What I Learned About Public Speaking from a Premier League Commentator
A conversation with Ian Stringer
I was excited to have Ian Stringer on the Level Up podcast recently. As a coach, I've noticed that one of the most common anxieties for leaders, especially those newly promoted, is public speaking. Whether it's an all-staff call or a board presentation, it's a task that can be genuinely nerve-wracking.
I knew Ian would have a unique perspective.
We first worked together in a training room over 20 years ago, and since then he's built an incredible career in high-stakes, unscripted communication. He’s an award-winning broadcaster who has called over 600 live football matches, including Leicester City's historic Premier League win. If anyone knows how to handle pressure, it's him.
Our conversation was packed with practical, brilliant advice. It moved beyond the usual tips and offered powerful mental frameworks that any leader can apply. Here are the core insights I took away.
1. The First Shift: Reframe Pressure
I had to start by asking him about nerves. To my surprise, he said, "I've never been nervous in doing what I do.".
While that might be a unique gift, his insight into handling pressure is universal. He told me a brilliant story about calling the FA Cup final, an undeniably high-stakes moment. His commentary coach gave him a simple task: write one clear message on a piece of paper that could anchor him in a moment of chaos.
Ian's note simply said: "You're a football commentator. Call it as you see it.".
That was his anchor. It was a reminder to strip away all the emotional noise: his son watching at home, his dad 6,000 miles away, the millions of fans. His job was not to worry about all that; his job was to inform and entertain.
This is a powerful reframe. When you stand up to give that presentation, your job is not to be a perfect, flawless orator. Your job is to achieve a goal. As I mentioned in our chat, you need to remember the point: Are you trying to get people to do something? Are you trying to impart knowledge?. Focus on that, and let the rest melt away.
2. The Antidote to Perfectionism: The "Seven out of Ten" Rule
One of the biggest barriers for new speakers is the expectation of being brilliant on the first attempt.
This led to one of my favourite insights from our chat: The "Seven out of Ten" Rule.
Ian explained that he often tells apprentice commentators after a broadcast, "Seven outta 10". His point is that you will do a lot of seven-out-of-ten performances, and that is absolutely fine. A 7/10 is a good, solid job. For leaders who are not professional broadcasters, hitting a 7/10 on a regular basis is a fantastic result.
He suggests a simple A, B, C framework to set your own expectations:
A: What does a brilliant presentation look like? (e.g., "I get reactions, I see eyes, people applaud.").
B: What does an okay one look like? (e.g., "People are generally listening, even if some check their phones.").
C: What is the bare minimum? (e.g., "I walk off stage and I'm not booed.").
He advised that for your first go, you should aim for a "B minus" and be happy with it. Be kind to yourself; it is a journey of small steps.
3. The Myth of the Script: Know Your Subject, Not Your Lines
We also talked about the difference between prepared speeches and "on the fly" moments. I've often observed in my coaching that people are most afraid of unscripted moments, like a Q&A. However, when I watch them back, they often perform far better in those moments than in their prepared speech.
Ian nailed why. His commentary job is 95% unscripted. He explained that when you have a script, you get a false sense of security. You strive for perfection, trying to get every word right, and that is when you stumble.
The real security comes from knowing your subject.
If you know your content, you can handle anything. He shared a brilliant coaching technique where a coach will ask you to read a script, then throw it away and just tell them the news. The second version is always more passionate and engaging.
His final advice on this was gold: "Fear the over-reliance on the script. Try without it, it might be better.".
4. Practical Tools for Instant Impact
Beyond the mindset, Ian shared some fantastic practical tips.
The Power of the Pause: This was his number one tip. If you are talking and feel you are losing the room (people are looking at their phones), just pause. He says, "You watch everybody look at you". It is a simple, powerful way to regain control and add weight to your words.
Word Economy: This is a fantastic concept from commentary. Ian explained that when the football is in the middle of the pitch (low stakes), he can be descriptive. But when the ball is in the "final third" (high stakes), his word economy becomes vital. He will use short, sharp words: "Vardi. Cross. Header. Goal.".
The Lesson: When your message is truly important, bring your word economy in. Do not use too many words. Be direct and clear.
Takeaways for Leaders
Define Your Anchor: Before your next all-staff call, write down the one single message you need your team to remember. Make that your "call it as you see it" anchor.
Aim for 7/10: Stop trying to be perfect. Aim for "good." A clear, concise, 7/10 presentation that you actually deliver is infinitely better than a "perfect" 10/10 you are too scared to give.
Know Your "Why": Practise knowing your subject, not your script. You will be more authentic, more engaging, and less likely to be thrown off by a dead battery or a lost page.
Use "Yes, and...": In Q&As, if you face a difficult question, use positive language. Ian notes that "Yes, but..." makes people's backs go up. Try "Yes, and I understand that. What I'd like us to focus on is..." It is a tiny change that completely alters the tone.
Takeaways for Coaches
Use the A/B/C Framework: This is a brilliant tool for managing a client's expectations. Ask them: "It's Wednesday, looking back on your presentation yesterday, what does success look like?". Get them to define A, B, and C for themselves.
Practise Objective Feedback: Encourage your clients to record themselves. Advise them to get feedback from someone without an emotional connection, not their spouse or family, who can give honest, objective advice.
Steal the "Throw Away the Script" Exercise: This is a fantastic exercise I am definitely stealing. Get your client to write their script, read it, and then literally throw it in the bin. Ask them to tell you what they wanted to say. That is where you will find their authentic voice.
This was such a valuable conversation, and it really reinforced that the mental side of public speaking is often the biggest hurdle. As Ian said at the end, "the first time you do public speaking, you are not gonna be brilliant at it... we weren't brilliant, we got a bit better".
It is about practice, managing your headspace, and taking small steps.
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