What do you do if your public speaking skills as a Facility Management (FM) professional need improvement?

1 Assess Skills

Begin by taking a candid look at your current public speaking abilities. Identify specific areas where you feel less confident, such as articulation, maintaining eye contact, or handling questions on the fly. Understanding your strengths and weaknesses is the first step towards targeted improvement. You might consider recording yourself during a practice session to observe your body language and listen to your speech patterns. This self-assessment can be an eye-opening experience, revealing habits you weren't aware of and providing a baseline for your progress.

2 Seek Feedback

Don't hesitate to ask for constructive criticism from trusted colleagues or mentors within your FM network. Their insights can be invaluable, as they may notice subtleties in your speaking style that you've missed. Request feedback on specific aspects of your public speaking, such as clarity of your message, engagement with the audience, or use of visual aids. Remember, feedback is not about pointing out flaws but about finding opportunities for growth and learning from different perspectives.

4 Learn Techniques

Familiarize yourself with various public speaking techniques that can bolster your effectiveness. Techniques such as the use of pauses for emphasis, varying vocal pitch to maintain interest, and employing gestures to underscore key points can greatly enhance your delivery. Many resources are available, from online courses to local workshops, that specialize in public speaking and can offer new strategies tailored to FM professionals. By integrating these techniques into your repertoire, you'll be better equipped to captivate your audience.

5 Join Groups

Consider joining groups like Toastmasters, where you can practice public speaking in a supportive environment. These groups provide a platform for you to refine your skills regularly and receive feedback from fellow members who are also looking to improve their own abilities. The structured format of these meetings, often including impromptu speeches, will challenge you to think on your feet—a crucial skill for any FM professional facing unexpected questions or situations.

6 Embrace Technology

Lastly, leverage technology to enhance your public speaking skills. Various software tools can help you design compelling presentations, while video conferencing platforms allow for practicing in a virtual setting that mirrors many modern FM scenarios. Additionally, apps that focus on speech training can assist you in expanding your vocabulary and improving diction, ensuring that when you speak, your message is clear and impactful.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?