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Public Speaking
Public Speaking
Topic
Confidence is an important part of leading team meetings. As such, you need to be reminded of a few basics of developing confidence, so you can earn the respect of your teammates.
Public speaking is among the most effective ways to convey your message and encourage others to take action. And the best part is that everyone can do it, f they have the necessary confidence.
Yet, 75 percent of the population feels uneasy or even terrified of talking in front of an audience. That means that over 200 million people are afraid of sharing their ideas with others using one of their best assets - their mouths.
It also means many potential leaders will fail to become who they aspire to be; countless products will never get to improve someone's life, and thousands of ground-breaking solutions will never materialize. If that resonates with you on a profound level, you probably wish there was a quick fix to eliminate your fears and give you the courage to get your ideas out there and not dread public speaking.
Sadly, there's no instant formula to suddenly becoming Chris Gardner. But here's the good news. - All it takes is building your confidence and consistent practice.
People are born with only two innate fears: the fear of loud sounds and the fear of falling. Meetings and public speaking are not among them because something caused them at some point in your life, such as an embarrassing event or someone's malicious behavior or comments.
Although exploring your mind and finding the trigger can be painful, it can help you confront the memory. Remember, you're no longer in that situation, and doing what terrifies you can unlock your bravery.
The more you put yourself in situations that make you uneasy, the more they'll become a regular occurrence, and your fear will diminish with each new exposure. But make yourself more comfortable by practicing in front of people who support you and can provide constructive feedback.
That will help you be less self-critical and more confident about what you have to say.
The success of public speaking depends, to a large extent, on how you come across to your audience. If your voice is quavering, your posture isn't stable, and you're breathing too fast, that will impact your delivery, and you'll become overly self-aware.
Diaphragmatic breathing will help you reduce your heart rate and blood pressure, allowing you to stay composed and focused on your speech. Make this technique your habit by inhaling slowly through your nose, holding your breath for approximately two seconds, and exhaling steadily through your mouth for roughly six seconds.
Instead of placing all the focus on what to do with your hands, use your whole body as a support in conveying your message. Move meaningfully and with purpose.
Consider how your position in the room or on stage relates to the point you're making. For example, you should be closer to your audience when opening and closing the speech and reinforce your points with relevant hand gestures.
Just like no one was born with a fear of public speaking, no one was born a stellar public speaker. Read about how some of the world's best public speakers developed their skills, find their advice on how to practice, and watch their videos to understand what makes them captivating.
However, if you prefer personalized training and hands-on experiences, enroll in programs that will help you build your confidence and be a more persuasive storyteller. That will allow you to practice with professionals and learn what to focus on and how to enthrall your audience.
Public speaking is a borderline nightmare for many people, which impacts their confidence and ability to become excellent leaders and inspire others. Practice and learning effective techniques can help them feel more comfortable talking in front of others and, eventually, become skilled speakers.
Our public speaking programs are structured to teach you how to overcome your fears, present your message, and master your communication skills. Click here to discover more about our workshops and how we develop inspiring storytellers.
