Tsufit (LinkedIn profile) started out as a lawyer, singer, and actress, but for over 15 years now she has been coaching others to step into the spotlight. In fact, she wrote a book titled exactly that: “Step Into The Spotlight!”

As you’ll hear, one of the things she sees in public speaking is that it helps you crystallize your message. I love one of her quotes: “If you can’t say [something] in 30 seconds, you won’t be able to say it in 30 minutes.”

Also Tsufit points out the importance of knowing why you’re there speaking. As she says, it sounds obvious, but in reality it’s not nearly as obvious as one might think, and understanding why you’re really there is way more important than many people realize.

One of the main themes flowing through the interview is the (often unrealized) opportunity to own the room. Not just in the way we might think at first (feeling in control of your physical surroundings), but starting much earlier than your actual speech, when you might negotiate with the organizer to get a better role for yourself.