The single most frequently asked question 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 more than 15 years, and every year, I hear that question more than any other.
And throughout my time leading The Latimer Group, my answer has remained essentially the same: Self-awareness and Practice.
Great public speaking is a skill that lots of people wish they had, but few people actually possess. And most people seem to think that those who do it well are just born with a natural gift. Very few people seem to realize that this is a skill that can be practiced, coached and improved; the best speakers I know are almost always the ones who take this skill the most seriously and make the effort to be good. I know very few people who are great at this skill without any practice or effort. Just like any other skill worth having, the more we practice, the better we’ll get.
This is the time of year when most of us make promises to ourselves to be better at something in the new year. If you’ve decided to put better public speaking on your wish list, make sure you are thinking about this in the correct way. 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.
Just like any other skill, this requires an honest assessment of your own skills; some tools and approaches to work with; an open mind towards feedback and coaching; and a commitment to practice. That’s it.
Good luck!
At The Latimer Group, our individual Coaching services are highly customized and designed to help you achieve your specific goals. Typical engagements focus on developing skill sets in Leadership Communications, Public Speaking, and Executive-Level Business Presentations. To learn more, e-mail us at info@TheLatimerGroup.com
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