5 myths of public speaking

There are a lot of myths associated with public speaking. These myths stop us from taking the first step towards becoming confident communicators. Dispelling these doubts and having clarity on the facts will create awareness that public speaking doesn’t have to be a flight, fight, freeze affair, but an activity that you can face with confidence and poise.

Let us dispel some common myths:

• Great speakers are born: When we see phenomenal orators on stage speaking with eloquence and poise, we admire them. We tend to believe that they are gifted or born speakers. What we don’t see is the sweat and toil that goes on behind the stage. They have spent hundreds of hours practicing the fundamentals and then putting them into practice. They, too, have made mistakes and have been embarrassed on stage. So the next time you see a great orator, remember that you too can become a "Born Speaker," provided you take the route of great leaders and speakers.

• Great speakers are not nervous: There are two types of speakers: the nervous and the rest are liars. Even professional speakers get nervous, yet they have mastered the art of channelizing this energy into positive energy. The nervousness is dissipated through proper gestures, stage movement, and appropriate vocal variety with a passion to deliver a strong message to the audience. Even a zoo keeper in a tiger’s cage is nervous, yet he has learnt the art of taming the tiger with knowledge and skills acquired over the years.

• More practice makes you perfect: In reality, practice makes things permanent, more than perfect. A speaking coach will give you great tips and techniques and tell you - “The more you practice, the better you become." But if you start practicing without the close monitoring of a speaking coach, you may unintentionally end up becoming perfect at the wrong public speaking techniques.

• It is good to practice the style of great speakers: Can you imagine Mahatma Gandhi copying the speaking style of Martin Luther King? It would be a sheer disaster. Both of them were exceptional speakers but with distinct styles. On the journey of public speaking, you will acquire your own unique and authentic style. Is it okay for someone to copy your style? Be happy that you made a great impression, yet never advise a budding speaker to copy your style.

• Never ever memorize your speech: There are occasions when we have to memories a speech. For example, when you are delivering a speech in the form of a poem, or raising a perfect toast at a wedding, or using a quote in a speech, a word added or deleted will change the entire meaning of the message. Another situation when you may feel the need to memorize your speech is when you are practicing. It will help you get into a good rhythm, and later on you can put it down as cue points and deliver extempore without any difficulty. This is especially helpful for budding speakers. Memorizing is fine, but it depends on the individual and the context.