How can you develop self-confidence as a leader through public speaking?

People do not remember more than three things on average when listening to someone. So identifying your three critical messages max is a great start. But then, to make it really impactful, it is all about proper story telling. Grasp the audience. Build up to the clear message. Make it interesting and engaging. After your speech, people need to feel that they spent valuable time with you and they learned something. Something meaningful. A great speech let’s the listener remember the person who delivered the messages but even more so the messages themselves.

Grasping the core intent behind your words is pivotal. Before stepping onto the stage, it's essential to crystallize the essence of your message and the impact you aim to make. By pinpointing the value you're bringing to the table, you not only streamline your content but also resonate more deeply with your listeners. This clarity not only guides your delivery but also reinforces the bond with your audience, demonstrating genuine concern for their perspectives and aspirations.

Like most endeavors, start small and make a commitment to speaking when you have value to offer. Some people think that by talking the loudest or most often, they will get attention. That's not the kind of attention you want to cultivate as you build your reputation as a leader. Instead be well prepared. When you attend a meeting, know what the objectives are and how you can contribute. Building on success, one contribution, one conversation at a time, is the surest way to find your voice, which is indeed a prerequisite for leading!

Understanding your purpose is indeed crucial when it comes to effective communication. Whether it's speaking or writing, having a clear objective ensures that your message is concise, relevant, and impactful. It's like setting the destination before starting a journey - it guides your path and helps you connect with your audience on a deeper level by addressing their needs and emotions. So, always define your purpose before you communicate to achieve your desired outcomes.

Understanding your audience is key to success in any speech. Additionally, joining a group like Toastmasters can help build confidence and skill level in public speaking. Every meeting is focused intently on providing feedback, giving support with like minded individuals.

Before 2020, the opportunities for "making a speech" were far greater than they are today. The idea of being prepared to share your thoughts or to make valuable contributions is the shortcut to standing out today. You can do that in a meeting room or a Zoom room. Instead of rehearsing in front of a mirror, I recommend 2 other approaches to clarifying your thoughts and strengthening your delivery skills. 1. Dedicate time each day to freeform writing. 2. Spend time each week speaking aloud into a recorder, such as on your phone. At least once a week, review what you've written and what you've recorded. That feedback alone, combined with consistency, will help you improve greatly in a short period of time.

Prepare and practice One of the best ways to boost your confidence as a speaker is to prepare and practice your speech. Preparation means doing your research, gathering your facts, and creating an outline or a script. Practice means rehearsing your speech out loud, preferably in front of a mirror, a recorder, or a friend. This will help you improve your delivery, tone, and body language, as well as identify and correct any errors or weaknesses. It will also help you familiarize yourself with your material, reduce your anxiety, and increase your self-esteem.

One thing I have found helpful too is acting like your audience..what would you expect from your audience in reaction to your speech...?

Break down the areas across which you are seeking feedback - these may include content clarity, tone, gestures, vocal variety, timing etc. This will ensure you get specific pointers for improvement.

Embracing feedback is akin to refining gold; it's through the crucible of others' perspectives that we polish our skills. Mistakes, when viewed as learning opportunities, become stepping stones to excellence. By actively seeking and valuing input, we not only demonstrate humility but also a commitment to growth. It's essential to approach feedback with an open heart and a keen ear, transforming insights into actionable improvements. Whether it's from close associates or a broader digital audience, these insights are invaluable in honing one's craft.

The feedback I appreciate more than any other is from my engagement team. Even though supervisor and peer feedback drives promotion, what the people who report to me think about my leadership skills drive my personal leadership growth. I think this feedback can be critical to my confidence as a leader and in my area of expertise.

I am always seeking feedback specially if I am speaking in front of large number of audience or recording a video that will sent to a large population. I usually seek feedback on the tone, eyes movement and pace of speaking. It helped me as well, recording myself and watching the video, noting down remarks and repeat till I feel it is perfect.

I started recently to challenge my self by cutting down on preparation time and many occasions I do not prepare at all beside noting down the 3-4 messages very briefly. This strategy gave me much more freedoms and courage to speak in public.

Naturally, starting challenge myself for public speaking will be igniting the confidence once I felt fulfillment of the specific topic experience, then challenge myself to speak will become enjoyable because the following: The speech will be structured enough. The speech skills could be improved in terms of catching audience attention, body language….etc. Challenge mode will be depend on the hall situation and when I must make it interactive speaking.

One of the best resources to keep refining your craft is toastmasters club, find one near you and start practicing. Always remember the world is a stage and every time you are speaking in public it's an opportunity to establish yourself as public speaker.

Stepping outside one's comfort zone is the crucible where true growth occurs. By actively seeking diverse speaking opportunities, we not only confront and quell our apprehensions but also refine our oratory prowess. Volunteering at events or joining speaking clubs can be transformative, offering a platform to hone skills in real-time. Daring to delve into unfamiliar or contentious topics not only broadens our horizons but also tests our ability to think on our feet and remain genuine. It's in these challenges that we truly find our voice.

Recognizing one's milestones is pivotal in the journey of self-improvement. Every speech delivered, every applause received, is a testament to your dedication and progress. By taking a moment to acknowledge these triumphs, you not only uplift your spirits but also solidify your commitment to the craft. Sharing these victories with others amplifies the joy and provides a reservoir of encouragement for future endeavors. Such celebrations act as catalysts, driving enthusiasm and propelling you forward in both oration and leadership.

In the realm of public speaking, it's essential to remember that every audience is unique, and so is every speaker. Embracing one's individuality can be a powerful tool. While techniques and preparation are crucial, authenticity often resonates most. Moreover, it's beneficial to remember that even the most seasoned speakers face moments of doubt. Resilience is key. Each setback or hiccup is an opportunity in disguise, a lesson waiting to be learned. And lastly, always be a student; the world of communication is vast, and there's always something new to discover.

Couple of frameworks to consider that can help you be a better public speaker AIM framework A= Audience, always keep audience at the centre of the message, it's not about you, it's about them. It's important to understand who are you going to talk to and what are their needs. I =Indented outcomes, after hearing your message, what do you want them to do, how you want them to feel M = Message, once you know who your audience are and what you want to them to do and how they should feel after hearing your message, start drafting the message. Keep it simple, concise and to the point so that it lands well with audience.

Another important thing to remember is that it's normal to be nervous and the best way to manage the stage fright that occurs as a result is to accept it and learn to manage it. Often we think it should not be happening and try to fight it... which only makes it worse. The stress is energy and with practice our confidence grows and we can learn to train those butterflies in our stomach to 'fly in formation.'