Whether a management executive or a business owner, you’ll have to speak in front of groups. It’s inevitable.

From a small group of team members and employee meetings to big conferences, it’s common to stand before a group of people and talk to them no matter what career you choose.

Many people, no matter their level of sophistication, still feel a little nervous when they’re requested to present in front of a group. For some, it doesn’t matter if it’s just a meeting between 4 to 5 team members or a crowd of up to 500. The trepidation will still be there.

This anxiety is not uncommon. Even experts in public speaking, who have honed their discourse skills for years, report feeling little butterflies in the pit of their stomachs whenever they’re called upon to present to people. But they got used to it. How? You might ask.

Well, the fear we get when called upon to speak to people is usually a result of doubt in our ability to deliver. Even though civil discourse presents a chance for us to speak freely, those doubts still linger.

With consistent practice and time, you’ll feel more confident climbing up that stage to talk to the group of people that came for the conference or addressing co-workers during a team member meeting. Having a productive discussion with them will help if you understand the importance of civil discourse and how it allows you to express your ideas.

Getting better at speaking in front of crowds requires practice and learning. To hone your public speaking skills, there are a lot of professional development resources that can help you improve. Therein lies the secret of how expert public speakers got so good at speaking in front of crowds.

Civil discourse or speaking is not just for executive managers or owners of businesses; there might be moments when one is called upon to teach a class, give an acceptance interview or speak during an interview. So, it makes sense for one to improve their discourse skill using professional development resources. 

Your fear of speaking can be remedied by focusing on improving your discourse skills and public speaking abilities. But how do you find these resources? 

TED Talks

TED’s catchphrase, ‘ideas worth spreading, ‘ is a common slogan.

Surely, you’re familiar with it? Its popularity has grown so much over the years that many cities in various parts of the world now host local TED events . By attending TED events or watching TEDTalk videos, you can improve your public speaking and civil discourse skills.

Coursera

Coursera is a haven of free courses, and development resources and public speaking courses are not left out. Interestingly, you get a certificate after a number of their courses.

There are courses on the sites that teach you the fundamentals of public speaking, from speech preparation to impromptu speeches. Fortunately, anyone can use this resource anytime to improve their discourse skills.

Networking events

Networking events require you to describe yourself briefly and what you do. In networking events, you’re with like-minded people curious to know about you and listen to your pitch. Many speakers find it easier to talk about something they’re passionate about and well versed in.

Networking events allow you to overcome stage fright and public speaking anxiety. It is also an inexpensive way of practicing your public speaking abilities. It is known that the more a speaker practices, the better they’ll be at public speaking.

Self-evaluation

Another great and inexpensive way to develop your presentation skills is to get a friend to record you on camera before a mock audience. Better still, you can record yourself while you practice speaking to an audience.

This way, you can hear how your voice sounds, how you gesture, the kind of expressions you make, what your body language says, and so much more.

Like in every other thing, constant practice will make you improve.

Final Thoughts

The internet is overwhelmed with many resources that can help you improve your discourse skills and be a better public speaker. Find these resources, and make the best use of them. Remember, the key to perfecting your discourse skills is constant practice. So, don’t forget to practice your civil discourse at any chance you have. 

This is a Sponsored Post – the author has requested this post be shared on WE magazine for Women and WE were compensated for sharing.