06.12.2024 Today’s Insights on Public Speaking from Harvard Business Review: To Become a Better Presenter, Look Inward
Dear Students,
While this might seem hard to believe, it’s been said that some 75% of people (hopefully not you, though) fear public speaking more than death. It’s not just hearsay, either – this factoid comes to us via the National Institutes of Mental Health! At the same time, Wikipedia, LinkedIn and Brainly estimate that 70% of all jobs include some form of public speaking. So, how do we reconcile these two figures, in light of preparing ambitious international students like you for successful global careers?
The key to overcoming such feelings, according to Deborah Greyson Riegel, professional speaker, best-selling author, Columbia grad and coach, is to look inward. What does she mean? Put another way, “Becoming a good presenter takes more than just focusing on your vocal, verbal, and visual skill development. It also requires getting into the right mindsets by reflecting on your beliefs and behaviors.” Following this guidance, and the three strategies Riegel (also an MSW and professional speechwriter) suggests, requires self-awareness, which candidates like you are fortunate to develop and expand throughout the MCI coaching process.
While learning about and gaining experience with the actual mechanics of communication (voice, gestures, etc.) certainly factor into becoming a more comfortable presenter, Riegel’s words can also help young professionals like you and your friends to recognize that you may inadvertently sometimes “get in your own way,” through your traditional thinking about doing so. Coaching sessions provide an excellent opportunity for students like you to explore such pre-existing (and sometimes limiting) beliefs, mindsets and expectations, which may actually be holding back a potentially powerful aspiring professional presenter – you!
Why not let your coach “present” this idea to you one day soon? The ensuing discussion may help to happily transition you from the fearful 75% to the expected 70% of talent mentioned above!
Best,
Amy-Louise