By Yow Kia

To solve a problem, we have to go down to the root to look for the root cause of the problem. This is what I learnt in my engineering career. I think this method does apply to public speaking as well. If there is a chance given to you to be a great speaker, I don’t think you will ignore it. But then, there may be something in your heart that keeps pulling you for not stepping forward to deliver your first speech. What is the greatest barrier that resists you to stepping forward? You have to find it out yourself, that’s the root cause of your speaking fear.

Here, I would like to suggest you to list down all the causes that resist you from speaking in public. After that, solve your problems one by one from the most severe one. Below shows some common problems that people fear about public speaking.

Root cause #1 – Language problem
=> A lot of people have the misconception that a great speaker must be able to speak flowery and beautifully. Actually, this is not true. The most important rule in public speaking is to deliver your message to your audience effectively. The simplest way is to speak in simple language, straight to the point. If you still find that you can’t even speak a simple sentence, then, go to take up a language course to brush up your language.

Root cause #2 – Stage fright
=> This would need a little bit of imagination. When you stand up on a stage, try to imagine that there is no audience; imagine that you are just standing inside your own room. I don’t think you will feel scared if you were asked to deliver your speech to yourself inside your own room. To do public speaking, eye-contact is very important. However, there is always a trick that you can maintain your eye-contact while not looking directly into audience’s eyes. You can take a spot around audience’s eyes to look at, for example, forehead, ears, nose etc. Concentrate on that particular spot and you won’t feel that the audience is looking at you.

Root cause #3 – Speech topic
=> I have heard this problem most of the time. A lot of people don’t know what topic to speak on. The simplest topic is always topics about yourself. Perhaps you could start a topic about your hobby, your family or your career. You will surely have more things to talk about when you are talking something direct related to yourself.

Root cause #4 – Lack of confidence
=> Confidence doesn’t come in one day. It takes time to build one’s confidence. Be patient, and just grab any opportunity to speak out. The more you speak, the more confidence you will gain. I would advise you to prepare your speech beforehand. Practise your speech up to one extend that your speech comes out fluently.

These four root causes are so far the common problems that most of the people are facing. I believe if you take effort to solve the problems that you are facing now, you will definitely be a better speaker.