Communication is arguably the biggest soft skill there is in the professional world. More than simply exchanging information, effective communication skills boost productivity and help build strong working relationships. We communicate in many ways in the workplace, the written word and body language, to name a few, but without a doubt, one of the most prevalent is verbal. Here we’ll break down why speaking skills are so important in the workplace as well as offer techniques for developing this all-important form of communication.
Why is speaking confidently important at work?
A perhaps shocking statistic is that in an 8-person meeting, three people do 70 per cent of the talking¹. When you consider stats like this one, it becomes apparent how important it is to find one’s voice and develop confident speaking skills. You may or may not realise it, but the workplace is a competitive arena in which to be heard; speaking more confidently can see you become more employable, improve your performance, and progress faster in your career.
The rise of Imposter Syndrome
Many people in the workplace experience a lack of confidence in contributing ideas and making themselves heard due to Imposter Syndrome (the belief that you are underqualified for your position). A recent study shows that as many as 65% of professionals experience Imposter Syndrome in some way².
For the vast majority of Imposter Syndrome sufferers, their self-doubt is completely unsubstantiated and they, in fact, are perfectly qualified and competent enough to confidently drive ideas forward. Developing techniques to speak more confidently is a great way to break through these feelings of self-doubt to supercharge your career prospects and gain more fulfilment at work.
How to improve speaking skills
Take a course
The best way to hone your speaking skills is to take a professional course designed to help you develop your verbal communication. We host a number of certified speaking courses on behalf of our CPD members that can empower you to speak confidently and effectively in such a way that colleagues and peers will have no choice but to listen intently which you can find here.