The Taphouse Workshop: Teaching Leaders to Speak Like CEOs

It's not every day you get to host a workshop at a pub. But a few weeks ago, I found myself standing in front of a group of business owners at Jack's Corner Tap House in Cornelius, North Carolina, ready to share something I'm passionate about: helping leaders speak like the CEOs they are.

The setting was perfect—informal enough to feel comfortable, but still focused enough to get real work done. I was speaking to members of BLU Networking (Business Leaders Unleashed), one of the leading business networking groups in the Charlotte area, and I could tell this group was ready to learn.

The Challenge: Avoid filler words like "um," "ah," and "you know."

I opened the workshop with three simple points that can transform how any leader communicates:

1. Tell a story that engages and draws your audience in

2. Use silence as a tool to create deeper connection

3. Remember your unique energy signature—people rarely remember what you say, but they always remember how you made them feel

But here's where it got interesting. One of the key points I hammered home was avoiding filler words—those "ums," "ahs," "you knows," and "likes" that creep into our speech when we're thinking or nervous.

By the end of the session, it became a running joke. For the rest of that meeting and at the next one members started catching each other saying "um." The best part? Some people would confidently declare they never use filler words, only to say "um" several times immediately after making that very statement. It was exactly the kind of awareness shift I was hoping for.

The Power of Personal Story

I started my presentation by sharing my own failure story—how I bombed miserably during my first public speaking opportunity in high school. That failure drove me to become a better speaker, but more importantly, it gave me credibility with the audience.

When you're vulnerable about your own struggles, people lean in. They see you as human, not just an expert standing at the front of the room.

I used voice inflection, strategic pauses, and a little humor to bring that story to life. But the real magic happened when I connected that personal experience to the three tools that changed everything for me as a speaker.

The Workshop Challenge

Here's what I love about workshops versus lectures: they force people to practice, not just listen.

I challenged each table to practice their speeches for 45 seconds, then choose their best speaker to present in front of the entire group. Those selected speakers were given one to two minutes to share their speech with everyone. Some people were nervous. Others were excited. All of them learned something about themselves.

The best part? Several people came up afterward and said it was the best speaking they have seen me do since joining the group. But here's the thing, I think it worked because I've been listening to them speak for months. I knew their challenges, their strengths, and what they needed to hear.

The best speakers are the best listeners.

The Mirror Effect

Something fascinating happened during the exercises. People who declared they never use filler words immediately started using them in their presentations. It's amazing how we overlook our own speaking habits while easily spotting them in others.

This is why feedback is so crucial. We all have blind spots—places where we can't see our own opportunities for improvement. As a coach, my job isn't to tear people down. It's to offer insights, tools, and lessons that help others see what they might be missing.

The Bigger Mission

This 20-30 minute workshop couldn't dramatically transform anyone's speaking skills overnight. But it gave everyone tools to take home, practice, and improve. More importantly, it reminded all of us that we can be better versions of ourselves.

We can improve the world around us, but only if we're open to feedback and willing to let someone else show us what we can't see ourselves.

What I Learned

Leading this workshop reminded me why I do what I do. My mission isn't just to help people speak better—it's to help them become better leaders, better communicators, and ultimately better versions of themselves.

Being able to engage with a group of peers and friends in a way that makes everyone better is what leadership looks like in action. It's not about being the smartest person in the room. It's about using your unique gifts to elevate everyone around you.

I truly believe our number one mission on this Earth is to leave everyone we interact with in a better place than they were before that interaction. Whether you're speaking, listening, coaching, or just serving others in your own way—make the world better one moment at a time.

The Ripple Effect

I'm looking forward to sharing this workshop with other BLU Networking chapters. Not just for the joy of speaking, but for the purpose of making people better in ways they may not be expecting.

Because here's what I've learned: when you help someone find their voice, you're not just improving their presentation skills. You're giving them confidence to lead, to share their ideas, and to make the impact they're meant to make.

That's worth raising a glass to.

Your Turn

What's one area where you could use some honest feedback? What blind spot might be holding you back from communicating like the leader you are?

Sometimes the best workshops happen in the most unexpected places. The key is being willing to show up, be vulnerable, and help others do the same.

Go out there, find your voice, and make the world better—one conversation at a time.