Public speaking whether that be in front of a crowd, reporters, staff, or key stakeholders is an important skill for any CEO. However, many still find it challenging. Even experienced leaders can feel nervous, have trouble getting their point across, or failing to keep their audience interested. The good news is that with the right approach, any CEO can familiarize themselves with speaking with confidence and impact.
Common Challenges CEOs Face
Even successful business leaders run into problems when speaking in public. Some of the biggest challenges include:
- Fear of public speaking – This is the number fear for many people and even confident leaders can feel nervous. This can result in unintended errors, from forgetting key points, to rush through the speech or even speak in a dull tone.
- Difficulty connecting with the audience – If speakers don’t engage, people lose interest and the intended message may miss the mark.
- Too much jargon – Using buzzwords can make it hard for a general audience to understand or relate to.
- Boring presentations – A speech that’s all facts and figures can be hard to remember without a strong narrative weaving the presentation together.
Fortunately, these challenges can be overcome with practice and strategy.
Techniques for More Effective Speech Delivery
1. Use Pauses Instead of Fillers
When people get nervous, they tend to say “um” and “uh” a lot. Instead, take a brief pause and breath. It helps your audience process what you’re saying, allows you to gather your thoughts, makes you sound more confident and intentional. Now don’t go taking awkward pauses that run longer than five to ten seconds, that will create unease amongst your audience.
2. Talk Like You’re Having a Conversation
Understandably, you will have worked through your thoughts, and will likely have a plan of delivery, but you don’t have to sound stiff or rehearsed. Imagine you’re talking to a friend. Speak naturally, vary your tone, and emphasize key points to keep people interested.
3. Use Confident Body Language
Your gestures and posture matter. Keep eye contact, use hand movements that feel natural, but also add to your messaging, and stand tall. Avoid crossing your arms or pacing too much.
4. Make It a Story, Not Just Facts
People remember stories more than dry facts. Instead of just giving numbers, share real-life examples, challenges, and lessons learned. It makes your speech more engaging.
5. Practice Without Memorizing
Going over your speech helps you feel prepared, but don’t memorize it word for word. Focus on the main points and let your words come naturally so you sound more relaxed. This allows you to do in-realtime adjustments to your speech should the moment require it.
CEOs Who Have Transformed Their Public Speaking Skills
Many well-known business leaders have conquered their fear of public speaking and learned how to engage audiences:
- Warren Buffett was once terrified of speaking in public. He took a Dale Carnegie course to build confidence and improve his presentation skills. Today, he’s a respected communicator.
- Sheryl Sandberg learned how to tell stories that inspire action, making her speeches at Facebook memorable and relatable.
- Steve Jobs became famous for his captivating Apple keynotes by keeping his message simple, using strong storytelling, and connecting with his audience.
Public speaking is a skill anyone can improve. With practice and the right techniques, any CEO can go from feeling nervous to delivering speeches that inspire and engage.
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