I recently saw “A Star Is Born” with my wife on a rare night out (we have two young children). It was a fantastic movie and a must-see for anyone who loves performing and presenting.

The film is about a washed-up rocker (Jackson) who falls for a young, poor, talented singer (Ally), and gives her the courage to find her voice, I think the film offers a lot of wisdom in regard to speaking in public. Ally is searching for stardom but doesn’t truly find it until she follows Jackson’s advice, and sings from the deepest parts of her soul. Only when she makes her singing deeply personal does she truly “have something to say” (in Jackson’s parlance).

Do you personalize your speeches? Do you plum the depths to find material that is secret, provocative, honest? Do you tell stories? Do you work to relate to your audience, to share your humanity, with all of its messiness? Or do you neaten things up to make yourself look “good”?

Brave public speaking, like brave singing, happens rarely. But when it does, it unites, it inspires, it transforms. Think today about your speeches, and ask yourself “Am I being brave?”.