Nicole Bugeja - Public Speaking and Performance Coach

What Elections Can Teach Us About Public Speaking

Over the past few weeks, I have observed a number of public speakers addressing large crowds in the lead-up to Malta's general election.

I have seen a range of styles, different levels of confidence, and of course, varying content.

One aspect I found myself consistently observing was how grounded each speaker was in their body.

I noticed the position of the feet on the ground or stage, the steadiness in the legs and centre, the alignment of the spine, the presence or absence of tension in the neck and face, and how all of this influenced breathing, vocal strength, and the overall flow of the delivery.

The opportunity to observe so many speakers within the same context over a short period of time reinforced something that actor training has taught me repeatedly: every part of our physical presence contributes to the outcome of a performance.

The quality of a speech does not begin with the voice. It begins much earlier, with how we inhabit our body.

If you are a regular public speaker, becoming more aware of how each aspect of your physical presence contributes to your delivery can add another layer of strength to your communication.

Banshee...making theatre wherever she lounges in the house 🌚🐾

🎤 What every speaker should ask before stepping on stage

I was coaching a team of managers and their CEO who regularly have public speaking appearances, and one recurring frustration emerged:

They are invited to deliver a presentation, appear for an interview, or speak publicly and are generally informed at the very last minute.

Sometimes, key details are missing too: Who is the audience? How long is the slot? What is the tone expected? Will there be questions? Who else is speaking?

Public speaking already places us in a vulnerable position and preparation is not a luxury. We are being seen, heard, evaluated, and interpreted in real time and we need to communicate clearly, calmly, and effectively.

When speakers are given little notice or insufficient information, they are not simply being inconvenienced but they are being deprived of the grounding process that allows presence, clarity, and confidence to emerge.

Good communication does not begin on stage but long before that, in the quality of preparation that is made possible.

So perhaps, before inviting someone to speak, we might ask ourselves:

• Have I given this person enough time to prepare?
• Have I provided the necessary context?
• Am I supporting this speaker to succeed?
• What kind of communication culture am I helping to create?

I’ve also put together a short list of useful questions speakers can ask beforehand to prepare more effectively. Feel free to reach out if you’d like me to send it across. 🌿

When you do work on a Friday ✍️📖, but make sure to kick in the weekend vibes while you're at it 😎

Today marked the final episode in a series of conversations on public speaking with Antonella Galea Loffreda on Campus Breakfast 🎙️

This last discussion focused on public speaking in an online context, a space that comes with its own unique challenges and considerations.

Among other points, we reflected on the importance of being thoroughly prepared from a technological perspective: ensuring strong internet connection, familiarity with the online platform being used, and creating a well-curated setup with good lighting and sound.

We also spoke about audience engagement in virtual settings, where attention spans can understandably wane more quickly in front of a screen, and about ethical considerations in online public speaking.

Needless to say, just like in the previous episodes, there was so much more we could have explored and we could have gone on forever!

Thank you, Antonella, for the invitation to share and discuss subjects we are both so passionate about. 🌿🎤

🤎

Warm weather can be tough on pets. Avoid walks in peak heat, keep fresh water available, and never leave pets in parked cars.

If your pet seems overly tired, starts panting heavily, or looks distressed, book a vet check with QVC Vets.

For appointments and availability, message us or contact our clinics.

Book your appointment on https://qvcvets.com

THIS IS AN UGLY MUG – A MONDAY MORNING REFLECTION ;)

What is this?

This is an ugly mug. Or maybe it isn’t.

Either way, I probably have an opinion about it, or perhaps I simply do not care.

Let’s say that I do care. (Especially if I feel I should.)

Is my opinion necessary?

Is it necessary to share it?

With whom is it necessary to share it?

When would be the right moment to communicate it?

Which channel of communication would be best?

How should I word it?

What tone of voice and body language do I want to adopt?

What kind of energy do I want this communication to carry?

This week, I invite you to pause and follow these steps before important moments of communication.

Observe the result, reflect on it, and perhaps reintegrate what works into future conversations.

Bridge the Conflict Gap with Confidence

Ever found yourself at a loss for words during a difficult conversation with a colleague?

When tensions rise or communication falters, it’s natural to wonder what the “right” approach should be.

Public speaking coaching goes far beyond preparing professionals for the stage.

Many of the same principles can support challenging workplace conversations, helping individuals communicate with greater clarity, confidence, and emotional control.

Finding the right communication approach can help you stay grounded when discussions become difficult, structure your message more effectively (moving from venting to solution-oriented dialogue), and read the room so you can adapt your tone and delivery accordingly.

Sometimes, a conversation triggered by conflict can also become an opportunity for stronger connection, healthier collaboration, and professional growth.

When Knowledge Meets Pressure

An aspect of my coaching work that I particularly enjoy is working with medical students.

Preparing students for live viva exams is quite an experience in itself. The sheer volume of terminology, precision and knowledge that needs to be retained and accessed under pressure is genuinely admirable.

During coaching, a great deal of attention goes into the clarity and steadiness with which a student conducts a doctor-patient consultation.

We work on voice, pace, presence, and the ability to communicate calmly and clearly in moments of pressure.

Another important aspect of the work, however, lies in understanding how memory functions best under stress.

Very often, the issue is not lack of knowledge, but how to access and retrieve it smoothly in the moment.

Together, we explore approaches that support memory recall, reduce panic, and help the required terminology emerge with greater ease and flow during the viva.

It is always inspiring to witness students grow not only in confidence, but also in their ability to communicate knowledge with clarity, care and composure.

Over the past 4 weeks, I followed and completed a Mental Health First Aid course organised specifically for artists at Richmond Foundation - Malta.

Whilst I have been following research developments in mental health for over 25 years, sitting for this course amplified my awareness of the importance of first aiders.

It's no fresh news that mental health services in Malta still have a long way to go. This is not out of a lack of professionals but out of weak infrastructure. Mental health needs to be prioritised, funded, and taken seriously, especially due to the alarming high levels of mental illnesses in the country.

In the face of a fragile system, mental health first aiders are vital. They can be the difference between a life saved and a life lost, especially in a context where shame and stigma are still thickly interwoven into the social psyche.

A shout out of appreciation to Richmond Foundation, for offering this course, delivering it through excellent tutors, and for being a much needed point of reference for mental health in Malta - Thank You!