The Power of Public Speaking

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Jack has what his Irish mother called the gift of blarney. He is an eloquent conversationalist who dominates the discourse in business meetings and at cocktail parties. But put him in front of an audience, and he’ll panic. Jack’s ability to charm friends and colleagues, impress potential dates, and talk his way out of parking tickets disappears completely once the atmosphere changes from informal to formal and his conversational partners are reduced to a more passive audience.

Public speaking always includes a speaker who has a reason for speaking, an audience that gives the speaker attention, and a message that is meant to accomplish a specific purpose (“Public speaking,” n.d.). It is an incredibly powerful form of communication that has, in fact, changed the world. From the ancient philosophers, who taught debate skills for use in the courts of ancient Greece, to nineteenth-century American abolitionists, who argued to end slavery in the United States, public speakers continue to chart the course of civilization. Ideally, we should all strive to be informed and conscientious citizens who understand the role of public speaking within a democracy and feel compelled to speak in public on topics that matter to us. Just think about what Jack could do if he used his powers of persuasion on a larger and more formal scale.

Learning how to speak publicly can also play a powerful role in your personal and professional life, giving you an edge over less skilled communicators and putting you in a leadership role (Ahlfeldt, 2009; O’Hair & Stewart, 1998). Companies and personnel managers all over the United States have stated that public speaking is one of the most important skills a potential employee can possess (O’Hair, Stewart, & Rubenstein, 2010).

But what if you feel anxious about public speaking? First of all, realize that you are not alone: 75 percent of people experience pounding hearts and sweaty palms when they think about getting up in front of an audience (Richmond & McCroskey, 1998). Second, recognize that through patience and practice, you can counter some of this anxiety, if not conquer it altogether. This chapter and the chapters that follow show you how to approach public speaking calmly and pragmatically. The first step lies in preparation, the focus of this chapter. The next step focuses on organization, which we’ll talk about in chapter 13, we will discuss the causes of speech anxiety and offer techniques that you can use to manage any concerns you may have. For now, know that being concerned about giving a speech is natural, but preparation and solid effort can make you a successful speaker, for this sort of skill building will enable you to conquer your nervousness (Bodie, 2010; Schroeder, 2002).