How to Speak With Confidence at Work

Lesson 4: How to Speak With Confidence

This lesson focuses on improving public speaking and verbal communication skills.
You will learn how to present ideas clearly, engage your audience, and build confidence in meetings and presentations.
Strong speaking skills help ensure your ideas are heard and remembered.

Course Outline: Crash Course Business – Soft Skills

This course builds essential soft skills for work, career growth, and professional relationships.

1. INTRODUCTION: Business Soft Skills – Course Overview

2. LESSON 1: Why You Need Trust to Do Business

3. LESSON 2: Defense Against the Dark Arts of Influence

4. LESSON 3: The Secret to Business Writing

5. LESSON 4: How to Speak With Confidence

6. LESSON 5: How to Make a Resume Stand Out

7. LESSON 6: How to Ace the Interview

8. LESSON 7: Prepare to Negotiate Your Salary

9. LESSON 8: How to Become a Better Negotiator

10. LESSON 9: How to Set and Achieve SMART Goals

11. LESSON 10: Making Time Management Work for You

12. LESSON 11: How to Make Tough Decisions

13. LESSON 12: How to Avoid Teamwork Disasters

14. LESSON 13: How to Handle Conflict

15. LESSON 14: How to Find Your Leadership Style

16. LESSON 15: How to Create a Fair Workplace

17. LESSON 16: The Many Forms of Power

18. LESSON 17: How to Avoid Burnout

Why Public Speaking Feels So Intimidating

Public speaking anxiety often feels like a nightmare scenario.
Standing unprepared in front of others can make you feel exposed, helpless, and alone.

This lesson is designed to help you avoid that feeling—whether you are presenting on stage or speaking one-on-one with your boss.

Public Speaking Happens More Often Than You Think

Public speaking is not limited to big presentations.

In your career, you may need to:

• Pitch an idea

• Speak in meetings

• Communicate with coworkers

• Give personal speeches, such as at weddings

Everyday conversations are also opportunities to practice speaking skills.

How You Speak Builds Trust

No matter your confidence level, you can always improve how you speak.

Effective speakers:

• Avoid reading directly from slides

• Maintain a natural, conversational tone

• Use visuals instead of text-heavy slides

Speaking naturally prevents you from sounding robotic and helps build trust with your audience.

Use Visuals and Eye Contact

If your audience is reading large amounts of text, the message could have been written instead.

Strong speakers:

• Use visual-heavy slides

• Make eye contact to show engagement

• Avoid focusing on notes or fixed objects

If direct eye contact feels uncomfortable, looking at foreheads can help.

The SUCCES Framework for Speaking

To deliver ideas clearly, aim for SUCCES:

Simple

Focus on one main idea.
Keep your message clear and memorable.

Unexpected

Do something engaging to capture attention without misleading your audience.

Concrete

Use clear examples and familiar references to make ideas stick.

Credible

Support your message with facts, data, or expert insight.

Emotional

Make your audience care by connecting to values and identity.

Stories

Stories inspire action and help people remember your message.

Confidence Comes From Preparation

Confidence is built through:

• Knowing your content

• Practicing delivery

• Understanding your audience

Avoid uncertain language and speak clearly to strengthen credibility.

Audience Analysis Matters When Speaking

Before speaking, consider:

• Who your audience is

• What they care about

• What questions they may have

Audience awareness helps you build emotional influence and trust.

The Power of Active Listening

Good speakers are also good listeners.

Active listening means:

• Focusing fully on the speaker

• Avoiding interruptions

• Allowing pauses for thought

Paraphrasing what others say helps confirm understanding and builds respect.

Practice Makes You Better

Practice prepares you for high-stakes moments.

Helpful practice techniques include:

• Recording yourself speaking

• Watching for pacing, posture, and clarity

• Practicing with different audiences

Practice builds comfort and helps refine delivery.

Key Takeaways

• Public speaking happens in everyday work situations

• Strong delivery builds trust and influence

• SUCCES provides a framework for clear communication

• Active listening improves conversations

• Practice develops confidence and clarity

In the next lesson, you will learn how to apply your communication skills to navigating the job search.

FAQ

1. Is public speaking only for large audiences?
No. It includes meetings, pitches, and everyday workplace conversations.

2. How can I sound more confident when speaking?
Prepare, avoid uncertain language, and practice active listening.

3. What is the best way to improve public speaking skills?
Consistent practice, feedback, and self-review.

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