Written by: Tosin Ajogbeje Dated: 19/06/24
Public speaking is as substantial as guarding or owning your valor amid the populace. Communication is the mettle that keeps society standing on its feet or sitting on the exposed floors. Aha! And when “speech” or “performance” anxiety crops up, it becomes a whole different story. I remember how I once shielded myself from answering questions particularly in class or workshop forums, damn those were “fun” times in my wry voice. Nevertheless, I owe it to my previous work experience as a Student Union representative, where I sucked up the firmness to continuously advocate for student rights and responsibilities. Modelling a food to your own taste brings so much joy at the end of the meal. Being in charge of “your voice” and “your expertise” is a fundamental skill to have. Yes, confidence is indeed key and a backbone for public speaking!
Why is public speaking important?
Is it worth developing your public speaking skills? Absolutely! Ruminate on public speakers such as Martin Luther King, Maya Angelou, Tony Robbins, Hilary Clinton, Mel Robbins, even our dear mama Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama and presidents /politicians like Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama and other prolific and industrious persons who have (in several ways) impacted people/communities/nations/ through their remarkable speeches. But hold-up public speaking doesn’t stop here.
Not everyone is a fan of public speaking or has the zeal to speak in public. However, I should point out its overall benefits. Public speaking is highly required and handy in “all” areas starting from growing your confidence, your business ventures, and helping you make a difference in your local community.
To start with, public speaking helps to boost one’s morale and enables one to improve upon their expertise. We go out into the world daily with so much responsibilities coming our way. The process of putting a speech together often requires writing and research. Right? So in this case, developing written content for a speech enables you to build your communication skills and improves your morale at no cost.
All for work reasons; at least 85% of work professionals will agree with me that speaking in the workplace or in public will set you apart from the crowd. For example, as a researcher in-training, researching a topic and speaking about it has enabled me to distinctly present my presentations or speeches in a skillful way. The willingness to build some sort of engagement with the public will directly enable you to connect with the crowd/community/people, and in turn your reward will be waiting for you at the door. By communicating and engaging with the community, you will build your own clan (clan here means people who will support your work with full heedfulness).
How to carry that public speaking backpack like a champ?
You will surely make a difference in your daily life, local community and career once you accept the “public speaking commander” in you. If you want to rule the universe….um well or rather be a charismatic leader, then public speaking needs to be your pseudonym.
Someone once told me that a good way to overcome anxiety or fear in speaking is to earnestly prepare and practice. Practicing your lines or speech will enable you to overcome your jitters or nervousness. Asides this, engage with your audience or those you are speaking to. Ultimately, this will leave them asking for more messages or speeches next time you speak. Oliver Twist cravings! Most importantly, use words of assurance such as, “I know” we can achieve this together based on research or information given to us…..avoid using limiting words like oo I “think” we could achieve this……The word “I know” “based on research” leaves the crowd trusting your message, as well as embracing your truth and conviction.
Ruminate on positive things and watch public speakers who are dominating the game. Doubt is surely a bug, but strive as much as possible to kick it off. Entrust your words to your mouth and speak it out to you! Say it repeatedly with a bold heart: “I am good at this, I believe in me and I will work hard towards it”. Increase your confidence now.
Next point, watch and learn from the speeches made by astute speakers and preachers. This will enable you to shrewdly connect to your audience, improve your morale and subdue your fear. Likewise, practice and record your speeches to observe your voice and message in order to easily work on improving your public speaking skills. You can surely overcome the fear of speaking in public, be sure to note down the benefits of public speaking highlighted here and just embrace the real-life techniques of public speaking.
And certainly, watch out for the next write-up.