Public Speaking Skills, Important or Essential?

Public Speaking Skills, Important or Essential?

Are we skillful in getting our point across? Do we relate well with others? Are speaking skills important or essential?

Some may think that good communication skills are not essential because they don’t speak in public, or are not currently in a job that requires speaking “publicly”. First, let’s address this. Have you spoken with anyone today? You probably have and unless you only talk to yourself in the bathroom or any other secluded place, you are indeed a “public” speaker. Now, think back to any verbal discourse with someone today and ask yourself: “How did it go; did my verbal and nonverbal communication present my intended message, was it received in the way I intended, and did I receive my intended feedback”?

The importance of constantly developing and using good communication skills in every part of our day becomes apparent in this example. Remember getting directions from someone while navigating in an unfamiliar town, and then you became more lost than you were before asking for assistance? Somehow you and your guide did not communicate well. Was this exercise in communication just “important”, or was it “essential”? Depends.

If you arrived late at your family picnic, then communication skills in this case, were perhaps just “important” unless of course you arrived too late to enjoy Aunt Jane’s fried chicken. However, if you were on your way to a job interview, you may have missed advancing your career because you arrived late, due to this misguided communication. Worse yet, if you arrived at your job interview on time but because your communication skills were poor, you foiled any possibility of being hired. Is the word “essential” taking on more meaning?

Getting directions, or giving directions as in our earlier scenario above requires communication from both the speaker and the receiver. But since we can’t control others, the responsibility to give and receive accurate information relies on our side. You can now start to see how good communication skills can truly be essential in your social or business life. Become interested in learning to speak well, and then become trained. Take a course either at a formal educational source, online, or in other ways.

All of us are public speakers at least at some level, and I believe good public speaking skills are essential in every area of life. Good communication skills will get people to accept your ideas, help improve relationships, and advance your career.

Ter Scott – Professional Public Speaker is available for Keynotes, Seminars, and Consulting

Lisa Braithwaite (http://coachlisab.blogspot.com/2007/11/seven-ways-to-practice-public-speaking.html) states “It's getting harder and harder to find a job that doesn't require competency in communication and public speaking skills”. She lists seven ways to practice public speaking in the workplace. Visit this blog and say “Ter Scott sent you!”

Estienne de Beer (http://www.crmlearning.com/blog/?p=39) states: “Perhaps you think your career does not entail delivering any presentations. Well, this is where you might be wrong because no matter what your job is, presentation skills ultimately will come into the picture in some ways.” Visit this blog and say “Ter Scott sent you!”