Hello, this is Laura Lee Rose – author of the business and time management book TimePeace: Making peace with time and The Book of Answers: 105 Career Critical Situations– and I am a business and efficiency coach that specializes in time management, project management and work-life balance strategies. Steve Wynkoop and I talk a lot about designing and managing our professional careers on a weekly interview on SSWUG TV.
The IT Professional Development Toolkit DVD or Online Program goes into further details on the who, what, where, when, and why of these topics.
As we rise up the corporate ladder, public speaking (whether in the form of presentations, proposals or seminars) becomes a large part of our advancement. It helps us build our reputation, credentials and professionalism. As our career develops, our professionalism and talent needs to become more public; therefore, public speaking will become a part of the job.
Even though public speaking is important to any career advancement, many are uncomfortable in front on an audience.
Here are some quick tips:
1) Consider ToastMasters to improve your public speaking. It’s an unitimidating environment filled with people with the same goals.
2) Talk about things you are passionate and know about. Everyone is excited to talk about their passions and experiences.
3) Practice, practice, practice. Take every opportunity to stretch yourself. At every interaction, make it a goal to tell one story to a stranger or group (just one story).
5) Everyone understands how difficult it is to speak in front of groups. They appreciate what it takes to get up there and want you to succeed. Acknowledge that everyone in the audience is on your side.
6) Another thing that helps is to use your speech to speak well of someone else. Sometimes it is easier to speak of someone elses’ endeavors and accomplishments because you are placing the spotlight on them (instead of on yourself).