From nerves to confidence: the public speaking advantage for conscious leaders

Public speaking is a vital skill for professionals, whether you’re leading a team or presenting to a larger audience. Effective communication is often key to career advancement, from expressing ideas clearly to motivating your audience.

Earlier this week, I co-facilitated a presentation skills workshop. This experience made me reflect on how much improving these skills hinges on conscious leadership principles. These principles encompass visible aspects like body language, posture, and voice projection, as well as the less obvious elements such as managing nerves, self-criticism, and handling discomfort.

Embracing Emotions

It’s common to feel nervous or anxious about public speaking. Conscious leaders acknowledge these emotions and have strategies to manage them. One method is to accept the emotion and reassure themselves that it’s okay to feel this way. This acceptance helps regulate and calm the emotion. Another approach is to reframe the emotion. Research shows that we construct our own understanding of emotions. For example, anxiety and excitement are physiologically similar. By telling yourself you’re excited rather than anxious, you can actually transform your feelings. Try it out and see the difference!

Posture Matters

Many people underestimate how posture influences thoughts and emotions. Standing hunched over can make you feel vulnerable, while standing tall with grounded feet boosts confidence. Conscious leaders recognize this connection and adjust their posture to feel more confident and self-assured.

Managing Thoughts

Negative thoughts and self-criticism can undermine confidence. Conscious leaders are aware of these thoughts and handle them with compassion. They counter negative thoughts with logical arguments. For instance, if you think, “I’m going to mess up,” counter it with:

- “I’ve given talks before and they went well. This time should be no different.”

- “If I make a mistake, it’s not a big deal. I can correct it and continue.”

- “Making mistakes is human, and others will understand.”

- “Practice and preparation will reduce the likelihood of errors.”

Embracing Discomfort

Learning new skills, especially public speaking, is inherently uncomfortable. Conscious leaders accept this discomfort as part of the process and work through it to improve. They are open to trying new techniques, even if they feel uncomfortable initially.

Seeking Feedback

Public speaking skills improve significantly with feedback. Conscious leaders seek regular feedback through various means, such as filming themselves, asking knowledgeable colleagues for input, or working with professional coaches. Joining speaking associations and courses also provides valuable feedback and practice opportunities.

Using Empathy

Good speakers focus on their audience. Conscious leaders use empathy to understand their audience’s needs and tailor their messages accordingly. This approach ensures that their speeches resonate more effectively with their listeners.

Minimizing Distractions

Conscious leaders are mindful of their impact on the audience. They minimize distractions, such as filler words and nervous movements, to keep the audience focused on the message. This clarity enhances the overall effectiveness of their communication.

The Conscious Leadership Advantage

By applying conscious leadership principles, both visible and invisible, leaders can significantly enhance their public speaking skills. These principles give them an advantage, making their communication more effective and impactful.

How  would the Conscious Leadership Advantage level up your presentation skills? Let me know.