Communicating with confidence and impact is not just for the extroverts: it is attainable for all of us! Corporate Public Speaking training allows even to most introvert to master effective communication behaviors and own the stage.
The Commander In Chief
Being commander-in-chief seems like an introvert’s worst nightmare. The media has criticized President Obama for his aloof personality; however, he leveraged the introvert’s natural capacity for thoughtful communication. Introspection and introversion have advantages that extroversion can’t compete with.
As columnist David Brooks of the NEW YORK TIMES puts it, “Being led by Barack Obama is like being trumpeted into battle by Miles Davis. He makes you want to sit down and discern”.
If I was to put Bill Gates and Ruth Bader Ginsburg forward: do agree that they both have a leadership presence? As noted introverts, can they project leadership presence and excel at public speaking? Is it possible to be impactful and successful as communicators and leaders?
Your Authentic Self
I believe leadership presence, or as it is also called executive presence, to mean: communicating your authentic self by not changing your personality, but by developing essential behavioral and physical skills to project the leadership presence you desire. If you describe yourself as an introvert, practical communication skills can be developed and employed when they are needed. By putting the newly acquired skills to use, they become communication behaviors, and your authentic self will shine through while being an impactful communicator.
Public speaking training for executives almost always includes developing physical skills such as balance, strategic movement, gestures, and vocal variety to keep the executive centered, project a confident persona, and connect with their audience. If you’re an introvert who wants to develop your leadership presence, I want you to know that raising your voice or “faking it till you make it” is not the solution. By incorporating the above mentioned physical skills into your speaking, you can make a strong impression while remaining true to who you are. Being your authentic self is how you build trust and credibility and promote psychological safety within your workplace. As a leader, the decisions you make and your communication, as well as your body language impact a large and diverse community. Remember that perception is reality, and you need to be congruent with your presentation.
Confident Messages
And here is even better news: Companies with introverted CEOs routinely outperform those of extroverted leaders, according to a study conducted by Harvard, Stanford, and the University of Chicago and published by the National Bureau of Economic Research.
My goal is to develop a client’s presence to connect with and inspire others. This type of executive presence does not come from perfect, robotic gestures and words or being the most outgoing person in the room; it forms intentionality using new communication behaviors, fostering individual connections, and supporting credibility.
Public speaking and leadership presence are not mutually exclusive. Our purpose as communicators is to communicate our message to motivate and compel others to do what we want. Think of it this way, you “public speak” all day every day: meetings, phone calls, networking, prodding feedback, collaborating…this list goes on and on. As the business environment shifts along with the people who shape it, it’s never been more essential for employees and their leaders to confidently convey their message with authority and impact. Whether in a virtual setting, company town hall, or in front of 500 of your colleagues, what you say and how you say it matters to those listening, so make sure your presence and the content are congruent and support you as a leader.
Corporate Public Speaking Training
Specifically tailored for each client and based on skills and needs, we customize each public speaking program at Clarity Speech Coaching. Typically, the first session starts with assessing strengths and establishes the priority areas for the rest of the coaching sessions. The subsequent sessions are a deep-dive to improve the most critical gaps from voicing, diction, breathing patterns, delivery, messaging, storytelling, and overall comfort level when communicating. Rehearsal and feedback happen continuously throughout the sessions to make sure you shine during your big moments.
What is your communication style costing you?
Contact [email protected] to drive your professional success through the mastery of corporate public speaking skills.