Two Secrets to Being a Stronger Speaker

One of the most frequently asked questions I hear regarding public speaking is this… “Dean, how can I be more confident as a speaker?” I’ve been in this line of work for nearly 25 years, and year in and year out, that is one of the top questions asked.

And throughout my time leading The Latimer Group, my answer has remained essentially the same: Self-awareness and Practice.

First, the best public speakers are highly aware of how they show up as a speaker. They know their own strengths and weaknesses, and they spend time thinking about how their skills impact the audience.

Second, becoming a great public speaker requires practice. Most people falsely believe that those who do it well are just born with a natural gift. Not true. Few people seem to realize that this is a skill that can be practiced, coached and improved. In fact, the best speakers I know are almost always the ones who take this skill the most seriously and make the effort to be good. Just like any other skill worth having, the more we practice, the better we’ll get.

So, if this is a skill you want to have in your arsenal, then it starts with being more self aware of what you sound like and the impact you might be having on your audience. And then commit to a preparation and practice routine that will get you where you want to be. Great public speaking skills don’t just happen… There are no magic words of advice or magic potions that will immediately make you confident or eloquent. Like any other skill worth having, it requires commitment, an honest assessment of your own skills, some tools and approaches, and an open mind towards feedback and coaching.

I fundamentally believe this is a skill worth having and committing to. If you agree, then make the commitment and get to work. (And of course, if need some help, you know where to find us!)

Good luck!