“I’m an introvert and don’t like speaking in public”, admitted Ms A, a mid-level executive, almost apologetically.
Ms A had popped into my office after a seminar I’d given on persuasive public speaking and nonverbal communication. Her statement was unexpected because she was active in class, spoke with good diction and appeared confident. I pointed out my observations. She smiled but explained that she was really shy about speaking up at meetings and events. When I asked about her reason for attending the seminar, she explained something interesting:
She was getting more exposure at work and could envisage being required to speak to different groups – including senior management, so she needed to start boosting her skills. So we discussed different ways she could start sharpening her speaking chops.
“I was shaking!” confessed Ms B, a bright female participant in class, after she had given an impromptu pitch to fellow participants in another seminar designed for business owners and managers. When I asked members of the audience about their opinions of her delivery, they declared that she looked confident. Ms B was astonished at the positive feedback.
I’ve heard variations of such statements from female professionals in my role as a communications coach and in my private work as a communication skills trainer. It’s a shame that intelligent, articulate and driven women should think that speaking convincing in public isn’t a skill they could easily develop because of some perceived difficulty.
Now public speaking could be nerve-racking. I’d admit that. There’s a reason it’s reportedly listed as the number one phobia. The thought of having to become ‘exposed’ for others to judge you (unfairly) is enough to trigger the fight-or-flight response. Then there’re the physical or psychological manifestations of anxiety – a dry mouth, a quivering voice, a racing heart, a panic attack, sweats, light-headedness and in some extreme circumstances, fainting. If you’re yet to experience any of the worrisome symptoms associated with public speaking anxiety, you will at some point in your career, and it wouldn’t matter whether you’re male or female.
Still, female professionals have it tougher than males to prove themselves, especially in STEM-related careers and in leadership roles. Women in the C-suite are under-represented. According to recent statistics, the percentage of women in senior roles declined across the globe in 2018. Women held under a quarter (24%) of senior roles across the world in 2018 – a decrease from 25% in 2017.
Nevertheless, there’s progress. For example, countries listed in this report, have made amazing strides in gender equality. Iceland—the first country in the world to elect a female president, and known as “the world’s most feminist country”—tops the list, followed unsurprisingly by Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Other interesting appearances include Nicaragua, Rwanda, Namibia, and the Philippines. Since there’s now more awareness, Japan has set a target for increasing women in leadership positions by 2020.
However, as an ambitious female professional, note this: You’d need to step up and tackle your (natural) aversion to speaking boldly in public, if you want to set yourself up for success. If you do so, when those opportunities arise, you’d become the natural choice in your organisation. Excellent speaking skills will amplify your visibility and heighten your expertise. If you need convincing, below are two reasons you must speak up to advance in your career.
1) Speaking up boosts exposure
A candle placed under a bowl is hidden and cannot illuminate. But remove the bowl, and even in a lit room, people will take notice.
Public speaking is that candle that will generate the desired exposure.
If you’re a conservative woman and don’t like to draw attention to yourself, you risk being passed over for promotions and appointments. Yet, you can increase your chances by deliberately speaking in different forums to contribute insights, to solicit collaboration, or to contest ineffective practices.
Public speaking puts you at the forefront of decision-makers and your audience, making you relevant and the preferred option.
And that’s a priceless advantage to have in this competitive, cutthroat age.
2) Speaking up increases credibility and influence
You might have the best insights in your company about some innovation that would boost the bottom line.
Or your ideas, if adopted, would cut costs dramatically.
Or perhaps your suggestion on how your organisation could use its capabilities in artificial intelligence to solve the epileptic power supply in a post-war African country – is the practical solution no one has considered.
But if you don’t speak up at a town hall, departmental sessions and in presentations delivered to senior management, or externally – at conferences and networking events, one thing is guaranteed. No one would ask you questions or seek clarification, and your brilliant idea will be unsellable.
When you do land a speaking gig, being able to explain your ideas in a simple, brief, and clear manner increases the perception of your credibility in your field. Additionally, if you’re able to handle Q&A sessions, no matter how brutal, with poise and calm confidence, you’d display gravitas and leadership potential.
Whatever your title, as a female professional, speaking in an assertive manner is sometimes required in high-stakes presentations or in addresses to top-ranking officials or government stakeholders. Now assertive speaking might not come naturally to some. Nonetheless, it’s a skill you must learn and hone so that your influence will resonate beyond your field and lead to unexpected opportunities.
In this video, Mrs Ibukun Awosika—the chairwoman of the board of directors of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, and a respected businesswoman and motivational speaker—delivers a powerful, moving speech at the Nigerian Governors’ Forum induction ceremony for returning and incoming governors in Abuja, the nation’s capital. In attendance are Nigerian governors, governors-elect and other top personalities.
Mrs Awosika receives a standing ovation for her speech. Her body language cues, particularly her gestures – open palms, chopping movements, and pointing, signal trust and confidence. These gestures also stress words and phrases at key moments. Furthermore, her deep tone, paired with a loud volume, accentuate her words, making her appear authoritative. Then when referring to the governor of Lagos State, she fleetingly points to someone off-camera and states in an assertive tone at 2.31-minute-mark:
“My life is affected every minute, every second, by what he does or does not do”.
The repetition of ‘every’ adds emphasis, while ‘does or does not’ gives rhythm to her sentence. The female leader is clearly experienced in the art of giving powerful speeches. But even that skill has been learned and honed over time. After watching the video, I wondered why she didn’t campaign for political office. She was knowledgeable, articulate, resolute, authoritative and convincing. I gleaned all these attributes from just one speech.
As a female professional, imagine being able to speak in that compelling manner and having the opportunity to advocate for change, to rally support for your initiative/vision, and to be able to move people to action.
Imagine the impact you’d make in your organisation, in your field and beyond your realm.
Just imagine.
Conclusion
So ladies, whether you’re introverts or extroverts – ascertain what success means to you in your professional development. Whatever you decide, know that remaining in the shadows of obscurity to feel ‘safe’ will do nothing to help you achieve your professional goals.
Therefore, in addition to sharpening your skills in other areas, use public speaking to accelerate your advancement. Start something specific today: join Toastmasters Club, lead team meetings, volunteer to speak at events, and get people to record your speeches/presentations so that you can note areas to improve upon. Do these things consistently and watch how influential you’d become.
Future boss-ladies: stand tall, stand up and speak your way to success.
And now over to you:
Ladies – share your experiences of how public speaking has opened doors professionally.
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N.B – First image is courtesy of Gerd Altmann, via Pixabay. Second image is courtesy of Iosphere, via freedigitalphotos.net. Video is courtesy of Channels TV YouTube account. Last image is courtesy of Idea Go, via freedigitalphotos.net.