The Need To Be Heard

The Need To Be Heard

The skill of public speaking has proven to be essential for many people coming from different lifestyles. As much as many people try to shy away from the spotlight, this skill will always come in useful for nearly everyone. More often than not, each person is called to express something in front of more than just one person.

Public speaking is not just a method of torture induced by teachers all over the world. Teachers knew the importance of this skill. Consider it lucky if one was constantly called on in class to recite. As one may have noticed, reviewing before every class became essential just so that words were easy to come by during class recitation. This shows, that first of all, speaking in public encourages you to be a critical thinker - to know what to say and how to say it. No person would enjoy listening to someone who constantly stutters or forgets what he wants to say entirely.

If one tends to speak too much, the skill of public speaking manages to tame the beast of verbosity as well. If this skill is learned in the real world and not first in a class like some people, one will notice that style and length will matter as much as the substance one's words contain.

Public speaking also enables one to gain confidence, a much-needed trait in this world of cutthroat competition. These days every person is going to need to know how to market himself. Nobody is going to notice a person who lurks in the shadows. Nobody is going to want to waste time trying to coax somebody out of his shell -- it's much too time-consuming and there are other people out there who are willing to do much more for much less. The practice of speaking in public will grab attention. Also, one learns to dismiss and get over embarrassing situations pretty quickly this way.

Although public speaking is usually a one-sided conversation, the public speaker also gets an opportunity to learn about his audience -- people's body language will also tell you something. Not only that, self-expression will invite others to express their own opinions as well. If public speaking is done well, it would serve a diplomatic purpose, and who doesn't want things to end amicably?

This is why many employers hold the skill of public speaking at a prime. These people recognize the need to express oneself adequately; to be able to speak so that the right people will listen. They also know the importance of being able to sell oneself. A good public speaker is able to hold many listeners captive and possibly sway their opinion about a certain matter.

Ultimately, the skill in public speaking gives a person the ability to inspire change in the community just like many noted speakers such as Martin Luther King and John F. Kennedy, Jr. Their words still resonate in our ears today and their conviction no doubt still accompanies their powerful words. Because of their words, and of course their manner in delivery, thousands have been inspired to follow and uphold their beliefs. That is the ultimate goal of public speaking - to inspire others to do the greater good. But an ability to speak well in public can also persuade others to do otherwise. How could Hitler have persuaded so many Germans to participate in his anti-semitic actions?

Public speaking is a skill to be had. Undoubtedly, excellence in this area will get one far. In addition, it is a responsibility to be directed towards the greater good of the home, community, and nation.