S.T.A.N.D. and Deliver – Part 5

You only learn to give a great talk by giving a few bad ones. Here is why practice is the final step of S.T.A.N.D. and Deliver, and three ways to drill that actually work.

In the first four parts of this series, we’ve walked through what it takes to truly connect with your audience: Serve, Trust, Authenticity, and Noise.

Today, we land the plane with the final letter in the framework.

D is for Drill

No matter how gifted you are, you won’t grow as a speaker without this final step: practice.

One of my favorite quotes, especially for creatives, is from legendary pitmaster Aaron Franklin:

“You only learn how to make good BBQ by making bad BBQ.”

The same is true for public speaking. You only learn how to give a great talk by first giving a few bad ones. Give yourself grace. You’ll get better with time and experience!

Practice isn’t optional. It’s the key to progress.

Too often we treat presentations like one-off moments. We prepare, deliver, then move on.

But the best communicators, the ones who consistently get better, approach speaking like athletes. They train. They review film. They make adjustments. And then they run it again.

If you want to take your speaking to the next level, drill it.

Three ways to practice that actually work

Here are three methods I recommend that go beyond “just rehearsing in your head.”

Find someone who will give you the gift of honest feedback. Practice your presentation for a coach, a coworker, or a spouse or friend you trust. But here’s the key: ask them to be honest. Not cruel, not nitpicky, just authentic.

Ask them: Where did I lose you? What moments felt most real? Did anything come across as unclear or off-tone? Good feedback is a gift. Treat it that way.

Film yourself in private and review it with fresh eyes. Yes, it feels awkward. Do it anyway. Set up your phone or laptop and deliver your full talk like it’s the real thing. Then watch it back with your notepad open.

Pay attention to your tone and pacing, nervous tics or filler words, and your transitions and clarity. This process is uncomfortable, but it’s gold.

Record every real-world speaking opportunity and review the game film. Whether you’re speaking on stage, in a meeting, or at a training session, film it. Review it while it’s still fresh. That’s when you’ll catch opportunities to tweak your timing, slides or visuals that didn’t land, and moments to tighten or expand for next time.

Chances are, you’ll give a similar presentation again. Reviewing the game film lets you show up sharper the next time.

Final thoughts

Becoming a great speaker is a lifelong journey. But my hope is that this simple S.T.A.N.D. and Deliver framework has given you tools you can actually use today to improve your confidence, clarity, and connection on stage.

To recap:

S: Serve your audience, not your ego.

T: Trust is built with clarity and empathy.

A: Authenticity is rooted in vulnerability.

N: Noise can be silenced with intentional habits.

D: Drill the message until it becomes natural.

If you ever get the chance to speak, whether to 5 people or 5000, take the stage with confidence, knowing you’ve done the work to stand… and deliver.

So I have a question for you

Which letter of S.T.A.N.D. is your weakest right now?

What is one way you will drill your next talk this week?

If you want help building a speaking presence that connects with any audience, that is exactly what my keynotes, workshops, and leadership sessions are built for. Learn more at taianderson.live/keynotes.

Originally published on LinkedIn, October 10, 2025.