The Power of Authenticity in Public Speaking

Public speaking is my passion, and I want everyone to live their potential in this area. And in this inaugural issue, let’s talk about something that underpins every great speaker: authenticity.

As Douglas Pagels beautifully puts it, “You’re an original, an individual, a masterpiece.” Each of us has a unique voice, story, and way of expressing ourselves. In public speaking, this individuality is your greatest asset. Trying to emulate someone else ; their gestures, tone, or even style ; may seem appealing, but it often comes across as just that: an attempt. True connection happens when we lean into who we genuinely are.

Through my years in Toastmasters and countless speeches, I’ve learned this: the audience resonates most when they feel a speaker is being real. When you’re up there, you aren’t merely presenting information; you’re sharing a piece of yourself. And that unique perspective is what people remember.

As Pagels reminds us, “Every star is important to the sky.” Don’t be afraid to embrace your uniqueness, your quirks, and even the occasional mistake. These human elements are what make your story worth listening to.

Practical Steps to Finding Your Unique Voice

1. Reflect on Personal Stories Think about moments that have deeply impacted you—personal victories, challenges, or funny mishaps. These stories make you memorable and help you connect on a deeper level.

2. Identify Core Values Consider what you stand for, the principles you live by, and the beliefs you’re most passionate about. Speaking from these convictions makes your delivery more genuine and compelling.

3. Embrace Natural Mannerisms Your unique gestures, a certain way of emphasizing words, or rhythm in speech are memorable traits. Rather than suppressing these, lean into them.

4. Observe Feedback Patterns Notice what people say after your speeches. Do they mention your humor, storytelling ability, or energy? Recurring themes highlight your natural strengths.

5. Experiment and Evolve Attend different events, record yourself, and try new approaches. Experimenting with styles, tones, and formats helps you pinpoint what brings out the best version of your speaking self.

6. Stay Authentic Resist the urge to mimic others or follow trends. Your authenticity is your most powerful asset, allowing you to connect more naturally with your audience. It’s about refining, not altering, who you are.

7. Leverage Feedback Loops Constructive feedback from mentors or groups like Toastmasters reveals insights you might overlook, helping you develop a voice that’s adaptable to audience needs.

Finding your uniqueness is an ongoing journey. It’s less about perfecting a “persona” and more about deepening your self-understanding. With each speech, as you reveal a bit more of who you are, your authenticity grows, and so does your impact.

Here’s to celebrating what makes each of us a masterpiece and letting it shine every time we take the stage.

Stay tuned for more insights on finding and honing your authentic voice.

What’s one unique story or trait you’ve embraced in your own public speaking journey?