The Walk That Talks: How the Right Shoes Unlock the Communicator You Want to Be

You say you want to be a more effective communicator. But are you still wearing the same shoes?

Not metaphorically. Literally. The same shoes you wore when you were playing it safe. The same shoes you wore when you were trying not to be noticed. The same shoes you wore when you were performing someone else’s expectations instead of your own intention.

If you want to change how you show up—how you’re seen, felt, heard, and experienced—then start with your foundation. Start with your shoes.

Oscar Isaac once said, “For me, with a character, you start with the shoes.” That’s not just actor wisdom. That’s performance wisdom. And performance, when done with intention, isn’t pretending. It’s choosing actions that provoke outcomes.

Imagine This: You Step into a Room and Everyone Feels You Differently

Not because you’re louder. Not because you’re faking it. But because you’ve chosen to perform your role with clarity and consequence.

Actors know this well. Before the full costume is ready, they rehearse in shoes that match the silhouette and feel of their character. Why? Because shoes change how we move. They change our posture, our gait, our presence. They begin the transformation.

In business, leadership, and relationships, we wear costumes too—uniforms, dress codes, camera-ready makeup, fresh haircuts, polished nails. These aren’t superficial. They’re strategic. They shape how we act and how we feel. They can elevate us or expose us.

And yes, they can feel uncomfortable. But discomfort isn’t dishonesty. It’s the friction of growth. It’s the moment before ownership.

Here’s What You Need to Know: Authenticity Isn’t Fixed

We’ve been sold the myth of a singular, unchanging “true self.” But the truth is, authenticity evolves. It’s not a static identity; it’s a dynamic process of becoming.

Just like new shoes, our authenticity needs breaking in. We choose which shoes to wear, which roles to inhabit, which actions to perform. Or we let someone else choose for us.

You have autonomy. You have agency. You have the power to decide how you want to be experienced, and what actions will get you there.

Ready to Take the First Step?

Go find a pair of shoes that make you feel like the communicator you want to become. Not the one you’ve always been. The one you’re becoming.

Put them on. Walk around. Feel the shift.

Then ask yourself: What role am I ready to own? What action am I ready to perform?

Your Move

Step into your power. Literally. Choose the shoes that match your intention. Wear them with purpose. And let every step be a rehearsal for the communicator you’re becoming.

Because performance isn’t pretending. It’s choosing. And the right shoes make that choice real.

Want more strategies like this? This blog draws from ACTive Communication: How to Command Any Audience in Your Business and Your Life!—my book on turning intention into impact. Because communication isn’t just what you say. It’s how you perform it.