Stand in Your Power with:

Robert Caldwell, Performer and Presenter

As a singer and songwriter, Robert Caldwell can walk on stage, guitar in hand, and share his music with hundreds of people. The lead singer for a reunion band, Robert easily connects with audience members and enjoys every moment. That natural confidence, however, did not translate to his professional career when he was asked to speak to an audience of three hundred attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors about working with clients who own family businesses. Even though he had over thirty years of experience working with companies in the field, he was uncomfortable.

"When I am up there singing, I feel genuine and authentically myself," said Robert. By comparison, a spoken presentation felt contrived to him. "I'm trying to formulate a message that will appeal to a certain audience in a certain way and often times the audience is so diverse it's impossible to appeal to all of them," he said. Trying to address these issues, maintain his credibility, and connect with a professional audience was daunting.

Robert began working with Randy Siegel and learned that he could harness the same level of connection with professionals as he did with audiences at his concerts. With this knowledge he has become a more relaxed, effective speaker.

"When I stand in my power I am controlled by positive thoughts, not fearful thoughts," said Robert. With expert knowledge of his material, Robert knew he would be well prepared to speak. He just had to get himself out of the way. This required embracing a few new (and positive) ideas:

1. I am here to deliver a message and the message is not about me. I am the vehicle for delivery.
2. The audience is here because they want to hear and need to hear the message.
3. There is no one better suited to deliver the message than me.

Learning to be himself in front of large groups has taken time and practice. Robert found that sharing his guitar talent with his MBA students at Wake Forest University made the classroom more dynamic; it has not been so easy with the CPAs and attorneys. But trial and error is paying off. "I'm able to observe the audience, gauge their reaction, and shift how I deliver my message if needed," said Robert. "I feel I'm in control of the room."

Perhaps one of Robert's best lessons came from his mother, who has a strong dislike for being in front of people. "When she was to be recognized for starting a Sunday school class for mentally handicapped children at her church, she accepted their request to give a talk at the ceremony," he said. "I asked her how she was going to do that and she said, 'If you know what you're talking about and you believe in it, it's not a problem.' I have always taken that as great advice. It all boils down to authenticity."

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Robert Caldwell is a mediator, executive coach, and facilitator specializing in the psychology of systems. As a businessman with over 30 years experience, including 15 years in his family-owned textile business, Robert has written and spoken on the unique interactions of family systems and business dynamics. He provides guidance to family-owned and closely-held companies in the areas of succession planning, leadership selection and development, corporate governance, organizational culture, and conflict management strategies. He can be reached at 704-334-3534 or www.familyfirmresources.com.

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Periodically, I feature stories about professionals who are standing in their power. If you have a stand in your power story and would like to be featured, please e-mail me at Randy@BuildYourInfluence.com.