Know-How Exchange : Other

Public speaking in the workplace? I guess if your workplace is the theater or lecture circuit it's pretty important. If you are a software engineer or an accountant it's probably not so important. And there's plenty of middle ground where it wouldn't hurt, but it's not the most important skill.

It's not clear what it is you want to do, so it's almost impossible to answer your question.

I have a friend who is an HR consultant and he happens to be a superb speaker. He seeks out opportunities to do his job with public speaking solutions. I have other friends who are also successful consultants and who are not particularly good public speakers. It doesn't seem to be a big problem for them.

Net, you have to figure out what you want to do and how you want to do it. Public speaking shouldn't be the driver ... just one possible tool, unless public speaking is really essential for what you want to do.

Public speaking is an advanced communication skill.

All good communication skills will help you in the work place... and outside of the work place.

Of course, public speaking can be better for some job descriptions. And you need to know if this is true for yours.

But I think good communication skills are beneficial for anyone who is not a hermit. It helps you get more out of life. You will simply be better at communicating.

Are you already a decent/good verbal communicator? If it is not too much personal investment, I would definitely spend the time to strengthen these skills.

Are you a terrible communicator? Then you would probably also benefit from some sort of training.

Apparently most people fear public speaking more than death. Why live all your life with this fear? The best way to get over it is to confront it.