Public Speaking is for Introverts too |  Kay Heald,

If you suffer from the sweaty palms, dry mouth and the instinct to run away when faced with giving business presentations you are not alone!

I used to blame this response on being shy. However, I now know that what I thought was ‘shyness’ for all those years at school and at work was actually a predisposition to ‘introversion’.

The term refers to a particular way we energise ourselves. While extroverts are energised by being around people, introverts can also enjoy the company of others but this will use up their energy. This means that there will come a point when they need to go off to recharge their batteries.

The Toolkit for Introvert speakers

Authenticity is a key skill for all successful orators. So, rather than thinking of my introversion as an impediment, I started to actively look for ways to turn this trait into an asset.

Encouragingly, when I started practising public speaking in a safe and supportive environment, I discovered there were lots of ways to help channel my introverted behaviour and bolster my confidence. I have been developing my own ‘introverted public speaking’ toolkit ever since.

Here are six tips to help with your next presentation.

1. Find your authenticity

The world is full of great introverted public speakers, but their introversion is rarely noticed. Barack Obama is just one of many high-profile introverted orators who overcame public speaking anxiety by focusing on a central theme, cause or mission that had greater importance than his own nerves.

When you talk passionately about a subject, not only is the content easier to remember, but it helps you feel more confident too.

2. Prepare the ground

Take your time to prepare a structured and well-crafted speech, with a clear beginning, middle and end. Research your intended audience and make sure you structure the speech for their benefit rather than yours. This preparatory process is excellent for calming the nerves of an introvert, as it provides the infrastructure for a speech that acts like a virtual ‘comfort blanket’ for when you are both rehearsing and delivering your talk.

My first talk took eight weeks to construct, it now takes about four. Even though subject material can vary widely, I have identified certain themes and structures that work well for me, such as starting with an open question for the audience or including a call to action at the end of a speech.

3. Practice

Become familiar with the content, the pace and style of your speech, by practicing frequently. Include practice in front of a mirror, onto a mobile device and in front of a couple of carefully chosen friendly faces. This enables an introvert to convert their speech into a performance, allowing them to develop a suitable persona that gives them the necessary inner-confidence to step into the limelight.

I like to think of my public speaking persona as my more confident (and slightly extrovert) virtual twin – still recognisably me, but with a few less introverted characteristics. It wasn’t until I started recording my rehearsal speeches that I noticed crutch and filler words such as ‘err’ and ‘so’ and a rather subtle but annoying gentle smacking of the lips as I pondered my next points. I’m now working on reducing these.

4. ‘Let’s Pretend’

You can control the negative and catastrophising elements of your brain, by literally visualising helpful cues and positive images to create a more conducive environment in which to carry out your performance. This helps combat the natural tendency of introverts to want to escape from a position of vulnerability and exposure.

For one of my early talks, a more experienced public speaker shared a popular visualisation technique, to turn the heads of an audience into cabbages, but I found this too distracting. However, for me, I found turning them into friendly emojis made all the difference!

6. Always Re-energise

Both extroverts and introverts will experience a surge of adrenalin and be rewarded with dopamine when completing a successful speech. However, it is really important that, as an introvert, you recognise the drain this will have on your energy levels. Build in quality time that allows you to re-energise and recharge.

I re-energise with a good book curled up in a favourite armchair, but one of my introverted friends likes a long solitary walk in the countryside – though a quiet hotel corridor works too.

5. Learning journey

Treat your public speaking engagements as ongoing learning opportunities. This longer-term approach suits introverts, as they have a tendency to be over-critical of themselves and can easily undermine their confidence at an early stage.

It can be useful to have a friend in the audience who can help review your speech afterwards in a constructive way.

Please use these tips and you’ll be amazed at the positive feedback you get after your speeches and presentations.

 

 

Introvert Kay Heald is from Toastmasters International, a not-for-profit organisation that provides communication and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. Members follow a structured educational programme to gain skills and confidence in public and impromptu speaking, chairing meetings and time management. To find your nearest club, visit www.toastmasters.org|@ToastmastersUKI