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Public Speaking Myths to
Clear Up Right Now
Myth
#8- I Could Never Be a Great Public Speaker
There are three things that stop
someone from being a great public speaker: lack of
skill, lack of confidence and lack of experience. Each
one of these roadblocks is surmountable.
The skills to be a great speaker
can be taught to anyone who’s willing to learn. It’s
not always easy, but it can be done. Once a little skill
is developed and the person begins to see and feel
results, confidence begins to increase and they become
more mindful of opportunities to speak up. This gives
them added experience, which, in turn, gives them more
opportunity to develop their skill. Soon, they begin
trying out new techniques, expanding their comfort zone
and becoming more relaxed and open in front of an
audience.
The best speakers are not the
ones who deliver the most polished performance. The best
speakers are those who can move their audiences
emotionally, and that’s done by connecting with their
audience at an emotional level. The more you show your
audience the real you, the more impactful you will be as
a speaker. Since anyone can learn to just be him or
herself, anyone can learn to be a great speaker.
I have seen unpolished speakers
with poor vocabulary and a less than attractive
appearance completely captivate and move an audience
more than some of the most professional and polished
speakers with all the charisma in the known universe.
Yes, polish can be good, charisma
is an asset and a pleasant appearance sure helps, but
none of that’s a pre-requisite for being a great
speaker. The keys are openness, sincerity and passion
for your topic. That passion, if great enough, will
supersede any shortcomings you may think you have. A
speaker who can make an audience feel the way he or she
feels about the topic at hand is a sensational speaker.
Even if you weren’t born with the “gift of gab,” you can
become a great speaker. All you have to do is gain a
little skill, increase your confidence and add
experience through practice.
So, what’s the lesson? Show your
passion and be yourself, you can be a great speaker. |