How public speaking can help turn you into an industry leader

Becoming a leader means more than just rising within your own organization. You can become a leader at home, at work, in your community and certainly within your industry. 

One avenue involves public speaking, which does not come naturally to every professional. It is an art form that takes practice and intention, as well as one of the most prolific methods of communication — yet also one of the most dreaded. 

Why so? Well, if you're an introvert like me, nerves fray, your stomach churns and fear can be all too consuming. However, if you believe in what you're doing and saying, it is more than well worth the plunge.

Public speaking in its various forms gives us professionals the opportunity and platform to inform an audience, share different perspectives and increase our level of respect as an industry thought leader. 

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Additionally, it is important to focus on the fact that stats are great. However, people are emotional creatures. Learning how to tell a story to bring your audience into the key elements of your facts will garner much positive feedback. Remember, we like bedtime stories, not bedtime stats.

There are a few key questions that arise when contemplating whether or not it is worth spending the time, energy and resources to focus on public speaking.

Why is public speaking beneficial in the first place?
This may seem hard to grasp at first, but it is fantastic for career advancement. After speaking on multiple occasions, you can build a reputation for being a thought leader among your peers, which provides street credibility. Additionally, since most professionals do not wake up one morning and become a fantastic public speaker, it is a great way to improve communication skills, as well as personal and professional development.

If you're someone who struggles with confidence, this is a wonderful way to conquer your fears and actually shine in front of your audience and peers. And don't worry about revealing your "secret sauce" to competitors. Public speaking is about punching your ticket to a higher level of doing business that involves fostering mutual respect, admiration and partnerships. 

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What happens if I'm too shy to get on stage?
Start small and build up. Consider a virtual panel session where you are not solo on stage. Grab your closest colleagues and create a "masterclass" focused on a certain topic you believe in and have one of them moderate the session for you. Then — hear me out — record and watch it back. You'll soon build confidence and will get better at this. If you're anything like me, you never really feel ready, but sooner or later, you'll notice you are saying "yes" to new opportunities rather than shying away from them. 

Does public speaking mean I have to be a keynote speaker?
While it is common to immediately think about a solo stage presence, it just means speaking in public in front of an audience. It is not necessarily having to be the one person handling a presentation with hundreds of eyes on you. There are so many forms of public speaking. Here are some examples:

• Be a panelist
  This is a fantastic way to dip your toe in the water of public speaking without the fright or worry about being alone on stage and having all eyes on you. On a panel discussion, you share the stage, virtual or in-person, with other subject matter experts and the idea here is to chime in frequently with your advice to the audience.

• Moderate a panel
  There is a common misconception in viewing a panel that the moderator is not a subject matter expert, but au contraire. The moderator not only helps shine light on the panelists, but also sets the stage by providing colorful commentary, ideas and suggestions while connecting panelist responses to another. This is a skill, but one that can be mastered.

• Be a keynote speaker
  This is most likely the pinnacle of public speaking, and where storytelling has its day in the spotlight. 

What if I have nothing good to say?
I bet you do! You are a benefit adviser, which means you have clients who already have found trust in the items you advise them on. That is credibility in and of itself. Additionally, find your "why" and don't be shy about sharing this with others. A virtual or in-person stage is a fantastic way to share your why and there will be individuals listening who resonate with the things you have to say, but more importantly, with the things you believe in.

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No matter what, the best panels, keynotes and moderators speak not only to those on stage with them, but also to the audience. Remember, you're there to educate and bring them in on the entire experience.

In order to drive innovation, we need perspectives from a multitude of diverse backgrounds and positions. Then, couple this with the belief that you have something to give, and your energy and confidence grows — and you just might surprise yourself.

It also doesn't hurt to try. If you are presented an opportunity to speak, say "yes" and figure it out later. If you have some things to say, put yourself out there, start small and just remember to be yourself. There's only one you and that's why you were chosen to lead a talk or be the talk. We are in the people business, and we buy from those we trust.