The short answer? Everyone.
Think about it: when was the last time you heard someone say, "I love public speaking!" ?
Rare. Public speaking tends to provoke feelings of fear and anxiety in most people. But why is that? And why does it matter?
If speaking to an audience makes you nervous, you are not alone. Mastering the art of public speaking is a skill, and practice benefits everyone.
The truth is, we have been speaking all our lives. Around age one, we started speaking, and we haven't stopped talking since. So, what is the big deal about public speaking anyway?
We must speak in team settings, build new business connections, and strive to sell our ideas, concepts, and products or services. If you want to persuade people to buy, sell, or become their best, you must use communication skills.
So why do anxiety and fear show up when we think about doing formal types of public speaking and presentations? In my opinion, we seem to have pre-determined beliefs about speaking and begin comparing ourselves to others when we need to realize that by obtaining the right skills, the act of speaking doesn't need to feel so dramatic.
Ask any top CEO or manager why they invest in public speaking skills, and they will tell you why.
Here are three examples of why you should embrace your fears around speaking and recognize the benefits of why you should be saying more.
Enhanced leadership & influence. Speaktopia says, "Public speaking enables leaders to particulate their vision clearly, inspire and motivate teams towards shared goals. This ability is essential for driving organizational skills."
Improved Confidence and Decision-Making "…it boosts self-confidence, vital for making decisive choices and enables the leader's ability to handle challenging situations and crises." Sacus Leadership
Career Advancement & Professional Growth, "Proficiency in public speaking opens up opportunities for career progression by enhancing visibility and credibility in the industry." Adam Tank
As a TEDx coach, speaker coach, and distinguished member of Toastmasters International, if public speaking is something you have considered separate from your professional attributes and not a necessary business skill, consider these benefits above, for starters.
Trust me, you already know how to speak, so adding essential tips, tools, and techniques to your resume will improve your mindset and overall professional and personal development skills.
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