Communication Mind

Public speaking – is that really “a thing” anymore? Some of you will have had classes in this, in school. Some of you have despised those classes. Some of you will have come across public speaking in your professional career. Most of you will have performed a “public speech” at some point. And it is indeed an ancient art. But, as an ancient art, does it have any legitimation today, in this high-tech world with all its digital and AI-based devices?

I would argue that it does. 

In my perspective, a public speech is something you deliver to an audience larger than just one or a few other people. 

When you work with communication, regardless of position or business, there are times when these kinds of addresses will be inevitable. And in many cases, there are times when I think you should regard them as great opportunities, instead of a necessary evil. 

I’ve had a lot of workshops on the subject, for all kinds of participants; managers from a variety of industries, communication professionals, teachers, lawyers, politicians. The most odd sector I think may have been distribution logisticians. 

The one thing that unites these groups is that at the beginning of the workshop, a majority of them are nervous. In some cases to the degree that they feel bad. Another significant similarity between these groups is that at the end of the workshop, every participant has accomplished a public speech. In most cases above their own expectations. 

And that’s what I love most about conducting these workshops; witnessing that spark ignite. Being a part of people discovering new facets of their own abilities and growing in them. Because one thing I’m convinced of; everyone can speak publicly. Not everyone can do it the same way, with the same impact. But everyone can do it well, in their own way. And most can do it better than they think.

I don’t believe in any simple truths or answers. I don’t carry a finished answer key with me. No templates on how to move, sound, or look. I bring with me a theoretical foundation that we explore together. And that foundation isn’t something I should take credit for. It’s built on centuries of knowledge, developed and refined by far more competent individuals than myself. I bring tools and exercises that we engage in together. It’s the participants’ own competence, knowledge, and abilities that come to light in these exercises.

This is what I plan to delve into further in upcoming posts about public speaking. I hope you’ll join me for those!