Interview with the lecturer: Bc. Michaela Jadrná, DiS.

Bc. Michaela Jadrná, DiS. is not only a lecturer at ESBM but also teaches at several universities. She is a certified coach of the Czech pronunciation standard, which is why she often coaches TV presenters and actors, as well as managers, teachers, and salespeople. In March 2025, her book Don’t Hesitate, Speak is published – a practical guide for anyone who gives presentations or speaks in public.

What inspired you to write the book?

To be honest, I had no intention of publishing at all. The idea actually came from my publisher, who approached me after attending one of my workshops. We researched the market and found that there weren’t many new publications on this topic, even though interpersonal communication is constantly evolving, and the rules that applied 15 years ago no longer work today.

Can you give a specific example?

Yes, for instance, we need to learn the rules of how to present online or how to appear in videos we record for social media. Where to direct eye contact, how to control our body to avoid distracting gestures while also not standing stiffly like a robot. How to work with pronunciation as more and more foreign words enter the Czech vocabulary. How to expand active vocabulary or how to deal with nervousness, which is affecting more and more people.

Why do you think stage fright is becoming more common?

There is even research on this. Would you believe that up to 70% of people fear public speaking more than death? There’s a simple explanation for it. People don’t talk to each other as much anymore. Communication has moved online; we often send short messages instead of making phone calls. Many expressions are replaced with abbreviations or emojis. The COVID pandemic also played a role when we couldn’t meet in person. And with social media, people fear negative comments or embarrassing situations.

What makes your book different from other rhetoric publications?

It is full of practical advice and exercises, so readers can try everything out in practice. Besides the “theory,” I also answer the most common questions I get during my workshops or from students in class. Readers will likely have similar questions, so they will get their answers right away.

This brings us to your lecturing at ESBM. Who can meet you there?

I have been lecturing at ESBM for three years and lead the module Communication Skills for Real Estate Agents within the MBA Real Estate Innovation & Excellence specialization. With students, we focus on verbal and non-verbal communication, negotiation, argumentation, conflict situations, and techniques to make speech more engaging.

What message would you like to send to ESBM students?

American philosopher and writer Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: “All great speakers were once bad speakers.” So don’t be afraid of mistakes or awkward moments, they are part of the learning process. I wish you great success, and DON’T HESITATE, SPEAK!