by Coach Edith - March 18, 2025
When most people hear “public speaking,” they picture a podium, a spotlight, and an audience of strangers. This image is outdated.
In today’s professional world, public speaking isn’t about performance. It’s about clarity. It’s about leadership. And it’s about showing up with presence and purpose in any situation where your voice needs to move people.
That includes:
- Presenting your ideas in meetings
- Explaining your service to a client
- Hosting a webinar or teaching a class
- Advocating for your value in an interview
- Even recording a voice note or an audio proposal
If people can’t hear you, follow you, or feel your message—you lose influence, regardless of how strong your ideas are.
But I’m Not a Confident Speaker
Confidence isn’t a personality trait. It’s a skill.
The more you prepare with intent and structure, the more confident you’ll sound—even if your heart is racing. That’s why every skill stack needs a speaking component.
Because your voice is the delivery system for your ideas. And delivery is what makes strategy land.
Frame it like this: If writing is the engine that propels the aircraft, speaking is the pilot that lands it. Without the engine, the plane can't take off. Without the pilot, the plane can't land.
When you stack both speaking and writing, you give yourself a strategic upgrade from invisible to visible, and your value becomes immediately in-demand.
But Here’s What Public Speaking Gives You (That Writing Alone Can’t)
- Immediacy — People feel your tone and presence in real time
- Leadership — A strong voice helps you guide people toward a decision
- Adaptability — When speaking, you learn to read the moment and pivot, if need be
- Authority — When you speak with structure, people see you as the expert—even before you finish the sentence.
- Wisdom — When you speak from your stack, you become walking wisdom in the domain of your stack.
You’re not just giving information. You’re giving education. Because you embody it.
But I Don’t Want to Be on Stage
That’s fine.
You don’t need to be on stage. You need to be heard.
If you’re:
- Coaching
- Teaching
- Managing teams
- Pitching clients
- Creating online content
- Advocating for community initiatives
…then public speaking is already happening. The question is whether you’ve trained your speaking like you’ve trained your other skills.
What Public Speaking as a Skill Stack Actually Looks Like
- Structure your thoughts — Learn how to organize your message before opening your mouth
- Use vocal tools — Vary your speed, tone, and volume to create engagement
- Practice clarity, not perfection — Aim to be understood, not impressive
- Invite response — Good speakers create space for others to reflect, react, and respond
These are coachable. Practicing them builds presence. And presence creates trust.
📘 Want help building your confidence and message flow?
Read the ebook: We All Need Public Speaking Skills
It’s about making your speak carry the weight of your value—especially when your words are all you’ve got.
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