Why Speak?

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Thanks to Fred Miller, author of No Sweat Public Speaking for this guest post.

I speak, teach, and blog about public speaking.

One of the questions I’m often asked is, “Why Speak?”

The query usually goes like this: “I work at a company, in a cubicle, on a computer, and do bookkeeping, customer service, fulfillment, etc. all day.  I don’t speak to customers very often, and only see co-workers at lunch and breaks.  When we get together, we just talk – no speeches.  The same goes for my interactions with friends and family: just talk -  no speeches.

Besides not making presentations, and not doing any other kind of speaking to groups, why would I want to get up in front of a group and speak?  I’ve read where it’s one of the greatest fears people have, and, I gotta tell you – I agree!”

Let me start answering the “Why Speak?” question with an example from my days answering the ‘hot line’ for a Toastmaster Club I belonged to.  The call usually went something like this:  “I’m an accountant.  I’m really good at what I do.  Most of what I do is working, on a computer, with lots of numbers on spreadsheets.  My boss told me if I have the goal of ever becoming a partner in the firm, I’m going to have to give presentations; internal, to team members and external, to prospects, clients and sometimes associations.  I really do want to be a partner some day.  Can you guys help me?”

I would always invite them to attend a meeting, as a guest, and get a taste of what Toastmasters offers.  Quite a few joined.  A number went on to achieve their goal of ‘Partner’.

One answer to “Why Speak?” is: If you want to climb the corporate ladder, you’ll be expected to speak.  We expect leaders to be good speakers. You will stand out from the crowd if you are a good communicator.  You may actually know less than others in your group, but the perception will be that you are a leader because you ‘speak’.  Speaking takes you above the dividing line.  Leaders get promoted and leaders earn more money. Those two facts should at least get you thinking about improving your public speaking skills.

Speaking, like writing articles, is a way to give others the message that you are an expert.  Perception is reality, and the person at the front of the room, presenting to others, is perceived to be an expert.  All things being equal, I like to work with experts, don’t you?  Being perceived as an expert will help your career whether employed by others or self-employed.

But even if you really will never ever speak in front of groups, the ability to do so will greatly improve your one-on-one communication skills.  I know you do that!

By studying public speaking, you’ll learn that it is not just the words you speak that deliver your message, but how they are said.  More importantly, you’ll learn that your non-verbal communication communicates more than your words.  Gestures, facial expressions, and body movement must be in sync with your words and the way they are spoken.  Doing this in front of an audience will make you better in front of a client, prospect, or team member.  Your ideas and suggestions will be better understood and lead to better interactions.

A final reason to speak is that it gets you ‘out of your comfort zone’.  Most people, as already noted, have a fear of public speaking.  The saying, ‘face the fear and do it anyway’ is relevant here.  When we get out of our comfort zone – we make it larger. This is a good thing! It opens the path to learning new skills, increasing our interests, and gaining confidence, all good things that will make your life more interesting, productive and enjoyable.

I trust this response answers the question, “Why Speak?”

If you read this far, you now “Get It!”

The next step, and I challenge you, is: “Speak!”

It’s your turn.  Do you think public speaking is important?  What benefits do you see from public speaking?