What do you do if your public speaking mentee is struggling with confidence?

Confidence is interesting, it's surprising how many people look confident on the outside but do not feel confident on the inside. Fortunately, it is a 'trait' that can be improved upon with willingness, time and practice. The approach with my public speaking mentee would include: 1) Assessing the part mindset is playing. 2) Exploring emotional awareness/regulation factors. 3) Putting together an action plan to achieve the objective of increased easy, natural confidence.

Ask them to explain something they're interested in, as if talking to their best friend. Maybe it's a video game, or a sporting event, or a niche internet rabbit hole. It will likely feel easier for them to speak about something they know a lot about in a conversational way. This will allow you to better evaluate where their strengths and weaknesses lie while speaking publicly without nerves getting in the way. You can also use this technique to help build confidence in the speaker.

When guiding a mentee facing confidence challenges in public speaking, the key lies in a thorough assessment of their strengths and weaknesses. This approach enables personalized feedback that highlights their inherent talents while constructively addressing areas for improvement. Encouraging them to leverage their strengths during presentations can significantly boost their self-assurance. Simultaneously, developing a tailored plan to tackle their weaknesses transforms perceived obstacles into opportunities for growth. This balanced methodology not only nurtures confidence but also fosters a deep sense of accomplishment and progress.

There are two types of speakers, 1) Prepares for speech & 2) Speaking Spontaneously For the 1st type, confidence could be cause, especially I, can't. Here my take is lending ears to mentee, & figuring out compelling strength & admiring skills. Evaluating weak points & guiding with options to how best mentee become audience-engaging confident speaker. At times mentee may forget important points during speaking. Here, immerse into memory lane of life journeys, struggles, experience, etc. & connect heart with head & continue speaking, with hand gestures, stand straight & mentee can easily attract audience attention with spellbinding confidence. During live speech, AI won't be helpful!

If my public speaking mentee is struggling with confidence, I would first create a supportive and encouraging environment to address their concerns. I'd emphasize their strengths, providing constructive feedback to boost morale. Next, I'd focus on building their confidence gradually, starting with smaller speaking engagements and progressively increasing the challenge level. Practical techniques such as visualization, deep breathing, and positive affirmations can help alleviate anxiety. Additionally, I'd offer personalized coaching sessions to work on specific areas of improvement and provide resources for further self-study.

Understand that your Speaking skills develop gradually with practice and is not an overnight miracle. Be open to accepting whatever progress you have made. It doesn't have to be a 100%.

When mentoring someone in public speaking who is facing challenges with confidence, it's pivotal to guide them towards setting realistic and measurable goals. This approach not only provides a clear pathway for improvement but also offers tangible milestones that can bolster their self-assurance. Encourage them to focus on small, achievable objectives, such as incorporating a new skill into their next speech or engaging more directly with a few audience members. Celebrating these incremental victories will not only enhance their confidence but also foster a growth mindset, making the journey of mastering public speaking less daunting and more rewarding.

Practice, practice & practice with passion, patience & perseverance incredibly helpful to reduce filler words to large extent & to set realistic & measurable goals. Here again, I, can't to I, CAN is Key element to follow, to build brand as confident speaker.

Smart goals are Stressful, Homogenized, Inconvenient and Time Consuming. They do not boost your speaking confidence. Set milestones after the fact, not arbitrary goals beforehand.

When mentoring someone in public speaking who grapples with confidence, it’s essential to adopt a nurturing approach. Begin by acknowledging their efforts, highlighting what they’re doing right. This lays a foundation of positivity. Constructive feedback should follow, aimed at improvement rather than critique. Focus on specific areas with actionable advice, such as pacing or body language. Encourage practice in a safe environment, perhaps even simulate real scenarios they might face. Remind them that perfection isn’t the goal; growth is. Through this supportive framework, confidence naturally builds, transforming anxiety into assurance.

Observing and tracking their progress is important to understand their growth. One must always give them feedbacks and appreciate if they are trying to go out of their comfort zone and should support them.

Admiring mentee's speech cements his/her confidence to remarkable level & foster his/her to altogether new level, beyond mentor's expectations. Structured speech can make speaker audience-engaging which is possible through continuous practice & encouragement from mentor.

Try to observe from a nondescript place, as your presence might be a distraction. Watch them and watch the audience, and if you see a positive reaction, pass it on, for your person might be missing it.

Building confidence in public speaking is a journey, one that flourishes with practice and learning from the experiences of others. Encourage your mentee to actively engage in speaking opportunities, no matter how small. Each instance is a step towards mastery and self-assurance. Additionally, studying the techniques and methods of accomplished speakers offers invaluable insights. It's not just about emulating their style, but understanding the underlying principles of their effectiveness. This approach fosters a deep-seated confidence, rooted in skill and knowledge, paving the way for significant improvement in public speaking abilities.

I bring it right back to source. How do you feel and why? It’s never about the situation, it’s always about what is going on inside of you in response to the situation. Public speaking is the situation which triggers all those uncomfortable narratives within you. “How will I look?” “What will others think?” “What if I get exposed?” “What if I fail?” Underneath all of them, deep inside you somewhere is the belief “I’m not enough” It’s an imposter. But until you face it and see it consciously, it’ll keep on pulling your strings. When you find peace within. Simply by saying “I’m ok” and meaning it, knowing it, the situation becomes almost irrelevant. You deserve to get to know yourself on a deep level, you are worthy, you are enough.

The best part about this is practicing with their peers is always and most effective when we talk about developing skills. As public speaking is also form of skill one must continuously practice till they make it. Watching and learning from someone who is brilliant in this skill will definitely give them boost to move ahead.

Encouragement goes a long way in building confidence for the mentee. Providing ongoing support & recognising the individual’s progress no matter how small helps to boost morale. I would also teach relaxation techniques such as deep breathing to help manage pre speech nerves & reduce tension. Also I would also encourage my mentee to structure their thoughts, form pointers to share & take every public speaking as an opportunity for growth & self expression.

Repetition & consistency are more important than quality at the beginning. Focus on rewarding the ability to build the muscle rather than nitpicking at the content / delivery for the first few months. Then move on to finessing other aspects of their public speaking.

Yes, but in order to celebrate these, opportunities to succeed must be provided. What I’ve seen that has worked is, to be honest, trial by fire. Putting mentees into positions succeed is a great way to celebrate and coach.

When a public speaking mentee faces confidence hurdles, it's pivotal to shine a light on their journey, spotlighting both their accomplishments and the obstacles they've bravely faced. This approach isn't just about acknowledging success; it's a powerful reminder of their resilience and growth. By celebrating each milestone and challenge, we underscore the invaluable lessons learned through perseverance. This reinforcement serves as a beacon of encouragement, illuminating their path forward. It's about fostering a mindset where every experience, whether perceived as positive or negative, contributes to their development as a confident speaker.

Building them up by identifying what they did well, and constructive feedback on where they need to improve helps. I think beyond that, it is just a skill that takes practice to hone. Typically, in this situation, I would encourage my mentee to practice by delivering their speech / presentation to me one on one, and then slowly add other familiar faces from the office. Create a pressure free environment and encourage them to just be their true self. Often when learning how to be an effective public speaker, those without experience can feel that they need to be someone else, act different, or project traits that really are not them. Understanding that confidence is being your true self, and trusting in what you say is all that matters.

As a mentor it is very important to first listen and provide a supportive environment to your mentee. Encourage them to set attainable goals and practice regularly. Using the acronym BOOST: - Build self-esteem through positive affirmations and encouragement. - Offer constructive feedback and guidance. - Overcome fear by visualizing success. - Support them by being available for guidance and reassurance. - Teach them to embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth. Being an educator, I have mentored many students who were struggling with confidence but eventually gained self-assurance through consistent practice and encouragement, leading to a successful public speaking performance like debates, declamations and MUN's.

Every single accomplishment, be it small or BIG must be celebrated as big shout out on social platforms for 3 reasons: 1) Accomplishments are getting acknowledged & complimented very well by countless people 2) These releases 4 brain chemicals for self which play unbelievably catalytic roles in enhancing mentee's mindset ?? to build your personal brand 3) People from various walks of life & professions follow your footprint to get inspired & can navigate life successfully. Above strategies worked for me remarkably after the loss of my natural voicd 26 years ago to become Global Orator, Stotryteller, Mentor & Performance coach with Clarion voice. PS: If I can without natural voice, YOU pretty well CAN with natural voice. ??

Start early with reality: speaking and presenting is part of leadership, and it takes practice, for even those who seem to be natural talents still learn from others and practice. Let them know that their audience won't kill and eat them, and they will be interested if they make it interesting. Praise and critique constantly, but always in a positive tone.

Speakers build confidence when the message is uniquely theirs. Rather than work on speaking skills and set measurable goals, put your work into crafting a message and telling stories that only they can tell.

1. Encourage positive self-talk: Remind them of their strengths and capabilities. 2. Practice, practice, practice: Help them rehearse their speeches and provide constructive feedback. 3. Set achievable goals: Start with smaller speaking engagements to build confidence gradually. 4. Visualize success: Encourage them to imagine themselves delivering a confident and successful speech. 5. Celebrate progress: Acknowledge their efforts and improvements along the way.