#34 From Fearful Introvert to TEDx Speaker

Today, I interview Todd Cherches and to describe Todd as a shy child would be an understatement! As a very tall yet introverted boy, he hid in the back of the class and was afraid to speak up-- or even to answer the telephone at home.He was quiet, a bit antisocial, and generally preferred to just be in his own company. However, as you'll see in this interview, Todd shares three experiences that helped him discover the boldness in himself when it comes to seizing once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. In the humble beginnings of his career, he moved past the curtain and into a brave and insightful conversation that influenced his direction and attitude. Later, he saved a leadership presentation and stepped up to the plate to deliver it, and in return got to experience firsthand the help and encouragement of the exceptional leaders present. Later still, on the verge of giving in to his introversion when feeling defeated at a conference, he walked through a very special door that would entirely change the trajectory of his entire life. Today, Todd is a professor of leadership, teaching at NYU and Columbia. He is a trainer and coach who teaches leadership skills and presentation skills.__________________ Todd Cherches is the CEO and co-founder of NYC-based executive coaching firm, BigBlueGumball, as well as a three-time award-winning adjunct professor of leadership at NYU and Columbia University. A member of Marshall Goldsmith’s “MG 100 Coaches,” Todd is a TEDx speaker, and the author VisuaLeadership: Leveraging the Power of Visual Thinking in Leadership and in Life (Post Hill Press/Simon & Schuster; 2020). A pioneer in the application of visual thinking to the practice of leadership, Todd was recently named by Thinkers50 as a finalist for their 2021 “Distinguished Thinkers Award” in Leadership, and is ranked #35 on the 2021 Thinkers360 “Top 50 Thought Leaders and Influencers in the field of Management.” Find Todd here: [email protected] https://toddcherches.com https://linkedin.com/in/toddcherches/ ** Visit www.toddcherches.com/passion for a free download of chapter 17 ("The Passion/Skill Matrix") from Todd's book, VisuaLeadership. __________________ I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear. Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.     Support the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.