An Introvert’s Guide to Public Speaking
By: Jill Emeny
Tags: Presenting, Presentations, Presentation Tips, Introvert, Public Speaking

How to grow confidence and increase your visibility at work

Photo by Product School on Unsplash

If you usually avoid public speaking, but wish you had the confidence not to, then you’re in the right place.

Seven years ago, I found myself in a new job, surrounded by confident people, who didn’t think twice about speaking up in meetings or presenting. At the time, I found both of these prospects seriously uncomfortable and so did everything I could to keep a low profile.

I realised soon enough that these avoidance tactics weren’t going to cut it if I wanted to be successful at my job.

The fact is, if you want to progress your career and be visible to your team and beyond, you need to be able to speak up and let your voice be heard.

I decided to face my fear of public speaking and as a result my confidence and career blossomed. In this article I’m going to share 3 simple steps to help you become an effective speaker.

Find your voice

It takes effort and grit to actually do this, but I promise you, it’s worth it.

My early career did nothing to help my confidence. Being in a junior position, most of my ideas were ignored. If I did try and speak in group situations — usually very quietly — in a few seconds, someone else would be talking over me.

Years later, I started a job at Google, joining a large global team. I noticed how naturally my colleagues shared opinions and talked through slides in meetings, even the ones I considered shy. It just seemed the norm. So, I decided to start speaking up more in ‘safe spaces’ like team meetings, and the more I did so, the easier it became.

Be honest with your manager about how you feel. At team meetings they can be your ally, making sure you have an opportunity to speak and share your thoughts and ideas.

I guarantee, the more you practice speaking up in a safe environment, the more your confidence will grow. The more visible you become to your peers, the more they’ll value your insights and will look to you for input during meetings.

Speak louder

You’ve found your voice, now you need to speak a little louder and more often.

It’s really important you feel empowered to express yourself, however intimidating it might be.

At Google, I was occasionally the sole content person in a room full of technical folks, which could be very intimidating. Before each meeting, I would remind myself that I was included in the project for a good reason — to share my expertise — and I was going to do just that.

It can also be tricky when you’re on a video call and the only person calling in remotely. It helps if everyone is mindful of this, but if they’re not, you need to be proactive and remind them you’re part of the meeting.

In my experience, the less you worry about what other people are going to think about your opinion or ideas, the more you’ll speak up. The more you speak up, the less significant and worrying it all becomes.

Put yourself forward to present at more meetings, and as your confidence grows, set your sights on bigger arenas, such as offsite events and seminars.

Step onto the podium

This could be a whole article to itself as there are so many tips on presenting, whether you are fearful of it or not.

At Google, I took advantage of the many presentation-focussed training courses available. After getting a grip of the basics, I progressed onto sessions on body language, how to prepare slides, and the art of storytelling.

The most important lesson I learned throughout all of these sessions, was that to be a good presenter, you must practice, practice and then practice some more.

The more you know your stuff, the easier it’ll be when you’re in the spotlight.

The first time I stepped up on stage in front of around 100 or so folks, was to do a talk on a personal subject I had chosen. I had ten minutes to tell everyone about my love of cephalopods.

I was incredibly nervous during the lead up to my spotlight moment, but once I stepped onto the stage and got into my stride, I actually started to enjoy myself up there.

It’s definitely easier to present something you really know about, but you don’t always have that luxury in a work environment, which is why practicing is even more important.

Also, it’s worth remembering that the people sat before you have intentionally gathered to listen to you speak, and they want you to be a success.

After you’ve done your first talk, get some honest feedback from your peers. If possible, ask someone to video you, so you can watch yourself back later. It can be helpful for checking your body language.

The first time I saw a video of myself, I noticed I was doing a kind of 80s sidestep dance! It was just nerves and I had no idea I was doing it at the time, but at least now I am aware of this habit.

Recap of the 3 steps

Your opinions and ideas are worth sharing, so get started by speaking up regularly in a safe space. Find opportunities to present and put yourself forward. This doesn’t have to be to a big audience, it could just be your trusted colleagues. The more you do it, the easier it becomes. Practice longer presentations over and over. It’s very important. Make sure you get feedback so you can keep improving.

To increase inclusivity during meetings and make sure you are making space for quieter voices — read Five Ways to Ensure a Successful Meeting.

Thank you for reading, I hope you found it useful.