In a working life full of networking events, meetings and conferences, of all the transformational skills you can acquire to succeed in business, public speaking is high on the list, and yet it’s a skill that is often overlooked or ignored.
This is why we asked Victory Offices member and expert on public speaking, Carmen Sederino from Illuminated Story, to sit down with us to talk about how YOU can double your value by becoming a great public speaker.
Carmen shares incredible insight into why public speaking is so beneficial, as well as tactics you can implement to improve immediately.
If you’d like to see the full interview you can view it below or on our YouTube Channel Victory TV, otherwise keep reading the truncated version of our discussion for her expert advice.
Can public Speaking improve your business or career?
The more successful you become the more people expect you to be confident and comfortable speaking publicly. Whether you’re pitching to clients, negotiating with a supplier, or leading your people.
It seems like one of the biggest concerns people have in conjunction with public speaking is nerves, which I can personally understand, do you have any techniques that you use to manage fear?
- PREPARE.
When you look up fear in the dictionary one of the meanings is: you don’t feel prepared. This is where I tell you to practice. Practice out loud or you’ll scare yourself with your voice.
- POWER POSE.
If you can change your physiology you can change the way you feel about something. The way you feel is very important.
- LISTEN & RESPOND.
Remember to be in the moment and engage with your audience.
The content of a speech is a small component of effective communication, it’s also important to master your tone, delivery and how you show up physically. What’s your advice on how to master your tone and presentation?
Our communication is received in three different ways, visual, vocal, and verbal
- 55% Visual – Our physiology and body language.
- 38% Vocal – Tone.
- 7% Verbal – What we say.
This doesn’t mean what we say isn’t important it means that if your visual, vocal, and verbal aren’t congruent with your message then people will be looking at what you’re doing not listening to what you’re saying.
Do you have any last words of wisdom for our readers?
Warren Buffet, one of the most successful businessmen in America, is always asked ‘what’s the secret formula to being great in business?’ and his answer is surprising, he says ‘become a great public speaker’. You can increase your value by 50% over time by becoming a great public speaker.
My advice would be to remember that you aren’t born a great public speaker, you can be trained, it’s a skill that can be learned, so invest, invest in a coach, or invest time in becoming a great public speaker.
If you have questions, comments or thoughts about how to master public speaking include them in the comments below, that’s where the most important conversations happen, and where you can begin to find your community!
Otherwise, get in touch with Carmen, and invest in becoming the best version of yourself!
If you want to see more interviews like this one subscribe to our channel Victory TV, and we’ll see you next time with more helpful interviews so we can help you EXCEED THE BENCHMARK.