A survey by LinkedIn found that public speaking and communication skills were among the top soft skills valued by employers. 94% of respondents said they would consider hiring someone with strong communication skills over someone with more experience but weaker communication skills.
With the rise of remote and hybrid work models, it’s more important than ever for your staff to have excellent public speaking skills to facilitate effective communication, foster engagement and connection, drive collaboration and build trust during in-person and virtual meetings, webinars, and presentations.
Take the following steps:
- Offer Public Speaking Training: Provide opportunities for team members to participate in public speaking training workshops, webinars, or courses. This training should focus on techniques for effective virtual and in-person communication, engaging presentations, and building confidence in public speaking.
- Practice Virtual Presentations: Encourage team members to practice virtual presentations regularly. Provide feedback and coaching on aspects such as clarity, engagement, visual aids, and interaction with the audience to help them improve their virtual public speaking skills.
- Provide Virtual Communication Tools: Ensure that your team has access to virtual communication tools that support effective public speaking, such as video conferencing software, presentation tools, and collaboration platforms. Train team members on how to use these tools efficiently.
- Create Opportunities for Practice: Create internal opportunities for team members to practice their public speaking skills, such as team meetings, project updates, and cross-functional presentations. Provide a safe and supportive environment for them to gain experience and receive feedback.
- Lead by Example: As a leader, demonstrate effective public speaking skills in your communications and presentations. Showcasing best practices, such as clear articulation, engaging delivery, and interactive elements, can inspire and guide team members to improve their skills.
- Encourage Continuous Learning: Foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement in public speaking skills. Encourage team members to seek feedback, attend training sessions, and share best practices and learnings to enhance their communication abilities.
By taking these proactive steps, leaders can help ensure that their team members have the public speaking skills needed to effectively engage and connect with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders both in-person and in remote and hybrid work models, ultimately driving success and collaboration within the organization.
Training in public speaking can set individuals apart in the workforce by boosting their communication prowess, leadership abilities, networking opportunities, confidence, and adaptability. These qualities make them highly competitive and sought-after professionals in today’s dynamic and fast-paced business world.
Meet the Expert: TROY CE&O offers one-day and week-long Presentation Skills courses. Contact us today to help your team reach the next level.
Laura Chambliss, Director of TROY Continuing Education and Outreach
