You have something to say
You have something to contribute.
If you don’t speak up, you’re cheating your company, your team, your community, your family. This doesn’t mean everyone will agree with, or care about, your message. It simply means that you have something to say—and it must come through you.
Your biggest obstacle to speaking up is self-limiting beliefs.
The common culprits that undercut our confidence are thoughts like:
I don’t sound intelligent.
I don’t have any new ideas.
I’ll forget what I planned to say.
I don’t deserve to be talking to these people—they’re so much smarter than me.
No one cares about what I have to say.
You have the ability to speak effectively. You have unique insights and experiences that can inspire an audience. Here are a few fundamental practices that allow you to be more effective as a communicator or presenter:
1. Be yourself: When it comes to communication, the most destructive thought in your mind is, “I’m not enough.” In that moment, you forfeit the power of authenticity as you try to be someone else.
2. Use stories: Personal stories are a great way to support your key points. Stories are effective because they: a.) require no memorization… b.) can be told with confidence since you “own” it… and c.) give the audience insight into your humanness.
3. Connect with your audience: Speak with your audience. Look in their eyes, get out from behind the podium and move toward them. Reading PowerPoint slides won’t cut it. If you can hold an engaging lunch conversation with friends, without the use of PowerPoint, you can do that with your audience.
The book, The Leaders Voice tells a story of James Earl Jones who spent his youth challenged with severe stuttering. This issue caused him to remain virtually silent throughout his childhood. Yes, the same James Earl Jones who’s famous for his deep and commanding voice. In high school, Jones was required to read a poem he had written. The class was amazed by the way he read his words. What Jones took away from that experience was this: “Make sure the words are yours. Push them from the very bottom of your soul. The performance will take care of itself.”
So it is with you. You have something to say.
Consider joining our team as we work alongside a dozen individuals committed to gaining the courage and skill to maximize their communication impact.
