Everyone will have to speak in front of an audience sooner or later. Whether it’s 1,000 people or an interview panel of three, becoming a more confident speaker is a skill you’ll need throughout your career.
The Challenge
The thought of everyone looking at you terrifies you. You’d rather sit your hardest exam again than get onto that stage. And when you start your presentation, you’re shaking so much, you’re sure everyone can see it.
The Solution
You can go from zero to 100 and push yourself to get through these moments, or you can find opportunities to practise public speaking in everyday life to gain confidence over time.
I want to share five ways to create your own opportunities to speak to audiences. With deliberate practice you will get better and your confidence will grow. Stronger skills plus increased confidence is a recipe for success and I bet that sooner or later you will enjoy speaking to audiences about the things that matter to you.
Idea 1: Actively contribute to team meetings
If you’re usually quiet during team meetings, why not challenge yourself to take a more active role next time?
Select a specific agenda item to contribute to or start by asking a question.
Whenever you speak up in front of a group, it counts. It’s all part of practising and will help you gain confidence to do more of it.
Idea 2: Offer to present at a lunch & learn session
You have knowledge and skills worth sharing. Let others learn from you, especially within the business context of your organisation.
If lunch & learn sessions aren’t a thing, start them. If you’re not up for that, ask around (or post on Slack) to see who’d be interested in a one-off session you’re hosting.
Idea 3: Record a video of a process you own and share it with the team
If you’re not ready yet for a live presentation, start with a video. You can record and edit it before you share.
It doesn’t have to be long. Found a shortcut in the analytics tool your team uses? Record your screen, talk people through it, and share the video. Attended an industry event and want to let others know about the experience? Talk to the camera for a minute with your key takeaways and hit send.
Videos are great for putting your ideas together in a coherent, simple script for others to listen to.
Idea 4: Give a toast
Whether you’re invited to a family gathering or celebrating a birthday in the office: grab the mic (if there is one) and say a few sentences about the person. This is a fun way to share a (nice) personal story, give someone a compliment, or say thanks in a more public way.
It’s a great way to practise your public speaking skills, too.
Idea 5: Introduce yourself to a group of people at a networking event
Wandering around an event on your own can feel awkward. Let me assure you, everyone is in the same situation, even if they came with a colleague. People will be fine with you joining their group, so go ahead and do it.
Try “Hey, do you mind if I join your conversation?” as you step closer, then introduce yourself briefly and offer a question, so the chat can continue. For example, ask them what they thought of the keynote speaker or if there are any upcoming talks they recommend attending.
The Next Step
Pick one of the above ideas and put it into action in June. There are a few days in May left for you to do some planning and then it’s time to take action.
Some things to remember:
- Keep it simple and short
- Done is better than perfect – don’t overthink it
- Give yourself enough time to practise beforehand
- Set one or two goals for yourself, e.g. “keep eye contact with audience” or “remember to speak slowly”, then reflect on them afterwards
Public speaking can be a game changer for your career and opens up opportunities you never knew existed.
If you’d like help beyond today’s blog, my public speaking coaching package might be just what you’re looking for. Send me a message and let’s chat!
Have a great week!
Eva