Preparation vs Pressure: What Wins Every Time

If you're not prepared… everything changes. In this Spark Short, Liz and Michele unpack one of the most practical and overlooked skills behind confident communication: preparation. Inspired by their conversation with Professor Jamie Leddin, they explore why so many of us struggle in negotiations—and how it often comes down to w Michele shares her personal experience with emotional reactions in high-pressure moments and how preparation directly impacts her confidence. From shaky high school presentations to standing in front of a stadium, she reflects on how readiness—not experience—is what truly makes the difference. Together, they dive into the tension between overthinking and being caught off guard. While preparation can build confidence, real life doesn’t always give you a heads-up. So what happens when you're suddenly in a negotiation you didn’t see coming? They also touch on the idea that communication and negotiation are learned skills—not instincts—and why some people, like those trained in debate, may have an advantage. But the good news? These are skills anyone can build. This episode is a reminder that confidence isn’t something you either have or don’t—it’s something you create through preparation. In This Episode You’ll Learn Why preparation is the foundation of confidence How emotions show up in high-stakes conversations The connection between preparation and performance Why “winging it” often leads to poor outcomes How overthinking can both help and hurt you The challenge of unexpected negotiations Why communication is a learned skill—not an innate one How debate-style thinking can improve real-life conversations The difference between being experienced vs. being prepared Resources From This Episode Never Split the Difference View Resource Anna Mae Krier, The Original Rosie The Riveter Best Defense Foundation Watch on YouTube Keep Sparking If this conversation resonated with you: Follow Spark Me so you never miss a Spark Short Share this episode with someone who struggles with tough conversations Leave a rating or review to help more women find the show Tag us and tell us: Do you prepare—or wing it?