Press Room
Debunking the seven public speaking myths
by Suzanne Bates
At some point in your career -- whether you're making a pitch to potential investors or talking to potential licensors of your technology -- speaking well could be one of the most important factors determining your success. You may have all the potential in the world, but if your career stalls, the reason may be the way you communicate with important audiences.
To change this situation, you need to confront seven common myths about public speaking. If you recognize any of these myths on this list, do something about them as early as you can.
Myth No. 1: Only a few people are really good at speaking. The truth is, even the greatest orators were not born with innate speaking skills. Everyone must practice to learn to speak well. And despite what you might think, extroverts have no advantage over introverts. Each personality type brings some natural skills to speaking, but like learning to tie your shoes or solve algebra problems, speaking requires a skill set you must practice and learn.
Myth No. 2: If I just work really hard, someone is bound to notice me. Chaining yourself to your desk and keeping your head down is not a good career strategy. It makes you invisible to your boss, to your colleagues and to people who report to you. You want others to view you as a contributor, and that means speaking, both formally and informally. Well-prepared communication with everyone with whom you work will let them see you as a real asset within your organization.
Myth No. 3: My silence is respectful. In business, a silent person is perceived as someone who has nothing to say. If no one on the team knows anything about your ideas, they'll also assume you bring no value to the team -- even if you're very smart and talented. Start thinking through your strategic views and write them down. Then practice so that you're prepared to present and discuss your views in company meetings. When two people of equal value are in competition for a promotion, the one who can articulate the strategy and value will always get it.
Myth No. 4: There are no opportunities for me to speak. Don't sit around and wait for opportunities to come your way, go out and create them. Remember that those in senior positions to you will be judging you every day, assessing whether you have the right stuff to be a leader in the organization.
Myth No. 5: I don't have time to prepare, so I'll just wing it. Speaking with confidence and in a way that adds value is essential to career success. Your presentations must have both content and style, so your delivery must be relaxed and confident. The way to achieve this is preparing thoroughly for any formal or informal presentation. The best way to look as if you know what you're talking about is to know what you're talking about. Put in as much time as you can to prepare. Never wing it.
Myth No. 6: If my PowerPoint is great, my presentation will amaze them. Preparation means more than putting in untold hours on a killer slide show. In fact, forget about the slides: Just outline your own unique, powerful ideas, then place yourself in a room by yourself and practice out loud. Practicing this way is the single most important thing you can do to become a better speaker. Leave the PowerPoint at home.
Myth No. 7: My utter terror is a sign that I shouldn't be speaking. Don't mistake anxiety for an inability to speak. Your apprehension may feel overwhelming, but it will be directly related to under-preparation. Your nerves may simply be your body's way of telling you that you're not ready to speak yet, that you haven't put in enough time writing, preparing or practicing. Don't let this debilitate you -- let it mobilize you to take action. Though they're certainly common beliefs, none of these myths are true. Anyone can become a great speaker if they simply beat back these inhibitors and put in the time to prove them wrong. Speaking never fails to have a significant impact on a career, so go out and show much value you can add to the organization. Senior management will recognize you for your confidence, initiative, and ideas, and find ways to reward you as a bona fide leader.
Suzanne Bates is president and CEO of Bates Communications of Wellesley, and author of Speak Like a CEO: Secrets to Commanding Attention and Getting Results. She can be reached at 800-908-8239.