IT Leadership

Introduction

Public speaking can be intimidating, whether for a small meeting or in front of a large crowd. However, learning to overcome these fears and channel that energy into developing public speaking skills will ultimately assist leaders in promoting and communicating their ideas to their team and beyond. This article will discuss the importance of public speaking, developing self-awareness and empathy, and exploring tools to enhance your public speaking skills.

The Importance of Public Speaking

Public speaking offers an array of benefits, from increased confidence to improved leadership. Below are some of the reasons why every leader should prioritize public speaking:

1. Provides confidence and improves self-awareness

Public speaking keeps individuals accountable for their thoughts and beliefs, forcing them to explore why they feel a certain way and what evidence they have to support it. It is a way of developing self-awareness as you confront your anxieties and challenge yourself to control your emotions rather than letting them control you. Public speaking also helps build confidence as you improve and refine your speaking skills and see positive results from your efforts. Leaders who exude confidence draw their team together with a common purpose and motivate them to achieve goals.

2. Builds empathy and understanding

Public speaking is not just about conveying information but also about connecting with your audience. Leaders must put themselves in the audience’s position and consider what is important to them and what they want to hear. Developing empathy skills enables leaders to connect with their team on a deeper level and understand their team’s emotions, wants, and needs. This is crucial for gaining support for initiatives and building trust within the team.

3. Forms a strong network

Public speaking allows leaders to demonstrate their expertise and knowledge on particular topics. It provides avenues to meet and engage with others with similar or different areas of expertise. This proves crucial when leading a diverse team with different backgrounds and specialties. A well-connected leader can better advocate for their team and be aware of developments and changes that may affect their work.

4. Helps leaders learn and grow

Public standing requires individuals to research topics in depth, form an informed opinion, and support that opinion with evidence. This process allows leaders to expand their knowledge on various topics and understand the world around them, ultimately helping them make more informed decisions for themselves and their team.

Developing Empathy and Self-Awareness

Self-awareness and empathy are crucial when leading a team. This section will explore some activities that encourage the development of these skills and how they can be applied to public speaking.

1. Meditation

Meditation is a powerful tool for developing self-awareness and empathy. It helps individuals become more mindful by accepting and embracing the present moment. Meditation helps quiet the mind, breathing slower and more deliberately, which in turn slows down the pace of everyday life. This slowed-down mindset fosters a deeper understanding of your emotions and those of others, making you more empathetic and connected.

2. Dream Journaling

Keeping a dream journal can be a transformative practice for leaders. Nighttime dreams represent the unconscious mind’s creative expression and can offer powerful insights into our lives. By recording your dreams, you can enhance your self-awareness by tapping into this unconscious expression and empathizing with the emotions and situations represented in your dreams.

3. Deep reading

Deep reading refers to thoroughly absorbing and engaging with text, allowing the reader to immerse themselves in the world described by the writer. This contrasts with the more passive activity of skim reading. Deep reading fosters empathy as readers imagine themselves in the story and put themselves in the author’s shoes. This practice also helps you recognize the author’s logical patterns, allowing you to do the same when listening to others’ perspectives, appreciating their line of thought, and empathizing with their convictions.

4. Sensory awareness

Our senses connect us to the world around us, and developing awareness of the senses can lead to better empathy and self-awareness. Leaders can try focusing on one sense at a time, blocking out the others momentarily. For instance, leaders can close their eyes to block out sight and become aware of sounds, or they can block out sound with headphones and focus on sight. This focuses your attention on one sense and helps you become more aware of your senses and more empathetic towards others.

Tools To Enhance Your Public Speaking Skills

Several tools and resources can help you become a more confident and engaging public speaker. Below are some valuable assets to consider:

1. Toastmasters

Toastmasters International is a nonprofit organization that offers a global network of clubs for people to develop their public speaking skills. Members learn how to organize and plan talks, how to speak confidently and dynamically, and how to effectively handle audience questions.

2. Public speaking classes

There are many public speaking classes available that teach valuable skills like how to pitch yourself or a product, articulate and sell an idea, and overcome anxiety or nervousness when speaking. These classes also help you become a better listener, which translates to your leadership style and how you lead your team.

3. Practice with storytelling

Storytelling is an essential element of public speaking. Leaders can practice storytelling techniques to refine their public speaking skills. Tell your story intentionally and with a clear message in a way that resonates with your audience. This will help audiences remember the content of your speech and make your communication more impactful and engaging.

4. Videotaping and observing yourself

Videotaping yourself is an invaluable tool for improving public speaking skills. Watching yourself speak allows you to see aspects that others in the audience may see, such as your body language, tone, and pace. This helps you become more aware of your delivery and make adjustments to appear more confident and engaging.

5. Seeking feedback

Feedback is essential for improving public speaking skills. Leaders can request feedback from their audience members or colleagues; however, it may not always be easy to ask or receive feedback. Consider seeking feedback from a trusted mentor or friend who is honest and willing to provide constructive criticism.

Conclusion

Leaders must prioritize public speaking and develop the skills to do so effectively. Public speaking skills are foundational to leadership, as they help leaders communicate clearly and effectively and foster empathy and self-awareness. These skills empower leaders to connect with their audience and team on a deeper level and lead with confidence and conviction.

Remember, public speaking is a learnable skill; with practice and persistence, anyone can master it and enjoy the myriad benefits it offers.