We Are All Public Speakers

Public speaking is often considered a more formal way of communicating, typically associated with larger and traditional stages. However, public speaking occurs whenever we're trying to put our best effort forward, and when the stakes are deemed high. In our daily lives, we do public speaking in meetings, pitching to investors, interviewing, presenting on webinars, as well as conversing on social media platforms.

The refreshing news is that we all have the innate ability to be more engaging as communicators. Effective public speaking is first a science then an art. We are artful in our presence when we are really listening then we can adapt to the situation.

We need to reawaken some of these natural skills. When someone is referred to as having a charismatic presence, it simply means they're in the here and now--they're listening and there in the room with us and not in their heads. There is nothing more charismatic than a speaker who's focused on their audience. 

Babies are born with the ability to naturally express themselves without judgement and to communicate their desired intention and emotion. Unfortunately, this ability to authentically communicate begins to lessen when parental and cultural habits begin to form early on in life.

As we develop and grow, we become less present and more inward-focused, resulting in a hyper-awareness of how we are perceived. Self-conscious behavior creates biased internal monologues, which leads to communication barriers with others. If we are focused on ourselves we are not present. In order to find our presence again as adults, we must allow ourselves to receive (listen without a judgment filter) and project vulnerable emotions, such as love and trust. 

Like storytelling, public speaking has been around since the first human species publicly addressed members of their tribes. Also, during the time of ancient Athens there were no lawyers, therefore public speaking skills were paramount for survival. (Aristotle's treatise Rhetoric is based on the science and art of persuasive communication.) If someone were accused of stealing, their life would depend on their public defense in front of the Greek senate. If the accused were unconvincing a death sentence would likely be imposed. This type of urgent and heightened speaking in ancient times required powerful technique. According to Aristotle they needed 3 key items in their argument: logos-logic; ethos-credibility; and pathos-passion. In order for these 3 things to be successful you must be present. Heightened speaking is when intentions and emotions are aligned, and it's the truest form of public speaking. 

Currently, we're living in a communication age that demands persuasive public speaking. Let's step up to the challenge of learning, relearning and changing habitual behaviors that no longer serve us or our audience. 

As an aside, Join me for a public online workshop that will cover the nuts and bolts of outstanding communication from persuading a small to a large audience - Click Here. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/win-the-room-speak-to-impact-any-room-tickets-14897232022