For years, people have been told there is one way to be a good speaker: loud, confident, funny, polished. If that is not you, the message goes, you had better become it.
I believe that advice has kept many brilliant people silent.
When I developed the Speaker's Craft framework, I wanted to build something that honoured how different speakers really are. It rests on four pillars and eleven dimensions of speaking skill, and it identifies eight archetypes: eight natural speaking styles, each with its own strengths and its own growth edges.
Why archetypes matter
Think of the speakers who have moved you. Some were quiet and precise. Some were warm storytellers. Some were fiery and bold. Some made you laugh until you forgot you were learning. They did not succeed by becoming the same. They succeeded by becoming more fully themselves.
An archetype is not a box. It is a starting point. It tells you what you naturally do well, so you can build from strength instead of imitating someone else.
What knowing your archetype changes
- You stop comparing yourself to the wrong model. A reflective speaker does not need to become a comedian.
- You know what to lean into. Your strengths become your signature.
- You know what to develop. Every archetype has blind spots. Knowing them makes practice focused.
How to find yours
The Speaker Competency Index is a self-assessment that measures you across the eleven dimensions and identifies your archetype. It takes around ten minutes and gives you a clear picture of where you are strong and where you can grow.
Great speakers are not copies. They are originals who practised.