To have self-confidence is to see the potentialities, even when difficulties or complex challenges arise in the work environment. It’s about transmitting safety and setting an example to others.

Even with experience and knowledge, many professionals do not know how to have the self-confidence to speak in public when they need to present themselves before a more significant number of people and convey the right message.

The good news is that there are techniques to help improve the difficulty of communicating with ease in front of an audience. Self-confidence is essential and can help in the management and leadership roles.

In this article, we will talk about the importance of being self-confident to speak publicly and bring tips on developing this feature in everyday life. Read on and see how self-confidence can help in public speaking!

Being in front of many people, expressing their ideas can represent an absolute dread. Building confidence to speak in public is the goal of many professionals who aim to have good oratory skills. And overcoming this barrier, managing to expose oneself before an audience with security and tranquility, is possible.

What is Self-Confidence?

Self-confidence is the state of feeling courageous, secure as if we were naturally able to overcome any challenge; this means that self-confidence is directly linked to our achievements – personal and professional.

This feeling is so contagious that it stimulates us positively at various times, including when speaking in public. It causes the sense of fear and insecurity to be replaced by a fantastic feeling of empowerment!

When you feel self-confident, you convey this through non-verbal communication: safe body posture and tone of voice, firm gestures, and authentic facial expression. That is, of course, you become a better communicator.

In the book “The Power of Presence,” psychologist Amy Cuddy, a researcher, and professor at Harvard Business School, shows that enthusiasm with self-confidence is a valuable indicator of success.

Cuddy states that in studies done with entrepreneurs, the quality of self-confidence indicated a willingness to work hard, initiative, persistence in the face of obstacles, improved mental activity, creativity, and the ability to identify suitable opportunities and innovative ideas.

A person with a low level of self-confidence tends to feel much more anxious during stressful situations or in pressure environments, which hinders their performance.

Moments like public speaking are champions in provoking fear and undermining the self-confidence of those in front of the public.

8 Simple Ways to Work out some Self-Confidence to Speak in Public

We know that having self-confidence is not just about turning a key and being the most confident person on the planet the next day. So we’ve brought you some tips that can help you slowly develop a firmer posture and conviction every day.

1. Read it out loud

Reading out loud helps to develop various points that favor good oratory. When you read out loud, you work your breath during a speech, voice intonation, and diction. In addition, the habit of reading improves vocabulary, which favors confidence to speak in public.

The clearer the words are pronounced, the better the reception of the listener. Try to read out loud for at least 20 minutes a day and analyze your voice recording it or having someone as a critic.

2. Speak to a small audience

Invite family members or friends to practice oratory with them. Make your presentation the same way you rehearsed.

Look into the eyes of those present and position yourself with proper posture. In the end, ask them to point out positive aspects and points you can improve on.

3. Talk about what you know during Conversations

If you often feel insecure about social events, thinking you have nothing to contribute, there’s a simple trick to fixing this: talk about what you know.

Liz Balmford says that acting with truth is a tool for abandoning fears and thus lessening stress and anxiety before a presentation which helps establish self-confidence when public speaking.

Acting with the truth here means being honest in speech. Don’t lie if you don’t have a piece of specific information or data necessary, focus on what you know and own it. 

It also means expressing your genuine feelings about the subject and ideology.

When you care about what you’re doing, you lose the fear of being judged, and you focus on delivering a helpful message to people.

If you feel true in what you say, your goal is not simply to be seen as a good communicator but to captivate the people who are watching your talk.

Liz Balmford describes a good communicator as people who speak from the heart, whether about their own story or the message they intend to bring to others.

4. Surround yourself with positive people

Positive people are always in a good mood and prefer to see the glass half full. They believe that there is a solution to the worst problems and that to overcome challenges, it is crucial to count on the diversity of skills and abilities.

Be close to these people because they are undoubtedly essential references for how to have self-confidence and be able to speak in public without feeling uncomfortable.

In the professional environment, the healthier the group is, the easier it will be to work self-confidence.

5. Acknowledge your skills

Part of being confident is knowing who you are, what you are, and what you do well. Another part comes down to knowing what you don’t do so well.

Why is it important to do a professional self-evaluation and know what you do well and what you don’t do? Because of these reasons:

• You can improve: Knowing that you are not good at something gives you the insight to actively do something about it.
• You know what you’re capable of: That way, you can easily avoid situations that embarrass you.
• Knowing what you are good at: Finally, knowing your flaws makes it clear what you are good at. We can’t stand out at all, but it helps us see where we stand.
• So, although it may seem contradictory, to feel confident, you need to be open and know yourself well enough (strengths and weaknesses), and it frees us from the need to be perfectionists.

6. STOP the comparisons

Remember, you are your own unique being; that is all that can be expected of you. There is no reason why you should be compared with anyone else. So keep in mind:

• You haven’t walked the same path as the person you’re comparing yourself to.
• You haven’t had the same opportunities as the person you’re comparing yourself to.
• You don’t have the same set of tools as the person you’re comparing yourself to.
• And, newsflash… you don’t share the same DNA (even twins end up in different paths in life)

There will be times when you will be excellent and others when you will not do well. Life works like this: no one can be 100% Great in everything they do or want to do.

Let it go, and be the best you can be in each moment.

7. Set aside the expectations of others

A lot of our insecurity exists because we’re trying to achieve a pattern that someone invented.

Just like we said in the point above, no one knows what it’s like to be in your skin, and you don’t know what it’s like to be in other people’s skin. What other people expect of you is (mostly) irrelevant.

You know what you’re going through, what you’ve been through, and only you know what you’re capable of.

Free yourself from other people’s expectations, especially when they drag you down rather than uplift you. When you regain that power, you will realize that much of that malaise happens because you try to prove something to someone.

8. Take a public speaking class

Studying and practicing are the best ways to feel safe talking to anyone. With an oratory course, it will be possible to learn techniques that will increasingly develop the ability and security to express ideas before other people.

In a public speaking class, you will be prepared to face any fear you may have towards it and become a successful speaker. 

You will also learn about verbal and non-verbal communication, discovering ways to grab your audience’s attention, and eliminating blocks that prevent good speech.

Conclusion

What may seem difficult at first, with time, becomes natural. So it also happens with oratory. With every new opportunity to put into practice what is being trained, it gets better.

Confidence to speak in public will come with training and practice.

Reference and Further Reading

The Shy Person’s Guide to Public Speaking. FORGE

15 Ways to Boost Your Confidence Before a Big Presentation. Inc.

AcethePresentation. AmadeBai, Emidio. 14 Types of Speech and Easy Tips to Master Them.

AcethePresentation. AmadeBai, Emidio. What Makes A Bad Public Speaker? Top 10 Worst Traits To Avoid