Public speaking skills at work:
Having your voice heard at work whether during meetings or when delivering presentations is important if you want to enhance your value in your organisation.

The truth is, in today’s fast-paced professional landscape, the ability to stand up and deliver informative and engaging presentations, and contribute meaningfully in meetings is a crucial, sought-after skill.

However, a lot of people will shy away from public speaking opportunities at work because they lack confidence, and/or are held back by not knowing how to prepare, or what the correct approach is for certain situations.

Whether you are presenting to a team, or leading / speaking up in a meeting, developing effective communication and public speaking skills at work are the keys to your success.

With the purpose of empowering you to feel confident and prepared in such professional situations, here is my guide on how to deliver impactful presentations and excel in meetings in the workplace:

Understand Your Audience’s Needs

This is the first step to a successful presentation or meeting, and developing your public speaking skills at work.

Consider the roles, interests, and expectations of your colleagues.

Who will you be speaking to?

How can you tailor your content to resonate with their needs and concerns?

This approach not only captures attention but also establishes relevance.

People won’t have to wonder why they’re there and what the purpose of the meeting or your presentation is.

Having an understanding of what your audience’s needs are will also help you to feel more confident going into these situations.

Clarify Your Objectives

Before diving into your presentation or contributing to a meeting, define clear objectives.

Ask yourself: What do you want to achieve?

Whether it’s conveying information, seeking input, or a decision, having a goal in mind helps structure your communication and keeps the discussion focused.

Your colleagues will also appreciate that you are taking control and keeping everyone on track.

There’s nothing worse than leaving a meeting feeling like it was a waste of time, but if you are able to keep things structured this way then everyone will feel positive and like it was productive time well-spent.

Weave in a Narrative

People remember stories more so than facts.

If you’ve got a presentation coming up or there’s a particular message you want to articulate, then be creative with it.

You could begin with a strong opening that grabs attention, followed by a clear storyline, and conclude with a memorable closing.

Even if you just use a metaphor or a simile to drive a point.

You will not only keep your audience engaged but also facilitate better understanding and retention.

Emphasise Key Points and Takeaways

Identify the core messages and takeaways you want to convey and emphasise them throughout your presentation or contribution.

Consistency in messaging reinforces key points, making it easier for your audience to grasp and remember the essential information.

Use Visual Aids

Visual aids, such as slides or charts, can enhance your message.

Keep visuals simple, uncluttered, and directly related to your key points.

Use graphics to illustrate complex ideas and keep text to a minimum.

Visuals should complement and enhance your spoken words, not replace them.

Be Engaging

One of the most nerve-inducing things about presentations is we assume that it will just be us talking while everyone else is silent.

This doesn’t have to be the case.

In fact, you should encourage active participation to keep your audience engaged.

Ask questions, seek input, or incorporate interactive elements.

Engaging your colleagues creates a dynamic atmosphere and fosters a sense of collaboration.

Practice

Improve your public speaking skills at work by doing dry-runs!

Practice is essential for a polished presentation and even an impactful, considered meeting contribution.

Rehearse your delivery to ensure a smooth flow.

Practice in front of a mirror, record yourself or seek feedback from a colleague.

Familiarity with your content builds confidence and reduces nervousness.

I love Speeko! which is a genius app on your phone that can give you instant feedback when you’re practising.

Be Mindful of Time

Respect your audience’s time by adhering to the allotted timeframe.

If presenting, rehearse to ensure your content fits within the designated time.

If contributing to a meeting, be concise and focused.

Respectful time management demonstrates professionalism and consideration for your colleagues.

Handle Q&A Well

Prepare for potential questions and be ready to address them calmly and collectedly with grace and confidence.

Demonstrate professionalism in these situations by not being defensive with your answers.

Be fair, diplomatic, and pragmatic.

Also, if you don’t have an immediate answer, that’s okay.

You can acknowledge the question and commit to providing follow-up information.

Handling questions in this way demonstrates expertise and transparency.

Actively Listen

Active listening is as important as effective speaking.

Pay attention to others’ contributions, nod in agreement, and ask follow-up questions.

Demonstrating active listening fosters a collaborative environment and contributes to constructive discussions and outcomes.

Ask For and Provide Constructive Feedback

After your presentation or meeting, seek feedback from colleagues to identify areas for improvement.

Ask them what they think you did well, as this will help to build confidence.

Additionally, be open to providing constructive feedback to others.

Follow Up with Colleagues

After your presentation or meeting, follow up with any promised information, summaries, or action items promptly.

Timely follow up reinforces your commitment to the discussion and helps maintain momentum.

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I hope this guide will help you to improve your public speaking skills at work and, in turn, contribute to your professional success.

Applying the methods stated above should help you to feel more prepared and less intimidated in these work-related situations.

If you need some help with virtual work presentation then click here.

I hope you have found this guide useful.

Thank you for reading!

Tilly x