Last updated on Jul 17, 2024

Here's how you can handle conflicts with your boss about your public speaking growth.

Conflicts with your boss over your progress in public speaking can be challenging. Public speaking is a valuable skill that often requires support and understanding from your workplace, especially from your boss. It's important to approach such conflicts with a strategy that is both respectful and assertive, ensuring that your personal development goals align with the company's objectives. This article will guide you through handling these delicate situations, helping you to maintain a positive working relationship while advocating for your growth as a public speaker.

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1 Assess Needs

Before approaching your boss about the conflict, take time to assess your own public speaking needs and goals. Understand what aspects of public speaking you want to improve and why they are important for your role. Are you aiming to be more persuasive, clear, or confident? Consider how enhancing these skills will benefit not only your personal development but also contribute to the success of your team and company. Having a clear picture of your needs will help you articulate them effectively and demonstrate the value of your growth to your boss.

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Otumbo Vincent

Empowering Effective Leaders | Supporting High Performing Teams | Entrepreneur | Transformative Speaker | Author of EMBARK | 50 Most Influential Men in Kenya 2023-2024.
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In assessing needs, it's important to lay a foundation through a feedback loop. Depending on your role, your boss likely attends meetings where you are either chairing or pitching. It would work wonders if you seek feedback from them and your colleagues. Armed with this feedback, you can have a strategic conversation with your boss on how you can improve through a program that enhances your public speaking skills.

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2 Prepare Points

When you're ready to discuss the conflict with your boss, prepare your points in advance. Outline the specific areas of public speaking you wish to develop and why you feel there is a conflict. Perhaps there's a lack of opportunities at work to practice, or maybe you feel that the feedback you're receiving isn't constructive. Preparing your points will help you stay focused during the conversation and prevent it from becoming emotional or confrontational.

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Otumbo Vincent

Empowering Effective Leaders | Supporting High Performing Teams | Entrepreneur | Transformative Speaker | Author of EMBARK | 50 Most Influential Men in Kenya 2023-2024.
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Preparing your points enhances clarity, simplicity, and objective decision-making. Make your points simple, practical, and relatable. For example, instead of saying, "I want to improve my public speaking skills," say, "Feedback suggests my presentations could be more engaging. Attending this public speaking program will help me improve, leading to more persuasive pitches and clearer communication in meetings. This will benefit our team by improving our presentations to clients." Do you have data to back this up?

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3 Schedule Talk

Timing can be everything. Schedule a meeting with your boss at a time when both of you can have an undisturbed conversation. Avoid busy periods where stress levels might be high, as this could affect the outcome of the discussion. When you request the meeting, mention that you'd like to talk about your professional development, specifically your public speaking skills, so your boss is prepared for the topic.

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4 Stay Positive

During the meeting, maintain a positive and professional demeanor. Focus on the benefits that improving your public speaking skills can bring to the team and the organization. Avoid criticizing or blaming your boss for the conflict; instead, use "I" statements to express how you feel and what you need. This approach will help keep the conversation constructive and focused on finding a solution.

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5 Listen Actively

Active listening is crucial in resolving conflicts. Pay close attention to what your boss has to say about your public speaking development. They may have insights or reasons for their stance that you hadn't considered. By listening actively, you show respect for their perspective and open the door to a collaborative resolution. Remember, it's possible that they have valid points that could help you grow even more effectively.

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Otumbo Vincent

Empowering Effective Leaders | Supporting High Performing Teams | Entrepreneur | Transformative Speaker | Author of EMBARK | 50 Most Influential Men in Kenya 2023-2024.
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Great speakers speak to be understood, and to achieve this, they understand the value of listening. They listen to understand, digest, and then respond. Many speak to finish and listen to react. Choose the kind of leader you want to become.

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6 Follow Up

After your discussion, follow up with an email summarizing the key points and any agreed-upon actions. This will ensure that both you and your boss are clear on how to move forward with your public speaking development. It also demonstrates your commitment to improving your skills and shows that you value the input and support of your boss in this journey.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Here's how you can handle conflicts with your boss about your public speaking growth.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Needs

2 Prepare Points

3 Schedule Talk

4 Stay Positive

5 Listen Actively

6 Follow Up

7 Here’s what else to consider

Public Speaking

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Here's how you can handle conflicts with your boss about your public speaking growth.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Needs

2 Prepare Points

3 Schedule Talk

4 Stay Positive

5 Listen Actively

6 Follow Up

7 Here’s what else to consider

Public Speaking

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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