What do you do if you're missing out on career growth by skipping public speaking events?

Mastering the art of public speaking is essential for effective leadership, but it often comes with feelings of anxiety and nervousness. The journey to becoming a proficient public speaker starts with finding your authentic voice and creating compelling, meaningful content. When you speak from a place of importance, your passion for the message shines through, making your delivery significantly more impactful. However, the true key to success lies in consistent and dedicated practice. Accomplished speakers refine their skills through regular and extensive practice sessions, continually honing their craft.

Allow me to assert that public speaking is not merely an ancillary skill but an essential component of career advancement. By avoiding these opportunities, you deny yourself a platform to articulate your vision, to engage in discourse with a broader network, and, indeed, to establish your own intellectual credentials. Leadership, as we know, is not merely a function of knowledge but of communication. It is through the art of speaking that one can inspire, influence, and shape the trajectory of one’s professional journey. Well what can be done, first change the mindset, second do not be afraid to fail, third keep practicing and keep learning through your mistakes. Most importantly start acting now. Grab the opportunity and speak.

Most people who missing out on public speaking opportunities which can elevate their career growth do so because of their fear of failure and fear of being judged. The best ways to overcome this Fear is to address it head on and work towards overcoming this fear. 2 key ways this can happen is through knowing your material & proper practice Work on internalising your topic that you are going to speak about & internalize it without learning by Rote. Truly understand the context. Then practice properly - in front of a mirror or in front of peers and take feedback. Implement the feedback and record yourself. Play it back & observe yourself. The more you get comfortable with your material and with deep practice you can overcome your fear.

Recognizing and accepting your apprehensions related to public speaking is the initial stage in conquering them. It's typical to feel anxious about facing judgment or errors while speaking in public. Nonetheless, it's crucial to understand that these fears are frequently magnified in your thoughts. By pinpointing particular anxieties, you can methodically tackle them. For example, if you fear forgetting your speech, diligent practice and preparation can greatly mitigate that concern. The essential approach is to address these fears head-on rather than shying away from public speaking chances that could enhance your professional trajectory.

Some of the best training I've received for public speaking was to join a Toastmasters club. This is great and supportive environment for beginners that teaches you skills and gives you lots of opportunities to get practice on stage. Well worth the investment!

To enhance your public speaking abilities, it's essential to actively seek out opportunities to participate in discussions within small groups, whether it's in a professional or social setting. Begin by choosing straightforward topics such as delivering a status report or explaining an internal process to your colleagues. As you become more self-assured, gradually increase the size of your audience and dedicate extra time to prepare thoroughly for larger speaking engagements.