Dear friends,
Here is the free chapter of my award-winning book, “Secrets of Successful Public Speaking: How to Become
a Great Speaker.” You may share your thoughts about this book on social media
channels including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Introduction
"Of all the talents bestowed upon
men, none is so precious as the gift of oratory. He who enjoys it wields a
power more durable than that of a great king. He is an independent force in the
world. Abandoned by his party, betrayed by his friends, stripped of his
offices, whoever can command this power is still formidable." ―Winston
Churchill
Welcome to Secrets of Successful Public Speaking: How to Become a Great Speaker. Basically, I author books on executive
education, coaching, and leadership. But this book is on public speaking skills
to deliver your presentations successfully without any anxiety. As an international keynote speaker, I have
been thinking to author a book on this topic for many years but I was
preoccupied with other commitments that include training, research, and consultancy.
In fact, speaking is different from writing. Additionally, to author a book on
public speaking skills requires a lot of time and above all, passion. Since I
am on a sabbatical currently, I have authored this on it to cater to
educators, entrepreneurs, learners, and leaders to improve their public speaking
skills.
I am mostly self-taught because I
don’t have any mentor or guru. During my 38 years of diversified experience
that includes military, teaching, training, research, and consultancy, I
observed several speakers. Additionally, I have learned public speaking from my
successes and failures and, of course, more from my failures. Hence, I share with you my successes and
failures to enable you to adopt my successful practices and learn lessons from
my failures to become a great speaker and presenter.
Is
Public Speaking an Art or Craft?
Most people are afraid of speaking in
public places. Study shows that people are scared of two things—first on death
and second on public speaking. It is basically the fear that they might make
mistakes or others might make fun of them if their speeches go wrong. Hence,
people hesitate to speak in public places. Of course, there are many other
reasons why people are apprehensive to speak in public places. Several thinkers
have doubts about whether public speaking is an art or craft. The fact is that public
speaking is both an art and craft.
Is
Public Speaking a Talent or Skill?
Several people have doubts about whether public
speaking is a skill or talent. It is certainly a skill, not a talent. Skills
can be acquired from training, reading, observation, practice, and experience.
In contrast, talent is something people are blessed with. They acquire from their parents by birth. If
people are blessed with public speaking, it is a boon. Otherwise, people can hone
this skill by reading various books, observing other speakers and practicing
it. Hence, public speaking is a skill. There are several internationally
renowned speakers who had their reservations when they started to speak but
improved and finally to become great orators.
Presentation
versus Public Speaking Skills
People often use “presentation” and “public
speaking” interchangeably. In fact, there is often confusion between them.
Public speaking is general in nature while the presentation is specific in nature.
Presentation often involves usage of slides while public speaking involves
usage of spoken communication skills. Presentation involves a small audience
while public speaking involves a huge audience. There is intimacy with the
audiences in presentation while there is no such intimacy in public
speaking. Therefore, public speakers
will have lesser interaction than the presenters. Despite these differences in
presentation and public speaking, the challenges remain more or less the same for
the presenters and speakers at the core level while getting their messages
across to their audiences.
Advantages
of Public Speaking Skills
As a public speaker, you organize your
thoughts and speak clearly, logically and analytically. You learn to focus on
what is required leaving the unwanted to the trash. You enhance your interpersonal skills,
emotional intelligence, and spontaneity. You build your confidence and equip
with competence. You become a good listener, speaker, and leader. You will be
able to inspire others and make a difference.
As a public speaker, you increase your
visibility in the workplace professionally. You build more connections. You
develop interpersonal skills to handle various people. You can handle office
bullies and difficult people. You will become more assertive. You will be able
to communicate effectively with others and avert any conflicts and
miscommunication. You can mentor or coach your colleagues. You can make your
presence felt within your industry or sector. You get offers to deliver
seminars and keynote conferences. Your market value goes up rapidly. You can grow as a celebrity. You will be
surrounded by more people. You can grow as a thought leader. To summarize, you
build your credibility, enhance your visibility and build your leadership
brand. You will be more marketable with ample employment opportunities. You can
strengthen your CV. You can become a successful educator, entrepreneur, and
leader with your public speaking skills.
Learn
Leadership and Public Speaking by Practice
As you learn leadership by practice,
you learn public speaking skills by practice. It requires immense passion to excel as a leader and speaker. When you look at most leaders, they are orators.
They utilize public speaking skills to grow as great leaders. When you look at
Winston Churchill, he played a crucial role during the Second World War. He
provided a ray of hope when the entire world was beset with war clouds. He took
the world out of war clouds. Hence, public speaking skill is an asset. You may
be betrayed by everybody including your friends and well-wishers but the
command on your public speaking will not let you down. It is more than a
friend and will stand by you forever. Hence, acquire the public speaking skill to
survive during tough times and thrive during your great times.
Tools
to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills
Here are some tools to improve your
public speaking skills.
- Attend training programs to
observe the presentation styles of various speakers. Find out what makes each speaker stand out from others. Ask questions at the end of the session to overcome your apprehensions.
- Maintain a journal and jot down
their ideas and insights. You can read them during your free time to
understand and absorb the content.
- Observe videos of eminent
speakers to find out how they inspire others. How each speaker begins her/his presentation? How each speaker connects with audience members? How each speaker responds to the question and answer session?
- When you observe various speakers
speak, you evolve your own style of speaking.
- Practice presenting in front of
small groups until you become more comfortable and confident. Gradually go
in front of huge audiences to speak.
- Be confident about your content.
- Take feedback from your audiences
to find out your strengths and weaknesses. Consolidate your strengths and
concentrate on your concerns to overcome.
- Practice regularly.
- Hire a public speaking coach, if
possible. You can overcome your anxieties and acquire public speaking
skill within a short span.
If you want to learn swimming, you
must practice. If you want to learn driving, you must practice. Similarly, if
you want to learn public speaking, you must practice. Therefore, everything
boils down to practice. The practice is the key to excellence and perfection.
Hence, learn the art and craft of public speaking to grow as a great speaker
and orator.
Public
Speaking is a Lucrative Career
Presentation skills are pivotal for
all professionals to convey their ideas and insights and to market their
products and services to their customers. These skills are required from top to
bottom of a corporate ladder either to communicate within the organization or
outside the organization. They are imperative in the workplace, and in social
life to present your ideas, insights, and viewpoints. It helps you showcase
your strengths in the presence of all members.
There are many people who have huge potential and knowledge but are
scared of delivering their speeches in public places. It is for this reason several professional
courses are offered to train and groom you as presenters and speakers. The presentation skills are an integral part
of business communication as businesses must constantly communicate with their
stakeholders including customers, suppliers, financial institutions, government
agencies, and employees.
Most managers and leaders are aware
that public speaking is crucial to their career success. But they have
innumerable apprehensions and anxieties. If they are persuaded that public
speaking is like a simple speaking with only a difference of more people viewing
them, listening to them and questioning them, it is easy to overcome their
anxieties and apprehensions.
Some senior leaders and CEOs hire
coaches to acquire public speaking skills. When you look at Mark Zuckerburg,
the CEO of Facebook, he had inhibitions to speak in public places initially.
Gradually he improved because he understood the significance of hiring a coach
to improve his behavior. Similarly, many leaders understand the importance of
acquiring public speaking skills to enhance their career prospects.
Most companies understand the
importance of public speaking skills and conduct training programs regularly to
enable their executives to communicate effectively with others. For instance,
John Chambers Cisco CEO emphasizes public speaking and encourages their
executives to ensure smooth communication within the organization. Ron Ricci,
Cisco’s Vice President of Customer Experience Services explains, “The world is
changing so fast that your ability to keep up as a communicator requires
constant reinforcement and feedback. For John Chambers, a big part of feedback
is not just how the presentation is delivered, but how the content is received.
It’s a barometer of whether we’re sticking to our ‘True North’ of being a
customer-centric company.”
If you want to succeed in your career,
you must know how to write and speak well. They are the deciding factors in the
current corporate world. Hence, acquire both writing and speaking skills to
stand out from others.
Public speaking is a transferable a skill that can be applied in any industry and sector irrespective of its size.
Treat learning public speaking skills as an investment, not an expense. Acquire
this art and craft to fast-track your career, earn great money and build your leadership
brand. You can thrive in any industry. Remember, public speaking is a lucrative
career!
References
Share if you care.
Life is great!
Professor
M.S. Rao
Founder of MSR Leadership
Consultants India
Thanks for reading!
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