How Public Speaking Skills Can Help You Get Ahead in a Tough Economy

Public speaking is one of the top fears cited by many people in surveys - in fact, some surveys find people are more afraid of public speaking than of death! And yet public speaking and other communication skills are also assets employers value highly. In a tough economy, improving your public speaking skills may give you an edge in keeping your job or finding a new one.

In this interview, Andrea Flowers, a college instructor in Tuscaloosa, Ala., discusses her interest in public speaking. In addition to teaching communications, Flowers practices what she preaches; she has been interviewed for a local media segment about her fitness and weight-loss journey and has posted videos of her fitness routines and skydiving adventure to the Web. Here, Flowers will give some perspective on the common public speaking mistakes people make and how communication skills can help you get ahead.

Question: How did you get into teaching speech at the college level and how long have you been doing it? What's your class like in terms of format, assignments, etc.?

Answer: I have always been interested in communication. I always remember being very observant of other people's mannerisms and actions when I was young. I was just fascinated about rule following and how people learned behaviors (and I would always ask questions of my peers about their family life). I also was very active in speech and drama when I was in high school - and really, throughout most of my early education, even competing in speech contests in elementary school. So, when I got to college, it really was a no-brainer that I would enter into the speech/communication field. I knew that I wanted to in the education field, so it just kind of clicked that I should teach communication and public speaking at the college level.

How I approach public speaking depends strictly on the class - either an "overview" of communication course or a strictly public speaking course. My basic public speaking course entails two major speeches (an informative speech and a persuasive speech) and quite a few smaller speaking assignments. I like to spend a lot of time teaching my students the elements of effective public speaking before they actually do the speeches. Other approaches (which can be just as effective) include basically throwing the students in feet first and getting them started with speeches right away. Since I have a little more time throughout the semester, I like to lessen the anxiety by spending more time preparing for speeches rather than starting them immediately in the semester.

But, I believe preparation is essential, so I like to give them as much preparation time as possible.

Q: What's the most nervous you've been about speaking in public? Do you generally think it's fun or nerve-wracking or both?

A: I know that one of my favorite quotes about public speaking is from Edward R. Murrow: "The best speakers know enough to be scared. Stage fright is the sweat of perfection. The only difference between the pros and the novices is that the pros have trained the butterflies to fly in formation." And I really feel that. If you're not at least a little anxious, then I don't think you've effectively grasped public speaking. There should always be a little case of nerves. They give you adrenaline and keep you going.

I enjoy public speaking, but I always have enjoyed public speaking - which makes me not part of the norm, clearly. I love listening to my students' speeches. I always learn a lot and I like to see how much they improve throughout the semester.

Q: Have you found public speaking skills have come in handy in your life? If so, how?

A: I think in general, it has helped me be more confident in every day interactions. Since I'm teaching public speaking throughout the entire year, it gives me the opportunity to hone my own skills and keep those skills fresh and right on the surface. I have learned that the basic structure of a speech can be handy in everyday business interaction - grabbing their attention, telling them why they're going to benefit, telling them why they should listen to you, and then tell them what you're going to discuss that day. People seem to absorb information best in that order.

Q: I know you post videos of yourself and have been interviewed for the media, and I wonder if the things you teach your students come back to you when you're talking?

A: So many times our anxiety gets the best of us and we just want to fill that awkward silence. So, I try to really take time to think about what I am going to say before I say it. It's difficult to do, but I feel that I sound a lot more confident when I take a moment and pause than if I'm just babbling and trying to fill a void. So, if I'm getting interviewed, I try to pause, take a deep breath, and then fully and confidently answer the questions.

I try to teach my students to get rid of the need to fill awkward pauses. Make them intentional and take a moment to prepare before you speak. You are in command. I try to take that lesson with me in my own life.

And, of course, have fun! Nobody wants to listen to a boring, unenthusiastic speaker. So, I try to be fun and enthusiastic!

Q: What are two or three of the biggest mistakes public speakers make?

A: Lack of preparation is definitely number one in my opinion. You never want to practice your speech to the point that it's completely memorized, but you also don't want to be off the cuff either (that can sometimes work, but usually not in everyday public speaking). This carries over to everyday life as well. When you're not prepared, your anxiety increases, and it will show. When your life is in chaos, you're not effective in life.

So, I really stress to my students to prepare for their speeches. It is obvious which students have not practiced. When you have practiced your speech, you know your material, can think in an impromptu manner if needed, and simply are more confident - and it shows.

Another big mistake I see with public speakers is excessive reliance on note cards. When your entire speech is written out verbatim, you end up reading it verbatim. If you've practiced your speech enough, you should only need key words to keep you in line. And if you're reading your speech, then you're not making effective eye contact with your audience, and therefore, you're not connecting with your audience to create mutual understanding.

Q: Can you give a few examples of people you think are good public speakers, and why?

A: Well, recently, I have to say that Professor Randy Pausch really comes to mind. His "The Last Lecture" speech was really special and unique. I love that his speech has been viewed millions of times on YouTube. I loved his enthusiasm and delivery. And I try to stress that importance to my students. There's a good chance that with any given speech you give you may not be interested in (the topic)...but, you have to be enthusiastic about what you're communicating, even if you do not feel enthusiastic. Because if you're not enthusiastic about your speech, then why should your audience be enthusiastic? It's the whole "fake it until you make it" mentality.

But, Professor Pausch was really genuinely enthusiastic, and I think that came out in his delivery.

Q: Could you comment on how you thinking having good public speaking and presentation skills could help someone with job hunting, even in a bad economy.

A: It goes back to preparation. When you're prepared, you're confident. And you want to express yourself confidently in your business interviews.

I give this bit of information to my students on the first day of class:

"Job Outlook 2001, an Internet publication of the National Association of Colleges and Employers, states that the 21st Century workplace "increasingly requires employees to work in teams (and) interact effectively with co-workers and customers."

They identified the following communication skills among the Top 10 qualities that employers look for in hiring new employees:

#1 Communication skills (verbal and written)

#2 Honesty/integrity

#3 Teamwork skills (works well with others)

#4 Interpersonal skills (relates well to others)
(Source: Job Outlook 2001, "The Perfect Candidate.")

So, basically, employers are looking for effective communicators first and foremost. And if you have not done extensive preparation and research for your job interview, you're going to look like you cannot communicate. You want to practice answering questions...and most importantly, practice those questions and answers with an actual human being. We don't interview with a mirror. We interview with another person. It's important to get face-to-face human feedback, particularly with someone who is going to be honest about how you're speaking and doing. So, no, you won't want to use grandma who will praise you excessively.

Know your company. Know your strengths. Know your weaknesses. And be able to clearly and effectively communicate your knowledge on the day of the interview.