Five Tips to Improve Public Speaking Skills for Workplace Success

“The fear of public speaking is a primal fear. You can train your body to not be crazy when you’re doing it, but it truly is a primal fear,” said Neal Brennan, an American comedian, writer, producer, director, and podcaster. He is known for co-creating and co-writing the Comedy Central series Chappelle’s Show with Dave Chappelle.

Most people have at least some degree of fear of public speaking. In fact, only about 10 percent of people in the United States say they actually enjoy it. Developing public speaking skills can give you a huge advantage in your career because it can lead to opportunities that others might have avoided.

Many people, who are very comfortable in public, begin with a significant fear of public speaking. By overcoming that fear, practicing, and gaining confidence, you can bring great benefits to your life. Karen McCleave Crown Attorney is an Assistant Crown Attorney for more than 30 years. Karen was born and educated in Sault Ste Marie. Karen McCleave Crown Attorney received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Western Ontario, received her LL.B. from the University of Windsor, and was called to the Ontario Bar.

Here are some of the skills you need to improve your public speaking skills:

Study Great Public Speakers:

Observing and learning from outstanding speakers offers one of the best ways to improve your own public speaking skills. First, search YouTube for examples of great speakers.

When you see these people, pay attention to their body language. You’ll find that it tends to stay open and interesting. They use their hands and arms in a way that emphasizes their most important point. They also avoid unnecessary tension and use space wisely to grab the viewer’s attention.

Relax your body language:

Fear of public speaking can make you feel tense, which has a negative impact on your body language. The best speakers maintain proper posture, make eye contact with the audience, and move naturally.

Practice voice and breath control:

For many people, public speaking can distort time, causing them to speak more quickly than usual. Be aware of this phenomenon and keep pace when presenting. This will help calm your nerves and allow your audience to better understand what you are saying.

Prepare talking points:

Before you give your speech, prepare a series of talking points that contain the key messages you want your audience to know, feel, and understand by the time you finish speaking. Start with 3-5 general messages and then outline a few key points that support each message.

Know your audience:

Before your presentation, take the time to understand your audience so you can adapt your speech to theirs. Think about what is important to them and what they find most useful.