Balanced Black Girl: [Solo] How to Become A Better Public Speaker

Release Date: September 24, 2024
Host: Les of Balanced Black Girl
Description: In this solo episode, Les delves deep into the art of public speaking, sharing her personal journey, overcoming fears, and offering actionable strategies to help listeners become more confident and effective speakers.

1. Introduction to Public Speaking

Les opens the episode by acknowledging the common fear surrounding public speaking, noting its prevalence and the significant impact it can have on personal and professional growth.

"Public speaking is ranked up there, one of the top things that people are afraid of. I think I've seen somewhere that a good amount of people are more afraid of public speaking than they are of death."
— Les [04:50]

2. Personal Journey with Public Speaking

Les shares her transformative journey from a timid child to a confident public speaker. She recounts her first daunting experience in sixth grade, where an unprepared presentation left her feeling embarrassed and fearful.

"I froze because I was like, oh, no, this is wrong. And now I have to say out loud that this is wrong."
— Les [09:15]

Participating in summer teen musicals and theater during middle school played a pivotal role in building her confidence. These experiences provided her with a safe space to practice speaking and performing in front of others.

"Doing theater for those summers was a really, really formative experience for me because it got me used to being in front of people and becoming more comfortable being in front of people in ways that I was not when I was younger."
— Les [12:30]

3. Transition to Professional Speaking

After college, Les transitioned into roles that required her to facilitate meetings and present data to executives, further honing her public speaking skills. Her involvement in fitness classes and teaching nutrition to fourth graders also contributed to her ability to engage and communicate effectively with diverse audiences.

"Teaching fitness classes taught me a lot about public speaking and how to hype up a crowd and keep people excited."
— Les [25:20]

4. Overcoming the Fear of Being Seen and Heard

Les delves into the psychological aspects of public speaking, discussing her fear of being made fun of and how she worked to dismantle that fear. She emphasizes the importance of feeling prepared and taking control of the conversation.

"When we're afraid of being in front of people, it's because we're giving control to the audience. We think that the audience is in charge, but you as the speaker are in charge."
— Les [30:10]

5. Strategies for Becoming a Better Public Speaker

a. Preparation and Practice

Les underscores the critical role of preparation in building confidence. She shares her routine of scripting and rehearsing her podcast episodes to ensure clarity and coherence.

"Preparation is what helps ease some of those worries. When you rehearse what you're going to say, it builds so much more confidence."
— Les [35:45]

b. Formal Training and Classes

She recommends enrolling in public speaking or improv classes as a structured way to develop speaking skills. Organizations like Toastmasters are highlighted as excellent platforms for continuous improvement.

"Toastmasters has been around forever... that's another really great safe space for you to be able to practice public speaking."
— Les [39:00]

c. Informal Practice Opportunities

Les encourages listeners to seek out everyday opportunities to speak, whether it's leading a meeting at work, facilitating a game night, or speaking at church. These small steps can significantly build confidence over time.

"Finding small ways to public speak wherever you are... will get you feeling a lot more comfortable presenting to people."
— Les [41:10]

d. Studying Effective Speakers

She advises studying speeches and presentations by renowned speakers like Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Barack Obama to understand effective delivery techniques, such as pacing, tone, and the use of pauses.

"Study these people who are great speakers... learn those strategies and then start practicing."
— Les [43:25]

e. Creating a Private Practice Space

Les suggests creating a private podcast or recording yourself to practice speaking without the pressure of an audience. This method allows for self-review and gradual improvement.

"You can create little private podcasts where you just share with your friends and ask for feedback."
— Les [45:30]

6. Embracing Control and Confidence

A recurring theme in Les's discussion is the empowerment that comes from taking control of the speaking environment. By controlling the message and pacing, speakers can navigate conversations more effectively and reduce anxiety.

"Find power in being in control of the conversation. You control the pace, the message, and where the audience goes."
— Les [50:00]

7. Encouragement and Final Thoughts

Les concludes the episode with an encouraging message, assuring listeners that with dedication and practice, anyone can overcome their fear of public speaking. She invites listeners to share their own journeys and strategies, fostering a community of support.

"Your voice has value. What you have to say matters. You can deliver something in a way that no one else can."
— Les [54:20]

Key Takeaways:

• Preparation is Paramount: Thorough preparation builds confidence and reduces anxiety.
• Seek Out Practice Opportunities: Whether formal or informal, consistent practice is essential.
• Study and Emulate Effective Speakers: Learning from the best can enhance your own speaking style.
• Take Control of the Narrative: As the speaker, you guide the conversation and manage audience engagement.
• Embrace Continuous Improvement: Public speaking is a skill that can always be refined and perfected.

Les's heartfelt and comprehensive exploration of public speaking serves as a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their communication skills. By blending personal anecdotes with practical advice, she provides a roadmap for transforming fear into confidence and becoming an impactful speaker.