The ancient Greeks were some of the earliest people to write about public speaking. They began studying rhetoric in the fifth century BC.
“Rhetoric is morally neutral. If people are mindful of ethics, rhetoric can be a powerful tool of both social good and individual benefit,” said Aristotle. If you think about it, public speaking has around from biblical times and perhaps even longer time. We all have to deal with public speaking at some point in our lives, some more than others. As you build your career, your personal and company brand you are likely to experience more opportunities for it.
Glossophobia or speech anxiety is the fear of public speaking. It is ranked in the top 5 fears that most people have and some research even indicates that it is the number one fear for a lot of people. The fear is natural as we are wired to avoid danger, which is what public speaking symbolises for most.
Ways to overcome fear
Remember, great speakers are not born, they are made; therefore, you have to practise. Look for opportunities to gain experience, no matter how small the occasion. Turn anxiety into enthusiasm/excitement, embrace it, don’t run from it. Put time into preparing, do proper research on the topic, know your content, practise breathing from the tummy, feed your mind with positive thoughts, visualise yourself executing the plan, and finally, arrive early to ensure that you have all that you need. Familiarise yourself with the space and meet and greet.
The Greek concept ethos speaks to the character of the speaker; pathos, the emotional appeal to the audience, and Logos, the logic, fact, or argument of the message. All three concepts must be considered when you are preparing your speech. You should strive to be a person of integrity as it’s the correct thing to do. people can detect sincerity, and the truth is usually revealed, especially in this age of technology. You have to think of your audience, how to connect with them and making it worth their time, rather than thinking of yourself. Do proper research and stick to the facts.
Here are some common errors people make in public speaking – from arriving late, lack of preparation, not familiar with the content and relying on visual aid, poor speech, mispronouncing words and names, inappropriately attired, excessive use of space fillers, poor voice projection, and posture, inappropriate jokes or information, going over the allotted time and failure to connect with the audience – to name a few.
Some facts
1 Great speakers are not born they are made.
2 The audience wants you to do well
3 The audience won’t know what your content is unless you give it to them.
4 The first 30 seconds are crucial as they set the tone and encourages people to listen or tune out.
5 Confidence is detected in good posture, an authoritative voice, eye contact, and general body language.
6 There are three types of public speaking; informative, persuasive, and ceremonial/entertaining.
7 It helps to develop critical thinking skills.
8 Being nervous and anxious is normal.
9 People are prone to mistakes.
10 Planning, Preparation, Research, and Practise are crucial to anyone becoming a dynamic speaker.
Laura Butler is a management training specialist – send feedback to [email protected].
