Public speaking can be a great way to showcase your skills, and professional expertise and improve your organizational visibility. But why is it so ******* hard (and intimidating!) to do?
Public speaking can be difficult because it involves ‘putting yourself out there’ (and allowing yourself to be vulnerable) in front of a group of people you (presumably) respect (i.e. colleagues, clients, friends, family).
Many people may feel nervous about being judged or evaluated by others, while others may have difficulty organizing their thoughts and expressing themselves clearly. Some people may also feel VERY anxious about forgetting what they want to say (aka ‘mind going blank’ syndrome!), rambling or stumbling over their words.
Public speaking requires a certain level of confidence and presence, which can be challenging to project…especially when you’re sweating up a storm and your stomach is doing backflips.
If you find public speaking hard – join the club! We do too. That’s why we’re so committed to improving this skill.
Because we know that by improving our public speaking skills, we’ll also be improving our level of self-confidence.
Here's why that's true:
1. Practice makes you feel more skilled and capable: The more you practice public speaking, the more comfortable and confident you will become in your abilities. Over time, you’ll realize that you’re even better than you thought you were. We recommend starting small by speaking in front of a small group of friends or family members and over time gradually working your way up to larger audiences.
✨ Success Story✨ : Watch how S4S alumni, Cristina Donaldo was able to work her way up to moderating an event attended by +100 people.
2. Overcome (or dramatically reduce) your fear: Successfully facing a fear (like speaking in front of a group of people) results in a significant sense of accomplishment. It becomes PROOF to yourself that with a little practice and preparation you can do it.
3. Supports your professional AND personal growth: Not only will you feel more capable at work, but improving your communication skills can also boost your confidence in your personal life; making those holiday family events, weddings and social gatherings much easier.
4. Prove to yourself that you are capable: Public speaking can help you build self-esteem by showing yourself that you are capable of learning and successfully performing a new skill. Research shows that this is positively correlated with a greater sense of self-worth and self-confidence.
Making The Leap
Overall, public speaking is a GREAT way to improve self-confidence by helping you overcome your fears, enhance your communication skills, and build self-esteem. With practice and dedication, you can improve your overall self-confidence.
Plus with Speak for Success, it can also be fun, safe and supportive.
Interested in becoming a member or partnering with Speak for Success for your team?
You can register today or book a call with one of our Learning Specialists to find out how we can support you or your team.
