It’s a fear that many of us deal with … the fear of speaking. But here’s one thing that may entice you into more events where you can test your eloquence. It may scare the bejeebies outta you, and that fear may help with creative tension, but in the big picture, it’s all good … and good for your leadership!

Speaking at conferences, luncheons, or civic groups builds a keen awareness about your subject.  That’s right. Thought you knew something well before? Well, now try to put it into eloquent words and recite it to an audience. I guarantee you it’ll bring come acuity to your awareness of the subject. Putting an area of interest into a monologue will task that noggin of yours to translate your know-how on the subject into a descriptive narrative. That takes study and insight … something you may not have applied to the subject as deeply before.

Here are the 5  reasons why your speaking soliloquy can you into a stronger leader:

Reason 1: Exposing Yourself (not like that, though) Builds Confidence

Putting yourself in the spotlight in front of a crowd builds self-confidence. After all, this is a greater human fear than dying in a  house fire. You will begin to see a lowered anxiety level the more you do it, and subsequently a continued payback of confidence. Eventually, you may even feel yourself empowered by the energy in the room.

Reason 2: Your Perspective of Your Market Will Increase Beyond Your Little World

Interacting with audiences allows you to learn from “what’s out there,” making you more savvy about your immediate world. Take your talk to a diverse group or monthly association meeting, and you’ll hear all sorts of differing feedback. You may even get pushback. Bravo. Now you’re on the way to defending your expertise by hearing how people punch holes in it. Fun.

Reason 3: You’ll Be Seen as an Expert

Being labeled as the “guest speaker” positions you as an authority, whether you feel you are or not. Toss out the little voice in your head touting “you’ll be exposed as a fraud! They won’t really believe a word you say.” That’s your self-doubt stealing your thunder. In fact, your best bet for reinforcing a resume is to get out there and talk about your expertise, even if it’s just a developing expertise. This especially builds confidence for women.

Reason 4: You’ll Be Setting Yourself Apart

Many audience members will admire you for speaking because so many of them might never consider public speaking. This is also a great reminder for quelling your fear of audience scrutiny because, unless you have terribly intimidating and well-versed listeners, most are likely in awe of the fact that you’re up there talking.

After one of my first proactive ventures in front of a class to share a lesson in leadership, I nervously asked my co-facilitator if it was alright that I jumped in. He stated “I think it showed moxy. I liked it.”

Reason 5: Your Understanding Of The Subject Will Clarify and Deepen

To understand this one, create a quick list of 3-4 things that you are pretty good at doing. These would be competencies that you have that are at least slightly unique to you, or better than your colleagues.  Then select one and ask yourself to articulate your three lessons learned in that skill. Voila, you have the bones of a great talk.

For example, if your strength is working with prospective customers to problem solve their service delivery and define their needs, you have little tricks that you’ve learned that make you effective at helping them. Maybe it’s a well-phrased question you pose them or a go-to solution that typically works. Your speaking title may now be “Top Strategies To Getting Your Customer To Use Your Expertise.” Outlining a talk will help define your philosophy and strategic approach to that subject.

So when you are next to a learned colleague at a business dinner and he wants to know your view of the market, you are ready with thought-out philosophy and lessons to share.

MORE Resources

Video Blog lesson – Be a Better Speaker, Be a Better Leader

Podcast 21 – Increasing Your Skill & Reducing Your Fear