How to Speak With Confidence at Work: Our Nashville Mic Drop Workshop Recap
Confident speaking isn’t a talent you’re born with. It’s a skill you build with a simple framework and plenty of practice. That was the big takeaway from our recent Heels & Handshakes workshop in Nashville, where Dr. Kristine Sickels of Mic Drop Workshop led a half-day session called The Clearest Voice in the Room: How to Speak with Power and Intention at Work.
Here’s a recap of the M3 Method, the WISH message framework and the four delivery tools every woman in business can start using this week.
Why does public speaking matter so much for women in business?
Professionals spend an average of 23 hours a week in meetings and presentations, according to Microsoft Work Trend Index and ATD/SHRM workforce data shared in the session. Yet most of us were never trained to present with the goal of influencing decisions.
That gap matters. Every promotion, every connection and every opportunity starts with using your voice, whether you’re pitching a client, leading a team meeting or introducing yourself at a Nashville networking event.
Dr. Sickels opened with a disarming question: What’s the most boring fact about you? The point? You don’t need an extraordinary story to be an extraordinary speaker.
What is the M3 Method for confident presenting?
The M3 Method breaks a great presentation into three overlapping pieces:
Mind: your inner confidence
Map: what you want to say
Moment: how you deliver it
A great presentation lives where all three meet.
Mind: Are you a Spotlight Speaker or a Lighthouse Speaker?
Borrowing a framework from speaker Jess Ekstrom, Dr. Sickels explained that a Spotlight Speaker asks, “What does everyone think of me?” A Lighthouse Speaker asks, “How can I best guide the audience?”
When the intent behind our voice shifts from serving others to spotlighting ourselves, we start to hide and fear public speaking. A spotlight mindset says, “Look how I built my empire.” A lighthouse mindset says, “Here’s how I built mine so you can build yours, too.” When you speak to serve, whether you feel qualified matters far less. It’s one of the best antidotes to imposter syndrome out there.
Map: How do you build a message people act on?
Giving information could have been an email. A great presentation helps people understand why something matters so they’re inspired to act. To get there, attendees built their message using WISH:
What if: In an ideal world, what do you want to happen?
Invite: Invite people into the vision. What needs to happen now?
Skeptic: Speak to the doubter. Why might someone not believe or support you?
Headline: If people forgot everything else, what’s the one clear takeaway?
Dr. Sickels’ own headline: If a woman can speak with confidence, the opportunities are endless.
Moment: What are the four delivery tools?
Posture controls your confidence
Hands control your speed
Eyes control your engagement
Tone controls your mood
Attendees practiced each tool with a simple introduction: their name and a woman who inspires them. Dr. Sickels went first, naming her mom, who had her at a young age and sacrificed many of her own dreams to raise her.
The 5 Golden Mic Drop Rules
Presenting can be to one person or many.
Be a Lighthouse Speaker, not a Spotlight Speaker.
Don’t script word for word; use big-picture ideas.
Always speak to kindergarteners, not scientists.
Speaking is a muscle. More reps build a stronger muscle.
The activation everyone was talking about
You know it’s a great activation when the line for press-on nails is longer than the line at the bar!
Thank you to our event partners
A programming like this comes together because of the incredible partners who help create an experience that goes beyond the program itself. From the venue and photography to food, florals, and attendee activations, we're grateful to everyone who helped make this Nashville gathering special.
Venue: Assembly Food Hall
Photography: Diana Marie Photography
Event Support: Splendidly Social
Food & Beverage: The Cheese Lab, Dock Local, and Liege Waffles
Florals: Geny's Flowers
Photobooth: C&C Events and Designs
Ready to find your Mic Drop moment?
Your voice is one of your most valuable professional tools. Whether you're leading a meeting, pitching a client, presenting an idea, or introducing yourself at a Nashville networking event, the ability to communicate with confidence can open doors.
And the best part? You don't have to master it overnight. Start with one clear message, one intentional conversation, and one opportunity to practice.
At Heels & Handshakes, we believe growth happens when women have the tools, relationships, and community to support their next chapter.
Ready to put your best heel forward?
Explore Heels & Handshakes membership and join a Nashville community of women in business who are committed to learning, connecting, and growing together.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I speak with more confidence at work?
Confidence starts with knowing your message and understanding what you want your audience to take away. Organize your ideas, practice out loud, and use intentional posture, eye contact, gestures, and tone to communicate clearly. Explore our guide to powerful communication for women in business for more insights.
How can I overcome nervousness when speaking in front of others?
Focus on the value you're offering your audience instead of worrying about how you're being perceived. Prepare a few key talking points rather than memorizing every word, and look for opportunities to practice in meetings, presentations, and networking conversations. Our guide to networking as an introvert offers a related perspective on building professional confidence.
How can I make my professional presentations more effective?
Start with a clear message, structure your ideas around what your audience needs to know, and finish with one memorable takeaway. Developing the skills to communicate with clarity and intention is an important part of mastering the art of powerful communication. The WISH framework discussed in the workshop — What If, Invite, Skeptic, and Headline — helps speakers connect their ideas to a vision and encourage action.
How can I improve my communication and networking skills in Nashville?
Look for opportunities to practice communicating in real professional settings, from leading meetings to attending networking events. Heels & Handshakes brings women in business together through networking, educational programs, and opportunities to build meaningful professional relationships. Visit our Nashville events page to explore upcoming opportunities.