communication/public speaking skills

[pharm1234]

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Good commuication/public speaking skills seems to be important to one's success no matter what career you choose. What is the best way to improve your communication/public speaking skills? Seems like just doing it is perhaps the best way to get better and get over any fears. What are some small groups/clubs/organizations that can be joined to improve communication skills? Anyone part of any group that you find helpful?

 

[hermit]

join a local toastmasters.

 

[cfdavid]

Speaking to a group can be an anxiety provoking event. If you find that your "symptoms" of an overactive sympathetic response are hindering your performance, you should consider using an appropriate dose of a beta blocking agent such as atenolol or Inderal. You may find that without the physical symptoms of "nervousness", you may actually enjoy speaking in public, and that it's not really a "fear" at all.

Do some multiple source research on this matter. Apparently, this method is common amongst professional musicians that have a large concert/orchestra to play in. It stops any tremor they may be experiencing.

 

[Law2Doc]

join a local toastmasters.

Agree. There are also Dale Carnegie and other public speaking courses some companies send their employees to that the public can enroll in. Or you can find other ways to put yourself into the limelight -- local theatre etc. Assuming it's not a beta blocker issue as described below, the best way to improve your confidence in front of people is probably to just force yourself to do more of it.

 

[susan_williams]

What helped me before was that I read aloud a lot to my sisters. and sometimes having my siblings as my audience was more difficult for me to face than strangers. That really helped.

 

[ocean09]

.

 

[relentless11]

I agree that practice makes perfect. Just working in a job where you meet people will do wonders. I was lucky (or unlucky) enough to work as a sales person for several years as an undergrad. But I have to say that the biggest help came when I mentored/taught my undergrads, and did research talks at our med school. There is no better test of your communication skills than teaching in general.

I've been doing this for 6 years now, and have improved a lot, but still no where close to our physicians, professors, let alone my PI. But something to strive for🙂.

Since this is the non-trad forums, I assume that most of us have at least a bachelor's degree. So I encourage anyone who is interested to teach too. Doesn't have to be at a school....but of course don't limit yourself to teaching🙂. Plenty of options out there. 👍

 

[kia ora]

Good commuication/public speaking skills seems to be important to one's success no matter what career you choose. What is the best way to improve your communication/public speaking skills? Seems like just doing it is perhaps the best way to get better and get over any fears. What are some small groups/clubs/organizations that can be joined to improve communication skills? Anyone part of any group that you find helpful?

go to law school...become a trial attorney. ok, that's an extreme measure. I don't have any practical suggestions beyond those that others already have made. one thing you might do, however, is change your mindset wrt public speaking. instead of thinking, "oh no, everyone is looking at me, my mind is freezing, what do I say?", think, "cool - everyone is looking at me. they have to listen to everything I am about to say." and if you are confident about that of which you are speaking, it makes things a lot easier.

I like public speaking. I like it when people listen to what I have to say (I sound like an egomaniac...believe me, if you met me you'd realize that I am not). I've done dozens of jury trials and it is too much fun to have a captive audience like that...