Confidence
Photo by Husna Miskandar on Unsplash
What makes us confident? How do we get it? Can we cultivate and nurture it? Imposter syndrome, anxiety, nerves, or a general lack of confidence can hold you back from speaking well or speaking up and being heard.
I manage drama workshops through Finding Voices with the premise of improving speaking confidence in children. But why should adults build theirs?
How confidence improves communication
Increased credibility: Confidence projects an air of authority, which can increase the audience's trust and credibility in the speaker. People are more likely to believe and act upon what a confident speaker says.
Enhanced delivery: A confident speaker is more likely to deliver their message in a clear and concise manner. They're able to articulate their ideas better, which can help the audience understand and engage with their message.
Improved audience engagement: A confident speaker can connect better with the audience, making them more receptive to the message being conveyed. This can lead to increased participation and engagement from the audience.
Speaking Confidence = An Improved Workplace Culture
If you run a team then improving confidence should be a high priority. The desire to speak up can have a positive impact on workplace culture and overall performance.
It encourages open communication: leading to better collaboration, increased innovation, and more effective problem-solving.
It promotes creativity and innovation: sharing unique perspectives and ideas.
It builds stronger relationships.
It increases productivity: reducing misunderstandings, miscommunication, and conflict.
It boosts employee engagement
Build Your Confidence
What can you do to improve your confidence and speaking skills?
Book my small group public speaking workshop on Friday 12th May.
Book my 4-week online public speaking programme for 2 hrs a week, starting in May.
Get in touch (jude@speakingworks.co.uk) to speak to me about group training.
Further Reading:
Building a culture of courage from Margie Warrell in a recent Forbes article.
"The Confidence Gap" by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman. Even 9 years ago this article explores the confidence gap between men and women in the workplace. It explains how women are often less confident than men, even when they are equally qualified and competent. The article also discusses the impact of this confidence gap on women's careers and provides some strategies for building confidence.
Out of confidence comes Power and Influence. Read a few notes from Deborah Gruenfeld (Stanford Graduate School of Business professor of organizational behaviour) here on how to embrace this.