Public speaking isn’t a popular hobby among the general public. In fact, glossophobia—the fear of public speaking—is estimated to influence 73% of the population.
While it can be nerve-wracking to get up and present to your peers, public speaking skills are incredibly valuable! The experience you gain from public speaking can be put to use in unexpected aspects of your daily life. Here are six reasons public speaking skills matter:
Having increased self-confidence helps you perform better under stress, allows you to be more assertive about your needs and opinions, and will ultimately help you value yourself and your strengths more. High self-esteem will help you maintain an executive presence while you’re giving a presentation, leading a team, and taking an active role in any of your regular activities.
You are constantly communicating with the people around you, whether it’s intentional or not. Learning how to improve your verbal and non-verbal communication boosts the way others see you, and it plays into how you see yourself. You’ll be sure of yourself when interacting with others knowing that you aren’t sending mixed signals or giving off unintentional messages.
The more you exercise your public speaking skills, the less you will talk with your hands, play with your hair, and fidget with objects while you’re speaking in everyday situations. You’ll use less filler words like “um,” “like,” and “so” and be more concise in what you say. You will be more confident ordering food at a restaurant, explaining your symptoms to a doctor, and answering questions during job interviews.
Public speaking helps exercise your problem-solving and critical thinking skills by encouraging you to think from other perspectives and helping you think on your feet. Having the resources and mental capacity to come up with solutions to complex problems in a timely manner is priceless!
You’ll be more likely to consider all sides of the issues you come across and be articulate enough to discuss your ideas with other people, such as team members, relatives, and friends. Thinking critically helps you become passionate about new things and well-versed in what you already know.
Being socially confident is difficult for many but is a skill worth developing. When you practice your public speaking you make progress toward social confidence without knowing it. Overwhelming, stressed out feelings while talking about yourself, telling stories, or giving instructions in a group setting will become less and less of a factor.
When you are confident in what you know, you thrive in an unlimited number of situations. Public speaking reinforces your self-assurance and lets you settle into the feeling of being the occasional center of attention.
Improving your public speaking skills helps you develop leadership skills and other professional qualities. Your professional efforts will be supported by your ability to speak with authority, clearly and effectively communicate your ideas, and discuss challenging topics in a professional tone.
In most industries, public speaking skills are a must-have. Interacting with clients, working with a team, participating in meetings, and giving presentations will put your public speaking skills to the test.
When delivering professional presentations, a well-designed slide deck will support you as you develop your public speaking skills. Hiring a PowerPoint presentation designer can help you bring both simple and complex concepts to life by providing your audience with cohesive, professional visuals.
You can use the skills you develop from public speaking in any real-life situation! Do you volunteer in your spare time? These skills will bolster you as you take initiative and do the most for your organization. Are you interviewing for your dream job? You’ll speak confidently and fluidly about why you’re qualified and passionate about the position. Is there a conflict in your personal life you’re trying to resolve? Public speaking abilities will allow you to have calm, productive conversations to fix it.
In addition to these benefits, you will develop your vocabulary, become a better listener, inspire others to speak confidently, and more. Mastering or enhancing your public speaking will aid you in your journey to becoming a well-rounded individual.
If you’re looking for ways to improve your presenting experience, contact Kristian Olson Art & Design for more information. I have years of experience producing presentations that will drive your message and captivate your audience. Just send your slides. I’ll do the rest!
Ask questions. Get a quote. You know what to do.
