close the confidence gap—especially in high-pressure, high-stakes moments. We’ll cover: ✅ How to identify and lean into your strengths ✅ What to do when rejection or overwhelm hits ✅ How to welcome feedback without letting it shake your confidence Whether you’re climbing the ladder, pivoting careers, or just feeling a little stuck, this conversation is for you. 📅 Join us live or subscribe to Coffee With Kim wherever you get your podcasts. And tell me in the comments—what’s one thing that makes you feel confident?

Want to get the best from your new starters?   Here’s the truth most people won’t tell you   It’s not about onboarding videos, the promise of pizza & beer on Fridays, It’s not even about shadowing your top biller.   It’s about giving them clarity, confidence, and connection from day one.   Here’s how to do that 👇   1. Be painfully clear on what good looks like. If success is a mystery, expect confusion. Show them the difference between what “good" looks like and what "great” means in your business.   2. Don’t overwhelm - layer learning. They don’t need everything in week one. Start with confidence-building wins. It takes 3-6 months for everything to become clear.   3. Give them structured practice. Mock calls. Feedback. Live listening. The faster they experience the work, the faster they grow.   4. Build trust early. They should know they can ask “silly” questions.   5. Show them the ‘why’ behind your metrics. If KPIs are just numbers, they’ll chase the wrong things. Show how activity connects to results, and they’ll care more.   Most new starters don’t fail because they’re lazy or unskilled.   They fail because they feel lost.   Give them direction. Give them tools. Give them belief.   And watch what happens. Finally - Set a 30-day mission. One clear goal, one focus. Give them purpose, not a jungle of to-dos. What else would you add?

He had the answers. But couldn’t say a word. One of my clients came to me frustrated.   He was the most prepared person in the room. He’d done the research. He even coached his colleague before the meeting. But when they faced the customer, he froze. And the colleague answered everything.   Not because he knew more. But because he wasn’t trapped in what-if mode.   ❌ What if I mess up? ❌ What if I don’t sound smart? ❌ What if I don’t belong here?   This wasn’t a skill problem. It was a confidence problem.    Here’s what I told him:   🎯 You don’t need to sound smart. ↳ You need to sound sure. 🎯 You don’t need perfect answers. ↳ You need present energy. 🎯 You don’t need to lead the room. ↳ You need to trust that you belong in it.   Before your next big meeting, try these:   💡 How to build confidence before your next big meeting: 1. Say it loud: “I can do this. I’ve done harder things than this.” → Prime your brain for action, not anxiety. 2. Remind yourself: “If they invited me, I belong here.” → You’re not here to prove yourself. You already belong. 3. You don’t need to know everything. → You need to bring what they can’t Google. 4. Say this: “I’m not here to impress. I’m here to make an impact.” → Focus on service, not approval. 5. They’re not judging you. They’re hoping you’ll help. → This is collaboration, not performance. 6. Tell yourself: “There is no stupid question or answer.” → You’re not here to be perfect. You’re here to be useful. 7. Revisit one win where you showed up and delivered. → Let your story remind you who you are. 8. Prepare 3 backup angles for your idea. → If Plan A doesn’t land, be ready with B or C. 9. Script your opener. Make your closing even stronger. → Start strong, finish stronger. 10. Power pose for 30 seconds. → Stand straight Let your posture lead your confidence. 11. Take two rounds of 4–6 breathing. → Inhale for 4. Exhale for 6. Reset your calm. You don’t need more prep. You need more permission to trust yourself when it counts. Let me know in the comments. What would you add as point 12?   🔁 Repost this if you're ready to speak with confidence. 🔔 Follow Harit Bhasin for leadership & career strategies.

12 Days. 12 Common Challenges NEW Leaders Face...DAY 7 (and practical ways to overcome them) When I moved across to manage a team in an area I didn’t have deep expertise, I felt anxious. I had been a manager, but over an area where I knew every detail. This area was new. So, what was I to do? Pretend I knew more than I did, OR open myself up to learn.   I chose the latter. I asked questions and let the team educate me. At the same time, I reminded myself that I wasn’t starting from zero. The skills, lessons, and experiences I carried with me were already proof that I could navigate new ground. I focused on understanding the people, the dynamics, the processes, and the stakeholders. I learned that confidence doesn’t come from knowing everything. It comes from knowing ENOUGH to guide, to make decisions, and to shape outcomes. It also comes from recognizing the track record you’ve already built. And it also comes from signaling calm assurance that steadies the team, even in uncertain moments. Here are practical ways to build confidence as a new manager: (Swipe for tips and challenges) ✅ Stack small wins -> Confidence builds gradually.  -> Celebrate progress and learn from each step.  -> Don’t forget to look back at the wins you’ve already achieved ✅ Ask and learn openly -> Curiosity shows strength, not weakness.  -> Use questions to deepen understanding. ✅ Seek feedback and support -> Peers, mentors, and coaches can help sharpen your confidence, not undermine it. ✅ Reframe self-talk -> Shift inner dialogue from doubt to possibility.  -> Confidence begins in how you speak to yourself. You don't need to have all the answers. But when you lead with openness, calm, and clarity... You give your team the assurance they need to follow your lead. 👉 Tomorrow: Challenge #8 — Managing conflict 👇 When has your confidence grown the most: from a past win, knowledge, experience, or something else? ♻️ Repost if this can help a new manager or leader build confidence. Follow me, Rekha Jillella for more leadership tips!

"You're such a natural when it comes to moderating and speaking in front of an audience!" That's something I hear quite often. But the truth is that it's not something I was born with. It's the result of lots of preparation, experience, and continuous learning. Over the years, I've had the opportunity to moderate discussions, lead panels, and speak in front of various audiences. Each time, I've refined my approach, learning what works and what doesn't. Because the key to effective public speaking isn't just confidence, it's preparation. Some of the most important things I focus on when preparing: ✅ Know your audience - Who are they? What do they care about? What tone and energy will resonate with them? If you're online, you might want to increase the energy level to get your message across. (In the words of Maya Angelou: It's not what you say, it's how you make the audience feel. If you are passionate about your subject and eager to tell the story, they'll listen to every word.) ✅ Structure matters - A clear beginning, middle, and end make a speech or discussion engaging and easy to follow. (Say what you're going to say, say it, and recap what you just said. 'Show, don't tell' is another golden rule, meaning that you can use a story to illustrate you point.) ✅ Active listening - As a moderator, it's not just about asking good questions, but truly listening to the answers and adapting the conversation in real time. (Sometimes it's as easy as asking a quick follow-up question like 'Why's that?' or repeating something that was just said and add your own thoughts.) ✅ Body language & voice control - How you deliver your message is just as important as the words you choose. Tone, pace, and presence can make all the difference. (Don't be afraid of silence, a pause after an important point will only underline your message. And do review your own performance! You can do it in three steps; with just the sound (listening to you voice and intonation), with just the image and no sound (watching your body language and how you move on stage and interact with the audience, and finally with both.) ✅ Practice makes perfect - Take time to learn your key messages, and practice saying them out loud. This way you will find your own rhythm. (But you don't have to memorise the entire script.) ✅ Embracing the unexpected - Things won't always go as planned. A great speaker or moderator is someone who can handle surprises with composure. (And remember, your listeners don't know what's in the script or what comes next, so just roll with it.) I love what I do, and I've worked hard to develop these skills. So no, it didn't just come naturally, but with every experience, I continue to grow. Whether it's somebody else up on the stage or me leading the conversation. What are your best tips for public speaking and moderation? Let's discuss!

What You Don’t See a Moderator Doing — But It Changes Everything 🎤✨ Ever been to an event where the moderator was fumbling through introductions, screaming into the mic, or clearly didn’t know the panel? Maybe a panelist rambled endlessly, leaving the audience lost. Then a photo session is called, but the panelists and guests stand awkwardly, unsure who should be in the photo, where it’s supposed to happen, or whether they’re required at all. No guidance. No signals. Just confusion. Here are 10 hidden things moderators do that make or break an event: 1. Set the tone early 🕰️ Physical fitness, spiritual grounding, or quiet reflection — whatever fuels you. Know your panelists, their strengths, and your audience before stepping on stage. Confidence comes from preparation. 2. Build your backstage network 🤝 Know who to rely on if something goes wrong: DJs, sound technicians, organisers. Have a short-hand method to communicate and anticipate transitions, including photo sessions. 3. Have a run of show 📝 A clear structure — how to open, transition, steer each segment, and close — keeps nerves in check and the event flowing smoothly. 4. Deep preparation with panelists 👥 Even a short pre-event conversation builds rapport. Knowing your panelists as people makes on-stage conversation natural. Being well-read gives you flexibility to pull insights as needed. 5. Ask questions that open doors 🔑 Questions shouldn’t just gather information; they should unlock stories, reveal tension, and give the audience insight they can’t Google. 6. Prepare deeply, but pivot even deeper 🔄 Your script is a guide, not a cage. Your greatest asset is listening. Follow threads that emerge naturally — even if it means putting notes aside. 7. Protect the audience’s time ⏱️ Long-winded panellists are part of the job, but the audience shouldn’t pay for it. Sometimes schedules aren’t flexible. Nancy Kacungira’s Name, Frame, Aim — name the speaker, frame the point, aim it to another panelist — keeps dignity and flow intact. 8. Mind the room’s energy ⚡ Read body language, adjust pace, ask clarifying questions, and shift direction as needed. 9. Bring everyone in 🌐 Some dominate, others wait. Draw out quieter voices to ensure the audience hears the full spectrum of insight. 10. End with clarity ✅ I like to summarise the conversation, then follow with a quick-fire round — 20–30 seconds per panelist. The audience leaves with clear takeaways, even if they got lost earlier. I’ve learnt from Femi Oke and Nozipho Tshabalala that moderation isn’t about being the star — it’s about serving the audience while making speakers shine. That responsibility rests on preparation, presence, and the unseen labour of holding space for others. 💬 What’s a moderator move you truly respect — the one that tells you, “This person knows what they’re doing”?

I never had a problem speaking to a camera in front of millions of viewers. But put me on a stage in front of a few hundred people… and yes, stage fright shows up. It took me a while to admit that 😊 Over the years working as a journalist for CNN, Euronews and AP, and later as Communications Coordinator at the UN I learned a few practical techniques that helped me feel confident when speaking to a live audience. Here are some that really work: • Keep eye contact with your audience. It builds trust instantly. • Align with the moderator and other speakers beforehand on what topics you’ll cover. Clarity reduces stress. • Don’t read from paper. Notes with keywords are fine, but reading kills connection. • Listen actively to what others are saying and respond - don’t just deliver what you prepared. • Own your expertise. You are there for a reason - let that confidence show. • Smile, keep your body open, don’t cross your arms. People respond far more to how you show up than to words alone. Communication is not about being perfect. It’s about being present, authentic and connected. If this was helpful, feel free to share. And if you’re looking for a speaker or moderator on communicating with impact get in touch 🎙️ #communications# publicspeaking#moderation#journalism

It’s my first board meeting. The day arrives. Messages start pouring in: “Good luck!” “Don’t be nervous.” “Just give your best.” And honestly even with all the good wishes and motivation, it’s natural to feel nervous. Why? Because in your first board meeting, every eye is on you. You are the new voice in a room full of experience, wisdom, and authority. Here’s what truly matters in that moment: Preparation beats nervousness Confidence doesn’t come from talent. It comes from preparation. Read the board papers. Understand the financials. Know the risks. Study the strategy. When you’re prepared, anxiety reduces automatically. Observe before you speak Your first responsibility is not to impress — It is to understand. Observe: • Board dynamics • Decision-making styles • Power centers • Communication flow Listening carefully helps you speak meaningfully. Speak only when you add value In the boardroom, quality matters more than quantity. One thoughtful insight can create more impact than ten average statements. Respect experience, but trust your judgment You are in that room for a reason. Acknowledge experience. Respect wisdom. But don’t silence your perspective. Boards grow when new thinking meets seasoned judgment. Ask intelligent, strategic questions Great directors are known not for answers — But for powerful questions. Questions that sharpen thinking. Questions that uncover risks. Questions that protect long-term value. Executive presence is everything Your body language speaks before you do. Calm posture. Confident eye contact. Controlled tone. Thoughtful pauses. Executive presence builds credibility instantly. At the end: Your first board meeting is not about proving your brilliance. It is about demonstrating your judgment, maturity, and intent. Nervousness is natural. Preparation is power. Composure is leadership. And that’s how first impressions become lasting reputations.

🎤 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 = 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫.  🎙️ 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 = 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫. Two distinct roles, each with its own unique beauty, and I like to do both! It's wild to think that just a few years ago, public speaking filled me with dread, especially when it wasn't in my mother tongue. Yet, last week, I had the pleasure of moderating a fantastic F&B panel discussion, marking my 7th public speaking event this year! That's an average of one stage appearance a month. How did I go from a trembling presenter to confidently leading a stage? Here are 6 key lessons that transformed my journey, ranked by impact: 1. 𝑲𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑨𝒖𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆  Before speaking, understand who's in front of you. This shifts you from broadcasting to genuinely connecting, making all the difference. 2.  𝑮𝒖𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑵𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆, 𝑭𝒍𝒆𝒙𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒚 A clear storyline holds attention, but be ready to adapt when your audience signals a new direction. Impact comes from combining structure with empathy. 3. 𝑼𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒓 𝑴𝒐𝒅𝒆: 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆.  Your primary job is to transmit your insights. Deliver your knowledge with clarity and punch. Own your story, voice, and body language; let your energy set the tempo for your audience. 𝑴𝒐𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓 𝑴𝒐𝒅𝒆: 𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒊𝒄.  Here, you become a facilitator. Your goal is to spotlight diverse voices, skillfully weave disparate threads into one cohesive conversation, and guide the flow to deliver maximum value for everyone listening. 4. 𝑴𝒊𝒄𝒓𝒐-𝑹𝒆𝒑𝒔 𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑰𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝑨𝒔 𝒂 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒓: Rehearse your story and flow. Master your material, but focus on engaging your listeners first. 𝑨𝒔 𝒂 𝑴𝒐𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓: Vibe-check with panelists beforehand. Active listening and authentic curiosity are more powerful than a rigid script. 5. 𝑩𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝑳𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝑰𝒔 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕 Your appearance, your voice, hand gestures, and posture convey your message before your words do. Train them to reinforce your story. 6. 𝑬𝒎𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑱𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒚 (𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝑨𝒏𝒚𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆!) Every stage, big or small (even a team meeting or town hall!), is an opportunity to grow. Practice makes progress. Start now, speak often, listen harder, and your message will land every time. What's your biggest lesson from public speaking or moderating? Share below! 💬