Speaking in public means exposing oneself. And that is frightening because, as we have already seen, not only have we lacked training, but ideas from Antiquity remain astonishingly present today. One only has to glance at what is said on social media when a woman uses her voice to say something that unsettles the messengers of patriarchy.
And yet, if we want to transform our communities, participate in politics, and take part in decision-making, speaking in public is imperative. And to do that, we must expose ourselves, we must make ourselves visible.
Sociologist Brené Brown has conducted very compelling research on what she calls vulnerability, which she defines, in simple terms, as: “Having the courage to show up when you can’t control the outcome.”
Her research shows that courage, empathy, the power to be visible, and the bravery to be imperfect are all born from our capacity to be vulnerable. As she puts it:
“Vulnerability is hard. It’s scary. It feels dangerous. But it’s not nearly as hard, scary, or risky as getting to the end of our lives and asking ourselves: What if I had shown up?”
I recommend her books: The Power of Being Vulnerable and Stronger Than Ever. And, also, her talks on YouTube:
There’s also a Netflix conference: The Call of Courage. Here’s a preview.
So… You’ve decided to get involved in politics! It means you’ve decided to put yourself out there, to expose yourself. I’ll help you on this journey.
5 Keys to Public Speaking
1. Prepare yourself
Whether it’s a brief comment in a meeting or a speech in front of hundreds or thousands of people, preparation is key. In fact, improvisation is born out of long and thorough preparation. Here are three suggestions for that:
Print it out. Use numbered pages and a font size large enough to read comfortably. And of course, if you wear glasses, wear them!
Prepare the topic more than the speech itself. You should know your subject well. Even if someone else writes the speech for you, the advice is the same: read as much as you can about the topic.
Write what you are going to say – and read it out loud several times. If someone else has written the speech, even more reason to read it again and again. Practice intonation and pauses, underline what you want to emphasize. And never try to memorize it word for word.
2. Manage the fear
Fear is an ally, not an enemy. It keeps us alert and activates all our senses. The key is to control it and not let it take control of you. Three recommendations for that:
Breathe. Try box breathing: five counts to inhale, five to hold, five to exhale, five to hold. Repeat the cycle until you feel calm. You can also try inhaling for four counts, exhaling for four, holding for eight, and inhaling again. After calming the breath, smile! The brain “reads” that if you are breathing and smiling, everything is fine.
Stay present throughout the event. Keep all your senses anchored in the here and now.
Don’t reread your notes. Instead, look around the room and mentally describe the space. This also helps keep your brain away from the “fight or flight” mode.
3. Take your time
If possible, arrive early to familiarize yourself with the space. The podium can be very helpful, as it creates a kind of “barrier” that allows you to manage fear. However, podiums are often designed for tall people, so ask for a step if needed so you’re not hidden.
When you finish your speech, don’t rush off. Receive the applause calmly. And smile (remember, that helps calm your brain).
When it’s your turn, walk up slowly. Arrange your notes. Adjust the microphone and your posture.
If you need help, ask for it like a queen – with calm. For example, if the microphone squeals, calmly look toward the sound technician so they can fix it.
4. Connect with your audience
When you step on stage, take a few seconds (five, for example) to look around. If possible, make eye contact with people in the audience; if not, look just above their heads (no one will notice that you’re not looking at a specific person).
Smile and greet them – either with a gesture or with a phrase such as: “I’m very glad to be here with you.”
Starting with an anecdote can be very effective, but it must be connected to your core message and it must be true. You can also start with a piece of data, but it should be tangible and easy to grasp. For example:” Imagine a plane full of women crashes down. Everyone dies. Now, imagine one plane like that crashing every single day. That is the scale of the tragedy of femicides in Mexico.”
5. Use your gestures
If you are very nervous at first, you can keep your arms open on the podium.
Whenever you can, use your hands to emphasize a point, to touch your heart if you’re talking about yourself, to list things… In any case, keep them in sight.
When you finish speaking, don’t go around asking, “how did it go?” or “how did I do?”, that diminishes your power. Instead, afterward, alone or with someone you trust completely, do a self-assessment. But this should be kind and compassionate. First, note what went well. And, then, what you think you should improve.
Always remember: have the courage to be imperfect!
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Cecilia Lavalle is a feminist, journalist, and specialist in gender equality. She has over 20 years of experience as a speaker and trainer in political communication, women’s empowerment, and leadership…
