Ep 45: Building Confidence Through Community, Communication, and Trust (ft. James Sanders III)

As Executive Function coaches, we often talk about how working on Executive Function skills is really an act of building self-confidence. Learning to be confident in yourself and believing you can get through the hard stuff is the key to trying new things, reaching your goals, and truly making a lasting difference in all areas of life. We work hard to build this confidence in our clients, just as my guest today does with his college students. James Sanders the third is a professor of public speaking and interpersonal communication at Fayetteville Technical Community College in North Carolina. He joined me to share how teaching public speaking has shown him firsthand how students can truly blossom when they step outside of their comfort zone. I’ll let him tell you more about the work he does, but this man is making positive change happen wherever he goes. We talked about the importance of community, of trusting yourself, and saying yes to the scary things that are a stepping stone towards reaching your goals. In addition to being interesting to talk to and an inspiring ray of sunshine, James shared a lot of useful resources and links with me, including his recent commencement address, so be sure to check out the show notes when you’re done listening (listed below!) Show notes Watch us on Good Morning America! - https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/family/video/biggest-challenges-facing-boys-high-school-110494888?utm_content=294855601&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&hss_channel=fbp-836347533047033 Here are some resources that James shared with our listeners. 1) TED Talks: Watching TED Talks is a great way to learn from some of the best public speakers in the world. The TED website and YouTube channel offer a wide range of topics and styles that can provide inspiration and techniques for your own speaking. 2) Talk Like TED by Carmine Gallo: This book breaks down the techniques used by the best TED speakers and provides actionable tips to improve your own presentations. It covers storytelling, emotional connection, and delivery skills. 3) Toastmasters International: Toastmasters is a nonprofit organization that offers a supportive environment for practicing public speaking and leadership skills. Local clubs provide regular meetings where you can practice and receive feedback. 4) The Public Speaking Project: This online resource offers free materials including a textbook, videos, and interactive activities focused on various aspects of public speaking. It's a comprehensive guide that covers everything from speech preparation to delivery techniques. Watch James’s commencement address at Fayetteville Technical Community College https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUPK7VvjJf0&t=1505s Resources for Building Self-Esteem and Confidence How to Help Students with Learning Challenges Build Healthy Self-Esteem https://www.beyondbooksmart.com/executive-functioning-strategies-blog/how-to-help-students-with-learning-challenges-build-healthy-self-esteem BBS on Good Morning America! https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/family/video/biggest-challenges-facing-boys-high-school-110494888