You’re starting a new job. How can you make sure your public speaking skills are up to par?
Public speaking is a valuable skill that can help you succeed in your new role, whether you need to pitch an idea, lead a meeting, or network with others. However, it can also be daunting, especially if you’re not used to speaking in front of unfamiliar audiences. Here are some tips to help you improve your public speaking skills and make a positive impression at your new job.
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Naga ChokkanathanPrincipal Technical Program Manager, Author, Keynote Speaker. Views Personal.
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Rhea PatranabisSenior Consultant at EY India - Technology Risk | Ex - PwC India | Third Party Risk Management | ISO 27001 LA, ISO…
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Yash ChawlaLinkedIn Top Voice 2x | Business Relationship Manager @ Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy | Ex-Merkle | MBA/MMS…
Before you dive into any public speaking opportunities, take some time to evaluate your current level of skill and confidence. You can do this by recording yourself giving a short presentation, asking for feedback from a trusted friend or colleague, or taking an online assessment. Identify the areas that you excel at, such as your voice, body language, or content, and the areas that you need to work on, such as your structure, delivery, or audience engagement. This will help you set realistic goals and focus on improving the most important aspects of your public speaking.
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To assess your strengths and weaknesses you need to self-reflect. Try to understand what kind of a presenter you are: Are you a natural storyteller? Do you excel at organizing information? Are there areas you'd like to improve, like handling pressure or using visuals effectively? Try to seek external feedback by asking trusted friends, colleagues, or family members to observe your practice sessions and offer constructive feedback. Their insights can highlight areas for improvement you might not have noticed yourself.
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Few effective ways to be good at public speaking is start taking baby steps 1.Gain confidence in speaking on a matter with smaller groups(5-10 people) ,the audience at first can be your known acquaintances . 2.Take feedback: Ask them what they liked the most, what they were expecting to hear when you said about a certain information or stated an observation about how did they felt about it. 3. Practice: Repeat the above steps,self-introspect, what you can improve, and how to be comfortable to a wider variety and a larger audience. 4. Voice Modulation: remember that when you want the audience to focus or shift their attention to a important statement/finding/interesting fact ,try to modulate your voice .
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Well before getting into a new job, you have to find out what pushes you toward that specific role or what prevents you from achieving that top spot. Things could pan out better for you if you go back to the drawing board and figure things out.
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Knowing your material is essential in public speaking so practicing in front of a friend or colleague is important. Practice until you’ve boiled down your points to sound bites. Next, recognize that being comfortable in your own body is another key component of public speaking. You know how to build the best first impression. For me, I focus on wearing clothing with flair. My concise, confident remarks will be memorable.
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SWOT analysis is very important to assess if you stand out in a crowd of say 10 people. 1. You can try speaking on random topics in front of friends & family and ask them for genuine feedback. 2. You can self analyse yourself in front of the mirror by Checking your body language and expressions. 3. Use online softwares that correct your grammatical mistakes. Flawless public speaking requires all these.
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Without a doubt, self-evaluation is essential to improving public speaking. Recognizing one's talents and shortcomings enables focused improvement and increases self-assurance in general. Making a video of yourself and asking for constructive criticism are important stages in improving your abilities.
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Practice, practice... and reflection! Rather than aiming for perfection, consider your key points and how your communication style can best connect with your target audience. Whether you plan to speak to bullet points or read from a prepared script, it's important to practice your speech out loud, focusing on your key points, but also running through from start to end. If you tend to speak quickly - remember to pause, take a breath, or count briefly in your head at the end of sentences.
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There is a saying. "Confidence comes from knowledge" Public speaking requires preparation of the subject matter, align it with your own experience and conclude with the message you want to convey. The rest flows naturally. Back your mind: people get in front of you to capture insightful informations, not to judge you.
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Self evaluation is key. Knowing your strength and weaknesses and knowing how to deal with each will help to deal with every situation
One of the best ways to boost your public speaking skills is to practice as much as possible. This will help you overcome your nerves, refine your message, and polish your delivery. You can practice by rehearsing in front of a mirror, a camera, or a small group of supportive people. You can also prepare by researching your topic, audience, and context, and creating an outline or a script for your presentation. Make sure you have a clear purpose, a catchy introduction, a logical flow, and a strong conclusion. Use visual aids, stories, and examples to support your points and make your presentation more engaging.
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Public Speaking needn't be seen as a binary score. There is a big gap between 0 (no public speaking skills) and 1 (amazing public speaking skills) and the journey between these extremes can be exciting, if you plan it well. Hence, try to spot a low hanging fruit opportunity : a place where you are comfortable, a topic where you feel very passionate and confident, an audience who love you already and will be open to listening from you, a short 2 minutes speech... finding this starting point can be a big step in your journey because it will get you good feedback and extra confidence. Gandhi used to have heavy stage fear in his young days. Later, an entire nation listened to him and followed him. The fun is in that journey!
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This is a general perspective: 1. The speaker must have a pleasant demeanour. Must be calm and take pauses between their speech 2. The speaker must have good voice modulation to keep the audience engaged in the session. A one-tone voice cannot engage and inspire them. 3. The speaker must be articulate. This is probably the most important. I've seen speakers ramble and beat around the bush. 4. The speaker must be respectful to the audience's feelings, ethnicities and their identities. 5. Last but not the least, the speaker must be confident. And it's okay if there are a few stutters. Just be confident and give it your best. ~ Rhea
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Practice your delivery, timing, and even body language. The more comfortable you are with the material, the more confident you'll be when actually presenting. Be Proactive and anticipate questions. Think about potential questions your audience might have and prepare strong, concise answers. Utilize presentation tools like slides, videos, or interactive elements to engage your audience and keep your visuals strong.
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The secret to mastering public speaking is practice. Frequent rehearsals boost self-assurance, facilitating more fluid communication and improved message articulation. Using a variety of practice techniques such as small group rehearsals and solo mirror sessions will help you improve your presentation style and gain insightful knowledge. Having a well-planned and methodical strategy, along with an engaging opening and powerful images, adds even more value to your public speaking.
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Practice in front of the mirror, or you can conduct a dry run of the questions you could be asked and how would you answer them. Play the game in mind first and then practically execute it. It was something that I used to do, and still do because it is something that has always brought out better results for me!
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Over the years, public speaking has played a major role in education, government and business. Words have the power to inform, persuade, educate and even entertain. Whilst you practice and prepare, bear in mind that there are three key elements to a persuasive presentation: a clear structure, strong body language and physical presence, and the creation of powerful visual images in the minds of audience. Constant practice like telling stories, speaking in front of your mirror, increases your confidence level and plays a great role in reducing heavy accents which can be a barrier to career development, which can lead to unnecessary miscommunication as well as negatively affect one’s personal and professional impact.
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To enhance your public speaking skills for a new job, consider joining local Toastmasters groups, practicing with friends or family, and seeking constructive feedback. Additionally, watching TED Talks or public speaking tutorials online can provide valuable insights. Regularly rehearse presentations and focus on refining body language, tone, and clarity to build confidence in your communication abilities.
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Practice makes perfect. This will boost your overall confidence. Also when you start work try shadowing and observing other colleagues as well.
Another way to improve your public speaking skills is to seek feedback and improvement from others. You can do this by asking for constructive criticism from your peers, mentors, or managers after each presentation. You can also join a public speaking club, such as Toastmasters, or take an online course or workshop to learn from experts and peers. Be open to learning from your mistakes and successes, and apply the feedback and tips you receive to your next presentation. You can also watch and analyze other speakers, such as TED talkers, and emulate their techniques and styles.
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I think having a coach that knows you and can give feedback in a healthy and confidential space helps us to grow as public speakers. Especially if you work with the same person over time.
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To grow, you must always be open to feedback! But here's a catch, it depends on whom you're going to ask for the feedback. You should look for constructive criticism and then act accordingly on it. And never take a feedback "personally".
Public speaking is not a one-size-fits-all skill. You need to be able to adapt to different situations, audiences, and formats at your new job. For example, you may need to give a formal presentation to a large group of clients, a casual update to a small team of colleagues, or an elevator pitch to a potential partner. Each scenario requires a different approach, tone, and level of detail. You can adapt to different situations by doing some research beforehand, adjusting your content and delivery accordingly, and being flexible and responsive during your presentation.
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Tailor your presentation style and content to the specific audience you're addressing. Formal presentations require a different approach than informal team meetings. Be prepared to handle unexpected questions, technical glitches, or changes to the schedule. Stay flexible and maintain your composure.
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Public speaking is a versatile skill that requires adaptability. In a professional setting, the ability to tailor your communication style to diverse situations, audiences, and formats is crucial. Whether presenting to colleagues, clients, or superiors, understanding the nuances of each context enhances your effectiveness as a communicator. Embracing this adaptability fosters better engagement and ensures your message resonates across various professional scenarios.
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Adapting to different situations also brings out growth for an individual. Being put in unprecedented situations could yield better results for a person. There could be times where your projections might go wrong, or the person whom you encounter is of a different mindset. All these things happen when you change a workplace. So, think,plan and act accordingly.
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Yes, when it comes to public speaking, adaptability is essential. Researching your audience, modifying your message and delivery to fit the scenario, and maintaining flexibility during presentations are all part of adapting to a variety of circumstances. Whether you're giving an elevator pitch, updating coworkers informally, or formally speaking with clients, knowing the subtleties of each situation improves your capacity to effectively communicate with various audiences.
Finally, the most important tip to improve your public speaking skills is to be yourself and have fun. Don’t try to copy someone else’s style or personality, or pretend to be someone you’re not. Instead, show your authentic self, your passion, and your enthusiasm for your topic and your audience. This will help you connect with your listeners, build rapport, and convey credibility. Also, don’t take yourself too seriously, or stress too much about perfection. Enjoy the process, the challenge, and the opportunity to share your ideas and insights with others.
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Look here's the key. Thousands of videos across various platforms teach you about your hand gestures, voice, and movements. It is important but don't be a robot. If you have nice content, people will queue up to listen to you. People come to listen to Elon Musk. Just imagine if Elon would keep on focusing on the way of presenting. Imagine if Steve Jobs spent even a few minutes deciding what to wear while launching the new iPhone. You are not Steve or Elon but you are you. Lastly, these presentation gimmicks are just accessories meant to enhance your content and you as a person. So, just be yourself and have fun.
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There is always a generic way to use your spiel. But what uniqueness you bring to the table also matters a lot. It helps you build an identity. Let your voice and enthusiasm shine through. You can share anecdotes, case studies, or personal experiences to connect with your audience on an emotional level and make your presentation memorable.
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In public speaking, authenticity is essential. Making true connections with your audience is facilitated by being authentic, expressing your passion, and having fun during the process. Accepting your own style and letting go of perfection makes your presentation more casual and interesting, which builds credibility. Both you and your audience can benefit from public speaking if you relish the chance to exchange ideas.
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In my college, while delivering public speeches, we're being taught to take a hiatus of thirty seconds, get into our original selfs and start the speech with our own "personal" touch. And it's something which is not to be copied, it could be anything! You smile while giving your speech. That's a "personal" touch. You are grim during your speech. That's a "personal" touch. So it differs from person-to-person, and may bring out results accordingly.
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No-one ever said i don't like this person becuase he is witty, humorous and tickles everyone. We like to listen, hire, and promote people who has a sense of humour which is not borrowed by someone. I must tell you that having a "sense" of humour is crucial in a organization and (need less to say) in a presentation! No matter how formal it is.. Just be real and have fun!
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Just be yourself and trust yourself, you can ace at any platform by your confidence and skills. People are here to listen you as an audience, make them listen the actual YOU!
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Tips from some seniors/veterans that I instil: Remember, everyone gets nervous: It's perfectly normal! Deep breathing exercises, positive self-talk, and visualization can help manage your nerves and keep you focused. Mind your body language: Maintain good posture, make eye contact, and avoid fidgeting. Your nonverbal cues speak volumes about your confidence and engagement. Dress to impress: Your attire communicates professionalism and confidence. Choose clothing that feels comfortable yet makes a positive impression.
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Be prepared and do your research about company products and services. This keeps you knowledgeable and well informed before sharing ideas or info to your customers, clients and even colleagues. It also gets you to know about the new changes taking pls evat the organization. Also be well equipped with policies and guidelines to follow.
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Have a partner to practice that would be able to give you an objective and open review. Being good at public speaking, comes with practice. Keep practicing, take a mirror and practice, take your phone and record yourself and give a feedback to yourself.
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