Public Speaking and Success - Term Paper Example

Even a cursory perusal of the human history testifies to the fact that the leaders in all ages and times, was it Alexander, Caesar, George Washington, Churchill, Kennedy or Martin Luther King owed a great part of their success to their public speaking skills. Public speaking is not merely about speaking, but rather involves a range of factors and attributes that help a competent public speaker emerge as a natural leader and a success story. Public Speaking Bolsters Self Confidence Self confidence is primarily about having an unshakable faith in one’s beliefs, values and aspirations.

Almost everybody agrees to the fact that public speaking is a challenge. It goes without saying that the willingness on the part of an individual to embrace a challenge, especially a challenge of the nature of public speaking that involves public audience is bound to make a person confident and self assured (Davidson 36). The very ability to convey one’s thoughts and feelings to an audience in a way that is interesting, involving and attention grabbing could positively be expected to do much good to a person’s self confidence and self esteem (Davidson 36).

In the realm of public speaking there is always a risk involved of ending up being a laughing stock of the people or getting oneself misunderstood (Davidson 112). Every time an individual dares to embrace this risk, one adds loads of substance and gumption to one’s personality. Eventually this faith in oneself infiltrates the varied other aspects of a person’s life and helps one face the challenges posed by life with an attitude of courage and daring that is the mark of a true leader. Public speaking instills an attitude of risk taking and a spirit of adventure in a person that make that person grasp the challenges posed by life with calm and poise.

For what could be a better measure of faith in one’s beliefs and aspirations than the willingness to express it before people. Public Speaking Enhances Visibility Irrespective of the existence of a millions of books on the topic of leadership and a range of courses existing in the academic institutions aimed at enhancing leadership abilities, the reality is that leadership is a scarce public resource in varied facets of public life, be it politics, business, academics, religion or social service.

In society there is no dearth of individuals who are competent and accomplished, yet not all manage to emerge as a leader. Public speaking enhances the visibility coefficient of an individual (Davidson 15). Besides, the willingness to speak before people in itself conveys much about the potential and abilities of a person. Of what use is all the accomplishment and ability of a person if the people who matter do not know about him. In contrast, even people with mediocre skills and proficiencies end up projecting themselves as capable and willing, every time they ascend the stage to express their views.

Hence, when it comes to choosing a leader, be it in the chambers of business and commerce, neighborhood clubs, social associations or academic programs, people mostly do not opt for the person who is most accomplished, but rather vie for the person who had been most visible. Public speaking is the most accessible and cheapest avenue for advertising oneself and one’s abilities. Transference of Skills Almost every successful public speaker and leader will undeniably and unexceptionally testify to the fact that