How to become a confident public speaker

Oct 28, 2015

Richard Feloni

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Statistics suggest it’s likely you know the feeling of being in front of an audience with your heart racing, your mouth dry, and your palms drenched in sweat.

If this has happened to you repeatedly, then you may have dismissed the idea of ever becoming a talented public speaker, writing it off to a lack of natural talent or extroversion.

But that’s nonsense, say members of Toastmasters International. Toastmasters is a global network of 15,400 clubs across 135 countries that has been dedicated to developing people of all backgrounds and skill levels into accomplished public speakers for the past 90 years.

Toastmasters says there are five common public speaking myths they frequently run into that keep people from becoming the clear and confident speakers they can be. We’ve explained them below.

1. Only naturals can be great speakers.

Mohammed Qahtani gives his speech, “The Power of Words.”

There are certainly some people whose personalities allow them to get in front of a crowd with little fear and project their voice.

But, of course, being a great public speaker requires much more than a strong will and loud voice. Like any other skill, the only way to look like a true “natural” on stage is through disciplined practice.

And don’t feel that anything you may consider a negative trait — a speech impediment, heavy accent, social anxiety — needs to hold you back. For example, this year’s Toastmasters International World Champion of Public Speaking, Mohammed Qahtani, has dealt with a stutter for his entire life, and learned to keep it from emerging in his speeches.

And even if it did pop up, he wouldn’t be worried. He told Business Insider that he knew some of his competitors had a stronger voice or more impressive stage presence than he did, but his gift was comedic timing. Everyone has their strengths, and they can compensate for your weaknesses.

2. Experienced speakers no longer become nervous before a speech.

Kelly McGonigal gives her TED Talk “How to Make Stress Your Friend.”

As Stanford psychologist Kelly McGonigal explained in a viral 2013 TED Talk, the rush of adrenaline you feel before a performance is a natural reaction that should not be anxiety-inducing, but rather empowering.

As you develop as a speaker, your pre-speech jitters will diminish, but that flare of your nerves will never go away if you’re about to give a presentation you genuinely care about.

Former New York Toastmasters president Joshua Rinaldi told Business Insider that anyone from a novice to professional can benefit from avoiding caffeine an hour before their presentation and 30 seconds of controlled, deep breaths before stepping in front of your audience, in order to best manage your nervous energy.

3. Introverts can’t excel on stage.

Susan Cain gives her TED Talk “The Power of Introverts.”

Susan Cain, author of the bestseller “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking,” explains in her book that introverts are not necessarily shy, but gain energy from low-key environments.

Continuing on the earlier point about playing to strengths, introverts don’t need to mimic a high-energy extrovert like Tony Robbinswhen they speak to an audience, but can go at their own pace in a thoughtful way.

Cain, a self-described introvert, said she joined Toastmasters to become a better public speaker because it provided her with a forum to practice that felt safe and supportive.

4. The best speeches are memorized.

Tony Robbins has given seminars to audiences of 5,000 to 10,000 people for the past three decades.

Many beginners think that giving a speech is similar to giving a monologue in a play, memorizing carefully constructed lines word for word. In a presentation, however, you need to work off of your audience to best impart value to them.

Performance coach Tony Robbins has given thousands of presentations to packed audiences over the past 30 years, and said that the only way a presentation works is if it’s in some way tailored to the people in front of him.

“So if you’re just giving some frickin’ talk you’ve memorized over and over again, you’re going to have a flat affect,” he said. “If you’ve just got a bunch of visuals on the screen that are leading your talk, hang up your shoes and get the hell out of there.”

“You need to be in the moment and flexible to make it real and raw,” Robbins said. “You’ll enjoy it, they’ll enjoy it, and you’ll be memorable.”

5. There’s a rigid code of conduct for speeches.

Dananjaya Hettiarachchi gives his speech “I See Something.”

Giving a serious speech doesn’t require you to stand rigidly behind a lectern. And if you’re going to go without a podium, you shouldn’t be conscious of yourself when it’s time to give the presentation. You should instead be genuine, which in turn makes you engaging.

It comes with practice. “It took me 10 years to learn to be myself on stage,” 2014 Toastmasters champion Dananjaya Hettiarachchi said with a laugh.

By feeling comfortable with your movements and expressions, you can maintain a conversational tone with your audience, which is paramount.

This article is published in collaboration with Business Insider. Publication does not imply endorsement of views by the World Economic Forum.

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Author: Richard Feloni covers management strategy and entrepreneurship for Business Insider.

Image: An empty meeting room is shown. REUTERS.

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