Have you ever seen a great leader who lacked proper public speaking abilities? Most likely, but highly unlikely.

Good leadership should always be linked with phenomenal speaking abilities. Your abilities as a leader can only be sharpened if you have exceptional public speaking abilities. Sometimes you see a person with an important position in life, but unable to give a simple speech. WHY? Because he or she lacks the basics of speaking in public. Which may raise a lot of doubts among the public about their ability to be a good leaders.

Many people believe that we should be as good as Jordan B. Peterson when it comes to speaking. Wearing a suit and tie, stand in the center of a stage and address a large crowd. On the other hand, you can practice public speaking with as few as two or three people. The way you construct your sentences and persuade others of your ideas and suggestions qualifies you as a good public speaker. Not the number of people addressed.

So, why is public speaking so important in both our personal and professional lives?

1. TO CAPTURE YOUR CROWD’S ATTENTION

Persuasion can take you far in and out of the workplace. It all starts with shaping your public speaking skills. Mastering public speaking leads to increased confidence and, as a result, a calm and collected personality in front of an audience. 

Being knowledgeable of the subject matters. So when giving a persuasive speech of any kind, you must be prepared to answer the opposition and speak with a presence. 

The ability to speak publicly is not only important but also necessary for progress. And, to express why a particular product or idea would be an interesting topic to an editor of a publication. A great pitch will always attract the consumer or editor to learn more. Public speaking allows you to make your case compellingly and convincingly when addressing any audience with an idea or argument for or against something.

2. TO ENGAGE WITH PEOPLE

A great public speaker develops the ability to persuade his or her audience to do something, stop doing something, change their behavior, or achieve goals. However, to move an idea forward, you must be able to excite and energize your peers, employees, co-workers, and customers.

Tony Robbins is one of the greatest public speakers who can ultimately get the attention of the audience from the first few words. People do get motivated by his phenomenal choice of words, his style of speaking, and his sense of humor. 

Public speakers are leaders who can motivate their audience to work harder to achieve their objectives. Your role as a public speaker is to influence your audience and create an environment in which everyone walks out ready to go.

You are not simply giving a speech to persuade your audience to do something. Speakers are part of the action and can convey their passion.

It is not enough to simply understand the issues of people. You must also inspire them to share your enthusiasm. Winning in an election for example is simply because of how powerful and convincing your speech was. People will positively react to good and well-prepared speeches.

3. TO INFORM

One of the most important aspects of public speaking is the ability to inform. From presenting research papers and PowerPoint presentations in school to pitching ideas and pitches to your boss or client, informative public speaking is a necessary component of a successful career in any field.

Once you’ve attracted their interest, a good informative speech, sharing your knowledge of a subject with an audience, improves their understanding and makes them remember your words long after you’ve finished.
For example, you may be asked to train a group of co-workers on how to use new computer software or to inform your employees about company events. This type of public speaking is essential for giving presentations or sharing an area of expertise.

4. TO IMPROVE YOUR ORAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Participating in public speaking can improve your oral communication skills because you are practicing and presenting information to an audience. Colleagues, managers, and the audience can provide feedback on how to improve your oral communication skills for your next public speaking event. 
The more speeches you give, the better your public speaking skills will become. You might also notice that your improved oral skills transfer to your everyday interactions with others.

5. YOUR CONFIDENCE BOOSTS 

Repeated public speaking boosts self-confidence significantly. Every time you speak, you gain confidence as you see how well your ideas are received by your audience.

This sensation can only be obtained by attempting to speak in public. Not necessarily on stage, but rather among friends or family members. Your ability to speak differently and use appropriate phrases and words to persuade others of an idea gives you the confidence to do it again.

6. GIVES YOU PERSONAL SATISFACTION

Speaking in front of a crowd is a huge accomplishment. The first time can be terrifying, and you might have a feeling of quitting, but finishing the speech is a huge accomplishment. After the first time, you will improve your public speaking skills and gain a lot of personal satisfaction from it.

Giving a successful speech to an audience feels like you’ve been doing it for ages. The motivation you instantly get is insanely satisfying and rewarding. 

HOW CAN I BE A GOOD PUBLIC SPEAKER?

It is unlikely you will become a good speaker from the first few attempts, but with rehearsals and continued work, you will achieve your goal of being a speaker.

Here are some of the tips you will require to be an excellent public speaker.

KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE

Knowing your audience is essential for all successful public speeches. This does not imply that you have to meet everyone in the room. It means understanding who the audience is, what they want, and what they need to know at a high level. These details will allow you to pitch your speech appropriately, focus on relevant content, and go into the appropriate level of detail.

Is the audience, for example, made up of your colleagues looking for an informal update on your work? Are they more senior colleagues who will require a summary of the key information as well as an outline of the planned next steps? Are they a group of investors who need to be persuaded to put up more money? Is it a sports team looking for a morale boost and pre-game motivation? The more you know about your audience, the better prepared you will be.

A GOOD PUBLIC SPEAKER ALWAYS PLANS WHAT TO SAY

Even the most polished and experienced public speakers prepare their remarks in advance. Not only for major speeches but also for smaller, more informal updates. 

Planning ahead of time what you’re going to say allows you to clarify exactly what you want to cover. For some, this will involve locating the exact words and phrases you want to use, as well as where you want to pause or change the slide. For others, simply identifying the two to three key points to include is sufficient.

The majority of public speakers approve that pre-writing your speech results in better performing it. Even if you choose to shift from your planned text during your presentation, you can be confident that you have a plan to fall back on if necessary.

Others prefer to have a clear picture of the overall structure while not focusing too much on the specific words in advance. The method you choose is mainly a matter of personal preference, so it’s a good idea to experiment with a few to see which feels the most comfortable.

PRACTICE

Practice always makes perfect. I remember listening to the head of TED TALKS talk about the importance of rehearsing. 

Practice by saying the words clearly in front of a mirror, or even your housemates will help you identify any problem areas. Moments when you can’t find the right words, stumble around the point or speak too quickly.

If possible, record yourself ahead of time. This is an excellent way to determine where you do well and where you need to improve. It can be embarrassing, but it will help you identify tendencies or habits that you develop in your speech when you are nervous.

Typical characteristics include saying like kind of too often, inserting ‘um’ between each word, and playing with your hands.