ENHANCE YOUR PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS

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Today’s executives are called upon more than ever before to stand in front of an audience or the news media to share their knowledge, insights, and opinions, or critical information concerning their organization and its performance. The success of each speech, presentation or interview they give is contingent on a wide assortment of factors, such as having a keen knowledge of the subject matter they wish to address, and their ability to communicate it in ways that are both confident and persuasive.

While some executives might relish the opportunity to engage large gatherings, others shy away. For them, the thought of public speaking generates fear and anxiety. Some of the most common reasons they give for this fear include: 

• A Fear of Embarrassment: Anxiety about making mistakes, mispronouncing words, or looking foolish. 
• Fear of a Negative Audience Reaction: Concern about boos, laughter, or criticism. 
• Fear of Physical Symptoms: Sweating, shaking, blushing, or a racing heart making them look nervous.
• Fear of Being Asked Difficult Questions: Not knowing how to respond to unexpected inquiries. 
• Fear of Looking Unprofessional: Speaking too fast, using filler words, or stumbling over words. 

However, with practice and preparation, public speaking anxiety can be managed! One of the best ways is to seek out and secure a speaking coach, which has proven to be an incredibly valuable experience for many wishing to improve their public speaking skills and overall confidence. 

Using a speaking coach, you will:

• Receive Tailored Advice: Based on your unique strengths and areas for improvement pinpointing habits – like filler words, pacing issues, or body language – that you might not notice on your own. 
• Learn to Manage Stage Fright: By teaching techniques such as breathing exercises, visualization, and confidence-building strategies to reduce nervousness. 
• Organize Your Thoughts: Refine your message and ensure your speech is engaging and easy to follow. This improves both preparation and delivery.
• Strengthen Voice and Nonverbal Cues: Gestures, posture, and eye contact play a huge role in effective communication. A coach helps you use them strategically to convey confidence and authority. 
• Critique Your Practice Speeches: Allows you to make adjustments before delivering them in high-stakes situations like meetings, presentations, or public events. 
• Learn New Techniques: A coach teaches techniques to captivate listeners, such as storytelling, humor, and rhetorical devices, making your speeches more compelling and memorable.   

Beyond a single speech, the skills you gain by having an executive speaking coach will always stay with you, making you a more confident and effective communicator in all areas of your life.

At Laskos Communications, our executive public-speaking coach has a national track record of more than 20 years assisting CEOs and corporate executives from many top-tier corporations enhance their speaking and presentation skills. Under her one-on-one, personal and discreet guidance, many have discovered and strengthened their skills and abilities to confidently address large gatherings in ways they thought not possible before. She can help you perfect your skills and confidence as well. 

Email Laskos Communications today and schedule an appoinment to speak with our executive coach.