Among the top skills of an inspirational and efficient leader is the power to influence and inspire people through public speaking. If we take a look at iconic leaders of the modern world, they have all been great public speakers, starting with Winston Churchill and ending with Steve Jobs.
Public speaking is an institution of its own, with particular rules and huge benefits to be reaped. As our communications become more and more depersonalized by technology — emails, video and voice messages, direct messaging — the need for direct communication has gained an increasingly important role.
Digital businesses are perceived as abstract entities, difficult to relate to as a business partner, vendor, or customers. This is why business leaders need to put a human face and give a human voice to their organizations. One of the key ways they can do this is through public speaking. And there are even more ways in which public speaking is vital to business leadership, such as:
1. Customers Choose the Person First, the Brand Afterwards
Both in B2B and B2C the person who represents the company is the first selling proposition the organization has to offer. Simply put, people buy based on the impression left on them by the leader of the company. The feeling of loyalty and trust towards the brand is forged by loyalty and trust towards its leader.
Public speaking events are thus opportunities to sell yourself and your organization. The skill and charisma you display in delivering your speech are key ingredients to the future business dealings your organization will conclude with some of the participants.
The feeling of loyalty and trust towards the brand is forged by loyalty and trust towards its leader.
2. You Become the Voice of Change
We are talking about change management on a daily basis, but are we really talking to the right audience? Or does anyone hear us, apart from our teams? Each public event at which you give a speech is an opportunity to promote this change and make it the mission statement of your business.
When you want to promote change, you should do it in person. Emails and video conferences do not hold the same power to convey your message and dedication towards the goals you propose.
3. Constantly Challenge Yourself to Become a Better Leader
Each keynote speech you hold is a milestone in your journey towards successful leadership, because each speech you prepare and deliver is a challenge you set for yourself, a new hurdle to overcome. Many leaders are keen to take part in “speaking tours”, in which they have to deliver the same message but in different forms for each audience.
This type of activity prepares you for a more “out of the box” approach to business thinking and strategies, because you learn to look at the same situation from different angles and discover new strengths, opportunities and threats.
4. Unite Audience under a Powerful Message
Everyone needs to feel that they belong. As a part of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, belongingness is one of the key drivers behind our decisions and choices in life. Large organizations are successful because, aside from other factors, their leaders found and promoted a message that many people agree with and are willing to endorse.
This is the reason why, for instance, Apple customers will purchase the latest iPhone model, even though the one they already own is still working very well. Or the reason why people are more willing to donate to charities endorsed by iconic leaders in their keynote speeches.
5. Improve Your Non-Verbal Communication Skills
When you speak before an audience, the message you convey does not come just from your words, but from your entire body. The way you stand, the way you walk around the stage, the way you look at the audience and move your arms and hands send messages too. These means of non-verbal communication can enforce or, on the contrary, negate the message you want to give in your speech.
Mastering non-verbal communication is a key trait of a good leader.
Mastering non-verbal communication is a key trait of a good leader. It is of paramount importance in face-to-face negotiations. Therefore, public speaking engagements are one of the best ways in which you can train yourself for this vital leadership skill.
This article was originally published on pldx.org.
