You're aiming for a leadership position. How can mastering public speaking propel your career forward?

Effective public speaking demonstrates your knowledge and expertise. Regular practice helps you overcome stage fright and project confidence. Learning to structure your thoughts and deliver them clearly is essential. The ability to tailor your message to different audiences is a valuable skill. Effective public speaking can inspire others to take action or support your initiatives. The more you speak, the more comfortable you'll become. Ask trusted colleagues or mentors for constructive criticism.

I know capable senior leaders with solid business results under their belt who are poor public speakers. This impacts the way they’re perceived. If their actual leadership capability is 75 out of 100 (on a ‘leadership capability’ score I invented just like that to make the point), they are perceived to be at 60. That’s DIMINISHING their presence. By speaking well they should be perceived minimum at their due, 75, but ideally higher, say 80 or 95. That’s AMPLIFYING.

Mastering public speaking can do wonders to propel your career forward. Public speaking isn’t just about speaking up confidently, it is just as much about having clarity of purpose, thought and direction and being able to articulate it. When you can display a clear and unwavering grasp over a deep understanding of your role, your goals, and how you can achieve them, it makes you magnetic and can help you command conversations and respect. If you then combine it with great listening skills, you give your team and others around you the belief and comfort that they have someone to look up to who will speak up for them if need be. It positions you as a clear leader.

Mastering public speaking can help you become a leader by making you more noticeable and respected. When you speak clearly and confidently, people listen to you and trust what you say. It shows that you’re not afraid to share ideas and can guide others. Good public speaking skills help you explain and articulate your thoughts in a way that everyone understands, which is important for leading a team. The more you practice and come across effectively, the more people will see you as someone who can take charge, solve problems, and inspire others, helping your career grow!

Being credible and knowing your stuff is key—when you speak with authority and confidence, people are far more likely to trust you. That’s where communication tips can help refine your delivery. But none of those tips will matter if you don’t have the ethos behind your words. Without that credibility and expertise, even the best techniques fall flat.

Albert Mehrabian's research on body language states that 55% of communication is nonverbal, 38% is vocal, and 7% is words only. In a crisis situation, it’s not just *what* you say as a leader, but *how* you say it. Staff, customers, regulators and the public at large will be watching for both verbal and nonverbal cues. Effective public speaking skills can make the difference between a measured response and mass hysteria!

Some leaders are extroverted. Others are introverts. Regardless, communication – often in large forums - is part of the job description. Thus, public speaking is an essential component in the leader’s toolkit!

The more we speak, the better we'll become. Seek out opportunities to present, even if it's just to a small group. Practice, practice, and more practice