Are Piano lessons worth it? Are Baseball lessons worth it? Are Math and Reading lessons worth it? Are Martial Arts lessons worth it? The answer is a resounding YES! Why is the answer YES? I’m glad you asked!
- Public Speaking is relevant
- Public Speaking is required
- Public Speaking is rewarding
Growing up in the 70’s and 80’s we didn’t have smart phones. As a matter of fact, we only had one phone line in the house for the entire family to use. Once we got home (before the streetlights came on) we spent a lot of time at the dinner table or on the couch talking as a family. Also, during those times we were strongly encouraged (forced) to give Easter & Christmas speeches at church. Without realizing it, these activities taught, honed, and prepared us for oral communication – also known as public speaking.
With the increased popularity and necessity of smart phones, computers, streaming services and busy schedules, those talking settings or opportunities have been on constant decline. Public Speaking is not just for the wonderful, talented people who have made a career out of it, it is for everybody who has the ability to do it. Just like other disciplines, there are some who are natural at it and others who are not, but in either case, it is a skill that can be improved. Below are three reasons why public speaking classes are worth it.
3 Reasons Why Public Speaking Classes are Worth It
1. Public speaking is relevant – Studyfinds.org conducted a survey of millennials and Gen Z’s that indicated 73% prefer to communicate via text. Pew Research Center indicates 85% of American’s own a smart phone. Put those two together, we have found a way to remove the need to verbally communicate…or have we? While the frequency of communication has increased, the perceived need to verbally communicate has decreased tremendously. How many times have we been in various places around town and witnessed a table or an area of people with their heads down looking at their phone? The ability to speak publicly is still an integral part of human interaction. How many times has a text message, instant message, or email been misunderstood? The use of your voice, your tone, your body language can’t be delivered by emoji’s and text messages. There is nothing that compares to the ability and the effectiveness of delivering a message verbally.
2. Public Speaking is required – Even with the increased convenience of online accessibility, being able to verbally articulate your thesis, your class assignment, your board report, your answers while interviewing for a job, your wishes when talking with a college recruiter, your business at a networking event, etc. all makes public speaking a necessity. You can go to Google for research, you can even have all of the bells and whistles for your presentation, but if the requirement is for you to deliver verbally, that’s what you have to do. The speech could be in front of one or many; it can be in person or online, but it is a must for YOU to verbally deliver it. Board members, instructors, bosses all want to hear from YOU. There is nobody that looks, sounds, or emotes like YOU. Each individual has not only their own set of finger prints, but each also has their own cadence, personality, and style when speaking; which is one of the reasons it is a requirement.
3. Public Speaking is rewarding – Glossophobia (fear of public speaking) is real. According to research, public speaking is one of the top 10 fears people have. I am going to share a secret with you, your audience wants you to succeed. We have talked to clients who have real fears that can cause sweat, tears, hand trembles, heart flutters, stomach aches, etc., but the reward comes when we are able to take all of those negative responses, process them, and execute our public speech no matter if it’s a presentation, a report, or casual conversation. One recent client indicated how elated she was after delivering her Capstone project as the final step in completing her Master’s Degree. The tears of joy outweighed the tears of fear. The confidence from that delivery has allowed her to do more public speaking and even elevate her career….Talk about tangible reward!
Public Speaking is a great way to communicate your message, but you don’t want to allow fear to paralyze your delivery. Get in a public speaking class and allow the coaches to work with you on the vast benefits. It is relevant, required, and rewarding.