Public Speaking Skills — Vital for Workplace Success

Employers generally seek experience, knowledge, and personality when choosing the right candidate for a job. Effective public speaking is essential for leadership positions, as it allows individuals to express their ideas to a group of people clearly. A job applicant who demonstrates the ability to communicate clearly and confidently has a competitive advantage over fellow candidates who are less comfortable speaking in public.

Public speaking requires various qualities, including engaging with the audience and projecting one’s voice. Generally considered a “soft skill,” public speaking relies on interpersonal skills rather than specific technical knowledge.

Across all industries, most professional roles require some amount of speaking in public. Depending on the job setting, public speaking in the workplace may involve giving a presentation to a small group of employees to speaking to a large audience at a national event.

Whether leading meetings, training staff members or pitching proposals, employees who can engage audiences with their speaking skills will be more successful. This might mean closing more sales, developing better professional networks, and creating a positive impression of the company.

A job applicant who considers themselves a good public speaker should highlight this in job applications and resumes, including details about their particular strengths. For example, they might focus on their articulation, which refers to speaking at the proper volume, enunciating, and using proper grammar. Clear articulation also requires minimal use of filler words such as “so” and “um.”

Effective public speakers familiarize themselves with their material before the presentation. While they do not have to memorize their speech, they should feel comfortable enough that they do not hesitate excessively or repeat themselves. They also need to speak at a natural, unrushed pace.

Professional presentations might contain less-than-fascinating information, but a good public speaker can still engage audiences. Tools such as vocal tone, facial expression, body language, and timing can bring dry material to life. A successful public speech requires a clear understanding of the audience and what they want from the presentation. For example, some crowds will appreciate humor, while others expect a more straightforward style. Writing and delivering an effective speech requires clarity around the audience’s needs.

Formal speeches, such as a presentation at a conference, will require pre-planning and preparation, while casual workplace meetings will be more spontaneous. In both cases, the speaker should be thorough but concise, covering all key points in a rational, organized manner. Storytelling and the ability to leave out irrelevant details set the best speakers apart.

Other key public speaking skills include managing performance anxiety, maintaining eye contact with the audience, varying vocal tone, and including compelling information to support key ideas. Speakers can also enhance audience experience by handing out literature or notes to help them follow along. The emotional factors underlying how well you speak publicly are largely related to your level of self-confidence about who you are, what you know, and your getting past the fear of being judged harshly by others. These are the areas where a skilled executive coach can be particularly helpful.

Professionals who want to hone their public speaking skills can consider working with an executive coach or taking a public speaking workshop (and then following up by working with the coach). They can also practice in front of friends or colleagues, requesting feedback to help them pinpoint areas for improvement. Additionally, YouTube videos of accomplished public speakers offer examples of body language and vocal techniques to emulate. The value of the executive coach is that this professional will provide supportive but also “objective” feedback, both positive and “negative,” which co-workers, friends, and family members might be more hesitant to provide.