The Benefits of Public Speaking

Why should you become really good at public speaking?
The ability to speak confidently and convincingly in public is an asset to anyone who wants to take an active role in the classroom, workplace, and community. Mastering the skills of public speaking will accelerate your professional and personal goals.
Let me repeat that. MASTERING THE SKILLS OF PUBLIC SPEAKING WILL ACCELERATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL GOALS.
Public speaking is a vital part of communication, and effective communication is critical to living successfully and happily in today’s society. There have been studies that have shown “a direct correlation between how well you communicate and how well you are satisfied with life." Unless you live on a deserted island with a volleyball named Wilson, there is a good chance that you will need to master your oratory and nonverbal skills while incorporating and understanding the appropriate uses of rhetoric (if not for your personal and professional success, at least for your personal happiness).
Side note- Rhetoric is how we use (or study) language effectively and persuasively, or as the ancient Greeks said, “The use of words to change ideas.”
In a job survey performed by the National Association and Colleges and Employers (www.naceweb.org), they found that the top personal qualities and skills rated by Employers included:

1. Communication skills (written and verbal
2. Honesty/integrity
3. Interpersonal skills (relates well to others)
4. Motivation/initiative
5. Strong work ethic
6. Teamwork skills (works well with others)

As you can see, all of these tie into communication skills directly or indirectly.
Enhancing your ability to communicate through public speaking will:

1. Help you more quickly accomplish your personal and professional goals (and most likely achieve even a higher success than what you imagined).
2. Enhance your career as a student, employee, employer, family member, and all the different social circles (social networks) you belong to.
3. Allow you to explore and share your values. (Speaking to an audience whose knowledge or opinions differ than your own can quite rewarding).
4. Allow you to hone in your critical thinking skills and listening skills.

Please respond to one (or more) of the following questions.

1. How will public speaking help you accomplish your goals or how have you seen public speaking help you accomplish your goals?
2. How can public speaking help you enhance your career or how has it helped you in your career?
3. Why would speaking to an audience that does not share your some views be rewarding or have you had an opportunity to speak to an audience that does not share your views- what did it feel like and how did it turn out? What would you have done differently?
4. How does public speaking enhance your critical thinking skills and listening skills?