The Power of Public Speaking: Use Your Voice
by Alexa Le
Oh, the fear of standing in front of a crowd and not knowing what to say. For some, it’s a recurring nightmare, but for the majority of the population, that has been their reality at one point or another. The fear of public speaking, or glossophobia, affects about 73% of the population, even when it is one of our most commonly used skills. Most simply try to live with this fear and avoid actions that would put them in those situations. However, that’s not always the best idea.
Communication is of paramount importance to make a change. We all want to better both ourselves and the world around us, but we cannot do that unless we speak loudly, speak proudly, and use our voice in a profound manner. If you wish to become a leader in today’s world you must be able to enhance your earnest messages with strong public speaking skills, telling others in a clear and defined manner about how you want to improve society. To be significant, you must be impactful.
A leader is someone who directs plans, motivating people with their words and actions to bolster positive transformations. Whether you aim to inform, influence, or inspire, you must be able to stand up on that stage and communicate your ideas. From job interviews to panel discussions or to simply spreading the word about an important event, speaking up will have a large impact on your life and how you express your objectives. You must use your voice for good, and especially for those whose voices aren’t heard.
When you watch a charismatic speaker delivering their message for the world to see, you may feel as though you could never do anything like that, even on a smaller scale. But you must remember that public speaking is a learned skill, one that is acquired through time, patience, and practice. Here are three public speaking techniques you can incorporate into your daily life to convey your message more effectively.
Don’t overcomplicate things: Public speaking is more than using big, fancy words to make yourself seem more intelligent. You must remember that you have to achieve two things when speaking to an audience. In order to communicate your goal effectively. First, they must understand what you’re saying. Secondly, they must connect to your speech, filling them with the need to take action immediately. If you over complicate your message, then you can’t expect them to be inspired. Often times, the best speeches are those that are spoken from the heart and filled with passion, making it obvious that you truly care about what you’re saying instead of spouting off a script.
Nonverbal communication: Most people underestimate the power of nonverbal communication in public speaking because it’s so easy! When combined with the right speech, what is left unspoken can have just as profound of an impact as the verbal. With smiles, hand gestures, and eye contact, this technique will be sure to have your audience engaged and listening.
Add calls to action: While you can certainly inspire someone to take action by talking about why an issue is important, most people require a bit more convincing than that. A call to action can tell the audience what to do next, and prompt them to take steps towards helping instead of merely thinking about it.
Never be afraid to speak up for both yourself and others. By becoming an effective public speaker, you will become a catalyst for promoting unity and change.
Footnotes….https://nationalsocialanxietycenter.com/social-anxiety/public-speaking-anxiety/