EP 160: Hiding Doesn't Keep You Safe: Mike Ganino on Visibility and Storytelling

When the stakes rise and more is on the line, everything about visibility shifts –– what it means, what it costs, and what it asks of you.And if you ever experienced bullying, relational trauma, betrayal, or abuse, visibility can be more than just awkward or uncomfortable. Unprocessed echoes of those burdens can make the past feel like it is happening in the present.We have to do the work of building more trust within, getting clear on who and what really matters, and learning to follow our values even when we do not know the results.As my guest today reminded me, when we go silent, we may feel safe, but our voices are not out there, and others will step in to define the direction of conversations and the topics that matter most to us.Showing up and letting people see and hear you isn’t always easy, but with practice and courage, we can reshape the narratives we carry about ourselves and our visibility.Mike Ganino works with professional speakers, keynote speakers, and executives to help them create transformative speaking experiences worthy of standing ovations. As a keynote director with a background as an actor, writer, director, producer, hospitality executive, and corporate trainer, Mike learned to view storytelling and performance from the audience’s perspective and uses these insights and experiences to help his clients develop talks and performances that go beyond just wowing the audience to truly transform their thinking.Listen to the full episode to hear:How a fourth-grade substitute teacher showed Mike the power of making people feel seenWhy getting comfortable with visibility requires us to address the relational wounds that have kept us quietWhat we can learn from actors about the choices we make as we show up and interact with othersWhy developing as a speaker is a physical practice before it’s an intellectual practiceTwo essential elements for telling an effective storyHow fears of losing status and being misunderstood keeps us from showing up for ourselves and others Learn more about Mike Ganino:https://mikeganino.com/Instagram: @mikeganinoFacebook: @mikeganinoConnect on LinkedInMake a Scene: Storytelling, Stage Presence, and the Art of Being Unforgettable in Every SpotlightLearn more about Rebecca:rebeccaching.comWork With RebeccaThe Unburdened Leader on SubstackSign up for the weekly Unburdened Leader EmailResources:The Face: A Natural History, Daniel McNeillAriana GrandeE.T. the Extra-TerrestrialChapters:(00:43) - Introduction (08:36) - Fourth Grade Lessons (13:28) - Healing Through Visibility (16:59) - Safe Reps on Video (21:40) - Authenticity vs Performance (25:29) - Questioning the 'new and fresh' (28:59) - Top Visibility Blocks (31:24) - Gendered Speaking Habits (37:36) - Storytelling For an Integrated Life (41:05) - Status Loss and Feedback (45:45) - Who you take notes from matters (49:56) - Inner Child And Leadership (50:51) - Defining Leadership (52:00) - Embracing the Complexities (53:56) - Rapid Fire (58:05) - Making Connections (59:00) - Closing Thoughts