Every time you speak, you’re doing more than just getting your message across. You’re creating opportunities to level up your speaking skills – and that applies to everyone from beginners to seasoned presenters.
Getting better at speaking doesn’t require complicated frameworks or memorization. It starts with five simple questions.
Ask yourself:
1. What do I like about my speaking?
Confidence is an essential part of speaking. In fact, it’s one of the highest-leverage skills we focus on in our Fundamentals course.
It’s easy to ask “What do I do badly?” or “What can I improve from the last time I spoke?” Instead, nurture your mindset by actively noticing what you like about your speaking. Maybe you’re a master of analogies, or you know how to respond when you’re put on the spot. Acknowledge it, and you’ll put yourself in a more confident mindset.
2. What’s my main message?
If you aren’t clear on your main point, your audience won’t be able to understand it either. Start by picking one thing you want your audience to take away, and use that as a guide throughout your speaking.
3. How can I say this in another way?
When you practice expressing your idea in different ways, you’ll be able to navigate it with more flexibility and help your audience understand it, too. Experiment with a variety of methods and formats, like:
- Using an analogy
- Giving yourself less time or more time
- Starting at the end and working your way backwards
- Starting with the high level and going into detail…
4. What’s an energy I am comfortable in?
We all have an energy that makes us feel confident and at ease, whether it’s calm, thoughtful, excited, passionate, or playful. Start by finding yours.
Then, challenge yourself by identifying the opposite energy, and try to incorporate that into your speaking too: if you like being playful, introduce a few contemplative moments. If you’re typically relaxed, try to incorporate a more enthusiastic energy. The contrast will make your natural energy shine.
5. Where did I learn what I’m sharing?
People don’t always want to hear someone giving them advice, but they can’t help but listen to stories. When you share your learnings through storytelling, your audience will be more engaged and receptive to the lessons within those stories.
