Written by: Paulette Chaffee
Skilled public speakers can move and influence thousands when speeches are executed with confidence. Paulette Chaffee, an educator and speech therapist, says that with the proper strategies and practice, anyone can become a more self-assured public speaker using these tips:
Tip No1. Face the fear
According to Forbes Magazine, the average person’s number one fear is public speaking. In fact, 76% of people have some type of fear or anxiety revolving around speaking or presenting in public. The fear of public speaking does not primarily have to do with the quality of a speech as much as it has to do with the feelings, thoughts, and actions a speaker faces when public speaking. Theories and research behind why so many people fear public speaking boil the reasoning down to four key contributing factors: physiology, thoughts, situations, and skills. Rather than just being aware of a fear existing around public speaking, it is crucial for a person to define what factors fuel that fear so they can face it and grow from it.
Tip No2. Get comfortable with a talk
When trying to shake any nervousness about an upcoming speech, practice is vital. The more comfortable speakers become with the words they plan to say, the less anxiety they are likely to have onstage. To get comfortable, consider recording a talk ten times and critiquing each take before filming the next try, working on any parts of the talk where critiques are made. This routine will allow a speaker to enhance their speech while becoming more familiar with the words and delivery desired.
Tip No3. Practice making eye contact
Public speakers want to build trust with their audience to help listeners have confidence in what the speaker is saying. Making eye contact is considered the first step to building audience members' trust. Therefore, speakers can practice their speech in front of trustworthy friends or family members to incorporate making eye contact with various people in the audience.
Tip No4. Stop thinking about you
Harvard Business Review released an article stating that people can overcome the fear of public speaking if they shift their focus and stop thinking about themselves. During a public speaking engagement, speakers can experience shaking, shortness of breath, and a flushed face, as another human’s watchful eyes can feel like an existential threat. Turning the focus away from oneself helps shift one’s mindset towards human generosity, reframing the mind to want to help the audience rather than feeling threatened by them. In addition, studies have revealed that increasing generosity decreases amygdala activity. The amygdala is set within the limbic system and sparks the fight-or-flight response.
Tip No5. Trade filler words for pauses
Reciting a talk multiple times can help eliminate filler words such as “um” or “like,” which can distract the audience from hearing the important message. Speakers should not be afraid of silence, which is often why people use filler words. Replacing filler words with pauses helps to give listeners a break between thoughts, acting like a verbal period in a sentence.
About Paulette Chaffee
Paulette Chaffee is a teacher, speech therapist, and attorney deeply involved in the Fullerton community. As an educator and member of various non-profit boards, her focus has always been on providing children with the highest quality education. Ms. Chaffee holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Redlands, a California Lifetime Teaching Credential, and is admitted to the California Bar.
