The power of body language & public Speaking

Tiffany talks us through the pleasure and pain of public speaking - and where we can go to practice if we need a safe space.

This time last year, I found myself standing alone at the front of a stage, looking out at a small crowd. Three large screens behind me broadcasted my every move to viewers elsewhere. I gripped the PowerPoint clicker tightly in my left hand and took one last look at the audience.
The voice in my headset signalled it was time to begin.

Delivering a TED talk on AI and healthcare, two subjects I’m deeply passionate about, is an experience that will stay with me for years to come. Sharing my ideas with an unfamiliar audience not only boosted my confidence and self-esteem, but the countless hours spent researching and refining my talk sharpened my analytical skills as well.

But public speaking isn’t confined to the iconic red circle of TED. Even something as seemingly simple as giving a presentation to your classmates can have a profound impact. I believe public speaking is an essential life skill, and learning to master it can significantly enrich your life. Here’s why it’s so powerful and how you can start tapping into it!

Benefits of public speaking:
Where to begin? There are countless benefits to public speaking, but perhaps the most profound is the boost it gives to your confidence. Few experiences are as nerve-wracking as standing in front of an audience, feeling their eyes and attention fixating on you.
​In those moments, it's easy to be consumed by anxiety: What are they thinking? Am I speaking too fast? Too slow? Is my presentation interesting enough? Why aren’t they looking at me? Why ARE they looking at me?
Learning to quiet these thoughts can be a tough journey, but once you do, the sense of empowerment is unmatched - you’ll feel unstoppable. Part of the reason why is that public speaking also enhances your communication skills. It can make interacting with others feel much easier and more fulfilling. It can help you to streamline your thoughts and formulate better ways to express them with others. Since communication is such an important part of life, the ability to do it well is paramount.

Public speaking also helps sharpen your critical thinking skills. Preparing a speech requires organising your thoughts in a logical and coherent manner. This planning process demands foresight and forces you to discard ideas that don’t quite fit. It’s also an excellent way to deepen your knowledge. A great example is the Feynman technique, where you explain what you’ve learned to others in simple terms to enhance your own understanding. This is why presentations are a popular homework task in schools - if done well, you’re not just presenting; you’re learning too.

The potential for personal growth is vast, and the more you practise, the better you become.

Author

Tiffany Igharoro is a sixth form student. One of her favourite pastimes is writing as it helps her organise her thoughts creatively and dynamically. She has won awards and prizes for poetry, academic and scientific writing and short stories. Recently, she won a nationwide historical essay competition that opened her eyes to the importance of how things are told, and the impact ordinary people have on the world. She studied art GCSE and believes there is something incredible about finding links between drama, art and maths.

Picture: Jametlene Reskp @Unsplash