209. Choose Connection Over Perfection: Why Doctors Struggle with Public Speaking and What We Can Do About It with Hilary Blair

The Mindful Healers Podcast with Dr. Jessie Mahoney and Dr. Ni-Cheng Liang

The world needs physician voices. Enjoy a fun conversation with Hilary Blair, founder of Articulate Real & Clear, about how mindfulness, intention, and most of all presence can help anyone, especially doctors, give a great talk.

The way we are trained to think as physicians makes public speaking more of a challenge than it should be for most physicians.

We are trained to:

• worry what others will think of us

• fear judgment, rejection, and shame

• talk fast and "not waste time"

• always share as much information as possible

• be sure others think we know "enough"

• not take risks

• blame ourselves if we make a mistake (or even if others think something not flattering about us)

• xatastrophize what might happen if we make a mistake or embarrass ourselves

Most physicians find it very uncomfortable to be seen as an expert or a star. We were taught this could be perceived as gloating. It could also lead to complacency and maybe a mistake. We tend to prefer to “serve” others under the radar.

We are trained that there is “a right way” and that, if you haven’t been trained, "you don’t know how."

We tend to default to thinking that we are imposters. We fear that someone may discover we don’t know everything about everything.

What can we do to improve our public speaking?

• Choose connection over perfection

• Do more of what’s working and less of what’s not

• Work with a mindset/life coach (AKA Jessie) to understand our patterns, how our brain works, and how we can optimize our performance in the exam room, on a stage, and at home

• Practice owning our authenticity, wisdom, and expertise every day

• Practice mindfulness and learn how to drop into our body

• Connect with our intentions, as a speaker and otherwise

• Work with a speaking coach to clarify our message, tone, and energy

Hilary Blair is the CEO of ARTiculate: Real and Clear. She is an energized speaker, trainer, facilitator who capitalizes on her professional voice over and stage training techniques - where she used to put the drama in, she now takes the drama out of team and leadership communication. She facilitates and leads programs internationally for corporate teams and leadership to elevate presence, communication, and authentic connection. Clients include AWS, Starbucks, ACLU and MD Anderson. Hilary is a TedX speaker, a cofounder of ARTiculate: Real&Clear and holds an MFA in acting from the National Theatre Conservatory and a BA from Yale University.

How to work with ARTiculate Real and Clear- https://articulaterc.com

Move beyond consuming this amazing podcast. True change happens when you work with us - virtually and/or in-person.

Coach with Jessie - 1:1, in a small group, or at a retreat. www.jessiemahoneymd.com

Work with both of us in person at The Mindful Healers Annual Retreat www.jessiemahoneymd.com/retreats

Hire one or both of us to speak or lead a workshop on any topic covered in the Mindful Healers Podcast. We also create team retreats, teach yoga, and offer experiential mindfulness for teams, groups, grand rounds, institutions, and conferences.

www.jessiemahoneymd.com/mindful-healers-podcast

www.awakenbreath.org

www.jessiemahoneymd.com/speaking

*Nothing shared in the Mindful Healers Podcast is medical advice.

#physicianwellness #mindfulnesscoach #pauseandpresence #physiciancoach