The Rituals
Three must-haves for your hosting routine + The Hour of Power Series.
Hey, I’m Penny Terry and I love writing about ‘soft skills’ while simultaneously hating the phrase ‘soft skills.’ At the moment I’m writing a 10-part series about hosting everything from meetings to podcasts, to events. Even if that doesn’t feel like your thing, I reckon you’ll get more out of it than you expect. We all host something, most days. Either way, we’ll return to regular programming once the series is done.
I didn’t think I was into rituals, but it turns out I am. While I tend to call them routines, (out loud, to others, afraid of sounding woo-woo), I reckon there’s a subtle difference between the two. A routine is more likely to be a set of actions performed regularly, often without much thought, like brushing your teeth. A ritual, on the other hand, is full of intention. It’s a deliberate practice that prepares your body, mind and spirit for what’s ahead. Perhaps I am a little more woo-woo than I realise.
Back when I was working in radio, I had some rituals that I’ll admit are going to make me sound odd. However, they also helped me get the job done with less chaos and worry and more confidence and rigour. So, I’m happy with odd.
The first one: I managed to convince myself I didn’t need to even think about preparing my scripts or notes until one hour before the show. I’d set this arbitrary deadline intentionally as I found it gave me enough time to get things done without worrying about prep all morning (or all afternoon, depending on which shift I was doing). But it was more than that. It also helped me avoid overworking (read: overthinking) things, meaning I could still bring my authentic voice to each segment, didn’t get too locked into ideas, and would be able to respond naturally to whatever came up during the broadcast. Routine? Nah, this was a ritual.
The second one/s: I'd then print out all my stuff, in order, staple the right parts together, and have it all ready in a neat pile, before nicking into the loo. Then, I’d go into the studio, as soon as the news bulletin started and the previous host finished up. I had five minutes to set the studio up in a way that worked for me, so again, I needed a process that was down pat. I had a special order in which I’d log onto the different computers, bring up my favourite webpages, load my ‘carts’ into the on-air software, and which faders I’d have fully up and halfway up (yep, that’s a thing). Even the placement of my notes, drink, screens, microphone and height of my chair were part of this ritual.
The third one/s: During the show, the rituals continued. I’d always get up to welcome guests into the studio and walk them around to their spot. I’d then let reel off the same little explainer about how the interview would work, letting them know that while I may not always be looking directly at them during the interview, I was still listening while keeping an eye across text messages, Facebook comments, the news feeds and instructions from my producer.
The third one/s cont: I’d make sure to put my used notes and scripts in a designated spot so I could find them quickly if I needed them again. I’d make sure I always had the next three things I was going to do lined up and ready to go (songs, promos or pre-recorded packages), plus I’d write them down in order, crossing them off as we went. This gave me the freedom to be really present in my interviews without having to think about what buttons I needed to press once the interview wrapped up. I’d always have a pen handy (literally in-my-hand) to take notes, so I wouldn’t forget key insights I wanted to come back to.
The last one: After each interview, I’d get up and walk my guests out, and I’d use the news break to stretch my legs, keep my blood flowing and help me focus on any new information that was being broadcast in the bulletin. After the show, I’d staple all my notes together with the show rundown on top and place them in a specific spot before going through a whole list of jobs to properly wrap up the show.
So yeah, I had a few rituals.
These rituals might have been invisible to others, but they were crucial for me.
What I came to realise is that these rituals made me feel ready.
They were readiness rituals.
As such, I’d add new rituals whenever something went wrong to help prepare for something similar happening again.
Importantly, they helped me be ready for anything as live broadcasting is a pretty random beast. In a nod to Author Kaleel Jamison, I learned to hold these rituals “loosely with an open hand” because things could and did change quickly.
No matter what you’re hosting, I think rituals are important. As habits expert James Clear puts it, "We do not rise to the level of our goals; we fall to the level of our systems."
So, if that’s how odd I am, how odd are you?!
What little rituals do you have? Which ones are intentional and serve you well, and which are more unconscious routines you’re stuck in? Are there things you do to help you get in the zone for an interview and then help you find the gold within? What do you do to bring great energy to an event or bring your curiosity to a meeting?
If it’s time for a rituals audit - here are some things to consider.
Punctual: Guide Your Timing
Rituals of punctuality create a buffer in our schedules - they allow us to control time rather than time controlling us. These are the ultimate stress-less hacks for hosts. Like my ritual of starting my prep at a set time, they make everything fall into place when we need it to. These rituals are intentionally set to fit the way we work, boosting our strengths and quieting our crutches. Then once we’re into it, they help us maintain the rhythm of the show without feeling like we’re filling or running out of time, keeping us a step ahead and setting a calm atmosphere for success.
Prepared: Gather Your Tools
Being prepared involves having a ritual for gathering and using our tools. Just like I’d print my scripts in order and put my faders in their rightful place, having a process to get the best from our tools makes the life of a host so much easier. This could mean placing our notes in a place where we can see them while looking at the Zoom camera, it might be the way we put on our headset, or where we place an agenda or extra mic. It’s about having our resources at hand so we can adapt to any situation that arises. As we host, we can use these rituals to quickly access key information or adjust to unexpected changes. I find it reinforces readiness.
Present: Ground Yourself
Presence is about being fully engaged in the moment. Before heading into an interview, I’d plan the next three steps, allowing me to concentrate fully on the conversation I was in (rather than the one I just had or would have next). It’s useful to develop rituals that ground us in the moment or can pull us back if our mind starts to wander. Simple actions like taking a deep breath, focusing on listening, or feeling our feet on the ground can anchor us in the present. Plus, having a clear map of how things are likely to play out, helps us to stay in the now as we already know what’s happening next.
So yeah, I am a rituals person. They’re a simple way to feel ready for anything and can turn ordinary hosts into extraordinary ones.
So go on, get your rituals out - I’d love to hear about your oddness.
In the next article, we’ll move from building rituals to building rapport as I unpack another three things to help you be a better host during interviews, podcasts, events or meetings.
Series: Hour of Power
Three workshops. One hour a week. This September.
You asked for it, and here it is!
This September, I’m launching my Hour of Power Series.
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You can book your favourite workshop, book all three, or check out the ultimate ticket which has a few added extras.
I’ve included some more details below and here’s a big button to buy your tickets.
Workshop 1: Ask Better Questions – Be Curious
Monday 9th September
Feeling like you’re not getting all the information you need? Learn how to ask the right questions to steer discussions in the right direction and uncover the insights that matter. I’ll guide you through my Question Compass, helping you decide when to search for more information, how to extract key details, clarify uncertainties, or expand on ideas. With these skills, you'll confidently navigate conversations, knowing when to dig deeper, change course, or wrap things up.
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Monday 16th September
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