Speaking to Stay Competitive

You Can’t Fake the Room

I’ve been a communication coach for over 20 years. And as a specialist in gamification, trust me—I’ve seen a lot change. I used to get flagged on spellcheck for even typing the word gamification. Nobody knew what it meant. Not anymore. Times have caught up.

But something has changed with how times are changing now. When I saw the rise of AI communication coaches and the kind of transformation they were bringing, I got nervous. Then curious. Then fully activated. Not just like, “Oh, that’s interesting,” but full-on Girl Scout badge mode. I was ready. Because what was coming into focus for me wasn’t just a cool tool—it was a tidal wave. And I could see how it was set to wash away everything we’ve known about communication.

At first, I loved using AI to help me write my holiday updates. It was novel. It was fun. And the output genuinely sounded like something meaningful—something I would actually say.

Then I started using it for business. Not just for tidying up complicated emails, but for editing proposals, organizing talking points, and checking my RFQs to make sure I didn’t miss a beat. It became a second brain. A collaborative one. And while I still think only half of us are really diving in, the people I saw using AI well? They were getting ahead. Fast.

So I did what I always do. I ran the mental simulation. I doom-scrolled forward in my brain. If AI is mastering digital communication—emails, messaging, even on-camera delivery—what’s left?

What can it not do?

Well, it can’t be real.

It can’t walk into a room and read it. It can’t make eye contact and mean it. It can’t adjust its energy because the audience is tired or tense or needs a laugh. And it definitely can’t feel the vibe. I mean—not yet. Who knows in this wild future we’re heading toward. But for today, at least?

AI is not in the vibe.

It’s About Charisma, Not Coding

The speaking skills that once felt like a “nice-to-have” are now squarely in the “essential” column. Because when everything can be faked, what’s real becomes even more valuable. And presence—live, in-person presence—is something that cannot be auto-generated.

Your ability to communicate on a stage, in a meeting, or across a table isn’t just about charisma anymore—it’s about competitive edge. The winners in this next chapter? They won’t just be the fastest typers or the best resume writers. They’ll be the ones who can command a room, rally a team, and deliver ideas that land.

This isn’t just “everyone gets a trophy” territory. This is real-deal competition. And the most magnetic leaders will be the ones who show up as fully human—imperfect, yes, but real.

Personality Is Trainable

I know there’s a myth that you either have “it” or you don’t. But let me be clear: charisma isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build. Over time. With intention. And a little bit of help.

Just like you studied to gain technical skills, you can study yourself to grow your presence. You can play around with how you show up. You can train your personality to be more inviting, more warm, more open, more dynamic. It’s not about performing—it’s about unlocking the part of you that others already see glimpses of, and letting it shine a little brighter, a little more often.

This is about showing up as the side of yourself who’s generous. Collaborative. Energetic. Someone people want to follow. In a world where decision-makers are more risk-averse and AI is more polished than ever, being wonderful to work with will become a serious advantage.

Reps and Reality Checks

Training speaking skills isn’t a solo sport, and it’s not all theory. It’s exposure therapy. You’ve got to get in it.

I’ve heard about psychologists who treat people afraid of spiders by putting them into a virtual world full of creepy crawlies. That’s what I do with speakers. I drop them into high-stakes, real-feel scenarios—on camera, on mic, in front of peers—so they can experience the nerves and push through anyway. It’s not about eliminating fear. It’s about building confidence on top of it.

The key, though, is intention. If you’re just logging reps—talking without feedback, without goals—it might take a long time to grow. That’s why good training matters. Real progress happens when there’s a mix of immersion and strategy. And for me? Every speaking moment is a chance to play. To level up. My game is simple: make the other person feel uplifted.

That’s the secret. The objective of the game isn’t to impress—it’s to connect.

OK, Let’s Play

Today, we’re playing with one powerful idea:

Your voice might be the most irreplaceable asset you’ve got.

Ready: Think of speaking not as performance, but as presence. As a chance to communicate who you are—live and in real time. Where you can’t be polished by AI, but you can be felt.

Set: Get curious about how you actually feel when you speak. Do you tighten up? Do you overthink? Do you go blank? That’s not failure—it’s feedback. And feedback is your training plan.

Go: Here are a few playful ways to strengthen your speaking skills right now.

• Pick a moment this week to speak first in a meeting, not after you’ve calculated the perfect response.
• Record yourself introducing your work—then listen back and notice: what energy comes through?
• Create a weekly ritual where you riff on a topic out loud for five minutes, just for yourself.
• Schedule one “high-stakes” communication moment this month—a keynote, a panel, a pitch—and prep like it matters. Because it does.
  
  

The Mic Drop

Here’s your real reality check: if you thought you could coast in the background before, that time is over.

You’re not just competing with other talented peers. You’re competing with a whole new wave of tech that doesn’t get tired, doesn’t get flustered, and doesn’t forget its lines. AI will never burn out.

But you? You can walk into a room and change it. You can be felt. You can be trusted. You can be unforgettable.

Your voice—used wisely, joyfully, powerfully—is still one of the most human things about you.

So speak up. Speak clearly. Speak often.

Because in a world full of artificial, you are the real thing.
---


Hey there! I’m Blair Bloomston, author of UPLIFTED WEEKLY and your friendly consultant, facilitator, and game-based educator on-call, bringing a passion and penchant for all things play (I’m also alliteratively all-in). As the founder of Leaders Uplifted, I help leaders like you tap into creativity, connection, and confidence to make work feel less like a grind and more like a game. Keep reading with me— I’m here to be your business best friend. Let's go!